Hospice at Home

Honouring dying by deepening the spiritual, emotional and physical domains of care

Institutionalized hospice infrastructure and care is often cost-prohibitive, leaving many communities with enormous challenges for how to adequately address compassionate end-of-life care. Hospice at Home provides a solution.

Nearly half of people with terminally ill cancer are admitted to hospital to receive palliative care

About Hospice at Home

Wherever someone lays their head, we will make their hospice bed.

The greatest gap in end-of-life care is the shortage of beds in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and residential hospices for the final weeks and days of life. Hospice at Home bridges this gap by supporting individuals to die in the place they call home, whether that’s a traditional home, long-term care facility, group home, shelter, prison cell, or elsewhere.

Through this program, HHA-trained Death Doulas provide essential guidance and support with planning, legacy work, and bedside support during the final stages of life. Their presence ensures that individuals can die with peace, dignity, and a sense of control over their dying experience.

Between 35% and 70% of deaths occur in hospitals, highlighting a gap between this reality and most individuals' wish to die at home.

How Hospice at Home Helps

HHA-Trained Death Doula Support

Trained to support within the four domains of care (planning, legacy, at the bedside, and grief), HHA Death Doulas are the foundation of the Hospice at Home program. When a Death Doula becomes part of a care team, this person is able to work directly with the person facing death, those who love them, and any other member of the care team to ensure that everything possible is being done so that a death is dignified, peaceful, and provided with culturally sensitive human connection.

HHA Death Doula Vigil Team

Our Death Doula Vigil Team is on-call in select regions to provide direct support to individuals facing death, especially when family members are limited or unavailable. They are ready to assist during the final hours and minutes, ensuring that no one dies alone, and offering on-site support to the family or care team.

Long-Term Care 4-Point Plan

For many aging people in this country, a Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility is their home. When someone is facing death in their LTC home resources are often extremely limited. HHA has a specific program/plan that is made available to assist in growing the circle of care wider while supporting the family along the way.

The Diana Pathway

While MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) is legal in Canada, it remains highly controversial, leading to significant limitations in support for those considering or accessing MAiD. The Diana Pathway, named after the first person to utilize Hospice at Home while accessing MAiD, offers specialized care within the four domains of legacy, planning, bedside support, and grief, tailored to the unique needs of individuals pursuing Medical Assistance in Dying.

No Place Like Home

'No Place Like Home' aims to create inclusive and affirming environments for LGBT+ older adults in Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities, ensuring they receive the competent and dignified end-of-life care they deserve.

Get Involved

Volunteer

Join our Project Planning Teams: Contribute your skills to help us develop Hospice at Home’s important initiatives. Make a real difference in the ability of specific populations - such as older adults, LGBT+ elders, or houseless individuals - to die well wherever they call home. Learn more about our current focus areas, and apply to volunteer.

Walk with Us

We believe in the power of remembrance, education, and community in providing comfort to those navigating dying, death, grief and loss. Join our Moonlit Memory Walk to support the Hospice at Home program and help us provide compassionate end-of-life care for all.

This year, “Dorothy’s Dream Team” is walking in support of our “No Place Like Home” program. Join or donate to their team to help us address the specific needs of LGBT+ older adults as they approach the end of life.

Partner with Us

Is your organization or care facility committed to providing truly inclusive and equitable care? We partner with agencies to ensure that their clients and community members receive the quality end-of-life care they deserve. Contact us to explore how your team can benefit from our staff and volunteer training, population-specific program customization, death education workshops, and the integration of HHA Death Doulas into your care teams.

If you need support or would like to inquire about our services in your area, get in touch with us at info@homehospiceassociation.com.

Your donation enables us to meet the practical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those facing death and their loved ones, wherever they call home. Together, we can greatly enhance the quality of life and death for communities across Canada, providing them with the comfort of knowing that their well-being and dignity are valued and respected.

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Our Partners

We are incredibly thankful for the meaningful collaboration and generous support of our partners:

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