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Mailing Address:
2649 - 2nd Avenue
Port Alberni, BC
V9Y 1Z8
Tel: (250) 723-4478
Fax: (250) 723-4471
BCHPCA Components of Care
Administration
The Alberni Valley Hospice Society has operated as a charitable organization since 1982. It is administered by a nine member board. There are two part-time employees, a hospice coordinator/bereavement facilitator and an office assistant. Funding comes from ‘in memoriam’ donations, service clubs, private donations, direct access lottery grants and fund raising efforts of the volunteers and Board. All programs and services are offered free of charge to any resident of the Alberni Valley.
Volunteer Program
Seventy-five trained volunteers provide emotional and spiritual support and respite for palliative clients and their families in homes, hospital, and care facilities. Volunteers also facilitate other aspects of our programs. Care and Share meetings take place once a month for peer support and education. A volunteer newsletter is produced four times per year. Service awards are presented at the AGM.
Home Program
Working with Port Alberni Palliative Care Team, Hospice provides volunteers for 1:1 support, respite, and vigil sitting in homes. Palliative Rounds, held every 2 weeks with the P.C. coordinator, home support, home care and hospital nurses, and hospice, provide a forum for sharing information and coordination of care.
Hospital Program
Hospice is highly visible and accepted on the hospital units with the hospice coordinator making regular visits to the wards to discuss palliative clients. Volunteers visit their assigned clients in hospital.
Free Standing Hospice
Ty Watson Hospice Centre, operated by a separate board of directors has undergone extensive renovations and is now ready to accept clients as soon as funding for staff is in place. It can accommodate five people.
Spiritual and Pastoral Care
Spiritual and Pastoral Care is provided through local churches, the hospital chaplain and volunteers.
Programs
PALLIATIVE
Palliative clients and families are followed by their volunteer(s), as needed, and provide support in a knowledgeable, compassionate, and confidential manner.
BEREAVEMENT
An eight week Bereavement support group and a bereavement walking group are offered throughout the year as numbers warrant.
Ongoing telephone or 1:1 bereavement support is offered for up to 1 year after death.
Crisis support is available. Referrals are made to other community resources, as appropriate.
CAREGIVERS TIME-OUT GROUP
An ongoing open group for caregivers of clients with palliative OR long term chronic illnesses is offered twice a month, for support and education.
HEALING TOUCH/REIKI
Trained or in-training volunteers offer Healing Touch/Reiki to palliative clients, caregivers, and to persons receiving cancer therapy (not considered palliative) by appointment.
LIBRARY RESOURCES
Books and videos are offered on loan to members of the community.
Education and Professional Training
All hospice volunteers attend initial training of 32 hours. Ongoing education sessions take place 6-8 times per year.
Evaluation and Research
Evaluation program initiated in the Fall of 1998 through the Port Alberni Palliative Advisory Committee.
Organization Mission Statement
The Alberni Valley Hospice Society is a volunteer organization whose purpose is to provide compassionate, supportive, non-medical care to persons affected by life threatening illness, death and bereavement; and to educate the public about end-of-life and bereavement care in our community.
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