Palliative Care
Back to ResourcesB.C. Palliative Care Benefits Program
Assists people of all ages to receive end of life services including care at home. A physician referral is required for this program. It provides some nursing care, medical supplies / equipment and medications. All patients in this program have the following services available to them:
- Home Care – Health care support at home including nursing.
- Lion’s Gate Hospital – Palliative care unit for assessment and acute care.
- North Shore Hospice – Supportive end of life care
- Palliative Supportive Care Program – Providing free counselling to patients, family members and caregivers who are in the North Shore Palliative Care Benefits Program. 604-988-3131 ext. 4701
Expected Death at Home
A physician can complete an “Expected/Planned Home Death” form so that you can call the funeral home directly and not involve B.C. Ambulance service if desired.
Transport of Deceased
All funeral homes will pick up a deceased person on Bowen and take to their facility during BC Ferry hours. You should take the time to make advanced arrangements with the home of your choice. It is not imperative to transfer a deceased person from your home during the night if you’re comfortable waiting until the early morning for the funeral home to pick up the body.
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) is legal in Canada and is a conversation you can have with your primary care provider. There are resources online to learn more about this intervention.
Memorial Society of B.C.
A non-profit organization that has negotiated preferred pricing for members for funeral planning and services. Membership fee is $40 / lifetime. Contact 1-888-816-5902 – www.memorialsocietybc.org
The Bowen Threshold Singers
When invited, we send two to four singers, who offer soft simple, restless songs to comfort, support and honour those at the thresholds of life, as well as their families and caregivers. Contact below:
Email: bowen@thresholdchoir.org
Website: www.thresholdchoir.org
Bowen Death Care
Bowen Death Care is a collective of death doulas, facilitators, educators, and home support caregivers. They offer experiential workshops, events, and courses to help you befriend your mortality, live a meaningful life, and die well.
Death Doulas provide support, comfort and planning for the dying and their families. Much like a birth doula for the birth process, they serve the dying in the dying process, to provide an opportunity for consciousness, closure and comfort at end of life.
Email: bowendeathcare@gmail.com
Website: www.bowendeathcare.com