Hospice Care: Comfort in the Final Months of Life
Hospice care is a specific type of palliative care for people who are believed to be in the final months of life. The focus shifts fully to comfort, dignity, and emotional support rather than curative treatment.
Hospice care typically begins when a person has a life expectancy of about six months or less. At this stage, treatments aimed at curing illness stop, and care is centered on symptom management, pain relief, and quality of life. Hospice care can be provided in a hospice residence or, in some cases, at home.
Hospice care also supports families and caregivers, offering guidance, reassurance, and emotional support throughout the end-of-life journey.
How Hospice Care and Palliative Care Are Similar
Both hospice care and palliative care share common goals. They focus on comfort, quality of life, emotional, social, and spiritual support, and coordinated care alongside a healthcare team. Both aim to reduce stress, fear, and suffering for individuals and families.
The key difference is timing. Palliative care can begin at any stage of illness, while hospice care is reserved for the final months of life.
Where ABNWPCS Fits In
As the only palliative care society serving northwest Alberta at this level, Alberta Northwest Palliative Care Society supports individuals and families no matter where they are on their care journey, from diagnosis through end of life and beyond.
Compassionate Volunteer Support
We provide trained volunteers who offer companionship, emotional support, system navigation help, Vigil Care, and caregiver respite. These services complement both palliative and hospice care and are available across the region.
Our volunteers are there to listen, sit quietly, provide comfort, and offer reassurance during some of life’s most difficult moments.
Community Education
Many people we meet are unsure about the difference between palliative care and hospice care. Education is a key part of our mission.
By clearing up misunderstandings, we help families access support earlier, reduce fear around care, and make informed decisions that feel right for them.
Grief and Bereavement Support
Grief does not begin only after a death, and it does not follow a straight path. We offer grief support that meets people where they are, including one-on-one grief support, the Good Grief Community group, youth and adult grief resources, and the Quiet Reflections grief library with materials for all ages and types of grief.
Programs That Support Quality of Life
Our volunteer-led programs help reduce isolation and increase comfort at every stage of illness. These include Friendly Visitors, Helping Hands, Pen Pals, Comfort Care Bags, the Sheepskin Loaner Program, the iPad Loaner Program, and Vigil Care.
These programs support people in hospice care, palliative care, long-term care, and at home.
Partnerships Across the Region
We work closely with Alberta Health Services, Prairie Lakes Hospice, long-term care homes, seniors lodges, funeral homes, and other nonprofit organizations to help ensure families across northwest Alberta have access to coordinated, compassionate support.
Why Understanding the Difference Matters
Understanding the difference between palliative care and hospice care helps families access support earlier, reduce stress and uncertainty, make informed care decisions, connect with grief support sooner, and feel reassured that they are not alone.
Our Commitment to the Community
At Alberta Northwest Palliative Care Society, our focus is education, compassion, and community-centred care. Whether someone is receiving palliative care early in their diagnosis or transitioning into hospice care, we are here to support them with warmth, dignity, and understanding.
If you or someone you know has a palliative diagnosis and could benefit from support, we encourage you to reach out.