Is my diagnosis correct?
What is Palliative care?
How much time?
What will I experience?
How will my family and I cope?

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It's About Quality of Life

If you have been living with, or have recently received a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, you may be asking questions like those above. One meeting with a doctor can turn our whole lives upside down if that consultation includes news of a serious diagnosis.

The Hospice Society of Camrose & District is here as a support for you and your family as you seek quality of life in the face of a life-limiting illness. You have our compassion as you steer your way along unfamiliar paths.

Click the GREEN button below if you would like to access our trained palliative care volunteers. Hospice volunteers provide support to those with a life-limiting illness, and their families. Hospice care is available in hospitals, long-term care centers, and in your home. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Joy LeBlanc, at 587-322-9269 for more information. 

It's About Quality of Life

Access Your Local Home Care

You may access Alberta Home Care, without referral, to receive support for chronic and palliative illness.

Please click on the GREEN button below for more information. 

Access Your Local Home Care

Seniors' Centre Without Walls

Seniors' Centre Without Walls

A seniors’ centre from the comfort of your own home! This Edmonton PCN program offers a variety of interactive telephone-based social and health programming, free of charge. Provides opportunities to socialize, learn new skills and stay connected. New series of participant-selected topics every four months. Program funded in part by the Government of Canada`s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

Learn more

Palliative Care – You are a bridge


This video animation compares palliative care to the foundation of a bridge. While illness may weaken the foundation, the palliative care team provides a stronger layer of support.

The following definition of palliative care was taken from the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care “Norms of Practice”:

“Hospice palliative care aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of living and dying."
Palliative Care – You are a bridge

Benefits of early palliative care

Benefits of early palliative care

Bill's Story Let's Talk Series

Bill's Story - talking together - Facing death and dying This short film explores the important role that friends and neighbours have in supporting someone who is seriously ill and their family. Health Promoting Palliative Care works with communities as people care for and support each other. Be United because united we make a difference.
Bill's Story Let's Talk Series

When a Child is Seriously Ill: Living Each Day

Kimberley Widger, MN PhD candidate, and research scientist from the Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, shares stories of seriously ill children, how they approach end of life and their determination to live each day.
When a Child is Seriously Ill: Living Each Day
Hospice palliative care strives to help Individuals and families:
 
  • Address physical, psychological, social, spiritual and practical issues, and their associated expectations, needs, hopes and fears.
 
  • Prepare for and manage self-determined life closure and the dying process.
 
  • Cope with loss and grief during the illness and bereavement.

Hospice palliative care is appropriate for any patient and/or family living with, or at risk of developing, a life-threatening illness due to any diagnosis, with any prognosis, regardless of age, and at any time they have unmet expectations and/or needs, and are prepared to accept care.”
(A Model to Guide Hospice Palliative Care. © Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, Ottawa, Canada, 2002.)

Online Resources

Scroll down for information on the following:
 
  • Hospice and Palliative Information
  • Caregiver Information
  • Prepared Meals
  • Travel Accommodation
  • Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)
  • Community Resources 
Prepared Meals:

Bashaw Meals on Wheels
Contact: Sarah Unsworth, 780-372-4074,
Email: bdssoffice1@gmail.com

Camrose Meals on Wheels (Home Support Services)
http://www.camrosefcss.ca/home_support_meals_on_wheels/

Daysland Meals on Wheels, Daysland Health Center
Contact: 780-374-3746

Killam Meals on Wheels
Contact: Joan Hill, 780-385-3741

Sedgewick Meals on Wheels – through “The Wooden Spoon”
http://www.sedgewick.ca/ServicesandInformation/Meals%20on%20Wheels.pdf

Tofield/Ryley Meals on Wheels
http://fcssaa.org/sites/default/files/MOW%20Brochure%2C%20Tofiled-Ryley-Beaver.pdf

Viking/Holden/Beaver County East Meals on Wheels
Viking/Beaver Office: 780-336-4024
Holden Office: 780-688-3928

Westaskiwin Meals on Wheels (Home Support Services)
http://www.wetaskiwin.ca/index.aspx?NID=719
Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)

FCSS provides a variety of services, depending on the location, to enhance the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities. Many of these services are geared to seniors, as well as to those with a life-limiting illness, regardless of age.

For a list of specific regional supports contact the FCSS nearest you.

Camrose and District Support Services
http://www.camrosefcss.ca/

East Central Region FCSS Contact List (by community)
http://www.fcssaa.org/sites/default/files/East%20Central%20Program%20Contact%20List%2C%20June%20%2717.pdf

Living at Home Resources:

AHS Home Care (choose location on right side menu)
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/facility.aspx?id=1000297&service=7501

AHS Palliative Care (choose location on right side menu)
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/facility.aspx?id=1000297&service=5307

Wainwright FCSS Living at Home Program
The Living at Home Program helps maintain basic home cleaning, prepare meals and/or grocery shopping, assisting seniors to remain living independently.

The program serves seniors residing in Chauvin, Edgerton and Irma, rural areas of the MD of Wainwright and within the Town of Wainwright.
The program is delivered by L@H Assistants who are reliable and responsible individuals who have been carefully screened and hired for their caring attitude towards people as well as their practical experience.

Service is provided on the basis of need. The fee is up to $17 per hour based on income. For more information on this rate, please contact the Wainwright & District FCS office.

Community Resources Available for Your Support:
Tofield Handi-Van Society
An accessible affordable transportation option for Tofield and Area.
Regular Shuttle Service with-in Tofield-Wednesdays & Thursdays 9:00 am-2:30 pm.
Coupon Book available…$20 for 5 shuttle coupons. Private bookings are available at $1.00 per km and the hourly wage of the driver. The Handi-Van seats 18, or 14 with 4 wheelchairs. Please call for more information or to book the shuttle: 780-662-3269

Viking Handi-Van Society
Residents in the Viking and Kinsella area can obtain service of the Viking Handi-Van. The bus seats 12 people, plus has room for 3 wheelchairs.
The current rate is; $50 booking fee, $1.00 per kilometer, plus $40 per hour, which includes the driver. A shuttle service for seniors and residents with disabilities in Viking runs one day per week at a rate of $5 per person. This shuttle service also includes transportation to and from Kinsella. For more information contact: Kerri Davis (780) 385-1757

Camrose Caregivers Support Group - US (Understanding Support)
Contact: Joan
Phone: 780-672-9579
Meeting Place: Camrose United Church
Description:
A support group that provides "Understanding Support" for people who are or have been the caregiver for a loved one with chronic illness.  US supports you through issues that cause stress and burn-out; offer help/suggestions for coping with day-to-day care-giving.  Meets 1st. & 3rd. Wednesday @ 1:30 p.m. at the Camrose United Church.
Regular Meeting: Every 1st & 3rd Tuesday @ 1:30 p.m.

Alzheimer's Caregiver's Support Group
Contact: Tena Lansing (Crossroads Day Program Manager)
Phone: (780) 679-3046
Phone Alt: (780)679-3045
Website: www.thebethanygroup.ca
Address: 4612-53 St. Camrose, AB T4V 1Y6
Meeting Place: Rosehaven Care Centre-2nd Floor Multipurpose Room Description: If you are caring for a loved one who has memory loss and you are their primary caregiver, this group will provide support and resource ideas.
Regular Meeting: 3rd Thursday of every month 1:30 pm

Rose City Handivan Society
Contact: Dale Debnam (Coordinator)
Phone: 780-672-8777
Email: handivan@cable-lynx.net
Address: 5415 - 49 Ave. Camrose, AB T4V 0N6
Description: Specialized transportation for people with: mobility aids (wheelchairs/walker); senior citizens with physical disability, cognitive and/or developmental disability who cannot use typical transportation.

Service Options for Seniors (SOS)
Phone: 780-672-4131, toll free: 1-866-672-4131
Website: http://www.camroseseniorsinfo.ca/
Address: #102, 4909A-48 St, Camrose, T4V 1L7
Description: Located in Camrose, SOS provides information to Seniors and their support networks in the Central Alberta Region.
This website is intended to assist family members of seniors, and seniors in accessing information from a variety of sources on programs and services offered.