A new hospice in Langley will soon provide comfort and care to people who are in their last weeks to months of life, with funding announced for a new 15-bed hospice residence.

“Terminal illness is emotionally and physically exhausting for patients and their family,” said Rich Coleman, Minister Responsible for Housing and MLA for Fort Langley-Aldergrove. “These new hospice beds will ensure the Langley Hospice Society can offer increased access to the support and services that patients and their families need during a difficult time.”

“As the local MLA I am pleased to announce a new hospice facility for the community,” said Mary Polak, MLA for Langley. “Patients and their families deserve supports and service close to home when they need it most. This new facility will provide that in a home-like atmosphere while patients receive end-of-life care.”

The B.C. government will provide a $5-million grant toward the capital costs of the hospice, including $3 million through the Investment in Housing Innovation Initiative and $2 million from Fraser Health. The balance of the capital costs of $2 million has been raised through donations.

“Providing comfort care, whether that’s physical, emotional or spiritual, is our philosophy to caring for people living their last stage of life,” said Michael Marchbank, president and CEO, Fraser Health. “We are pleased to partner and work with the Langley Hospice Society on this new hospice facility and the support they provide patients and families.”

Located at 52 Ave. and 219A St. in the Township of Langley, the new free-standing hospice will replace the current 10-bed hospice in the Maple Hill Residential Care building on the Langley Memorial Hospital grounds.

“The BC Centre for Palliative Care is proud to support the development and implementation of a free-standing hospice in Langley, providing area residents with access to compassionate, person-centred care and resources,” said Dr. Doris Barwich, executive director, BC Centre for Palliative Care.

“We are very grateful for all of the support we have received from Fraser Health, BC Housing, BC Centre for Palliative Care, and our donors in helping us to achieve this goal, as well as the Ministry of Health’s commitment to increase hospice beds in Langley,” said Robert Carpenter, board vice-president, Langley Hospice Society.

Staff at the new residence will provide health-care needs along with specialized palliative symptom management. Other staff will include a spiritual health practitioner, palliative clinical pharmacist and clinical nurse specialist. Langley Hospice Society volunteers will support hospice patients and families on site daily.

“As our community continues to grow, we need to provide care services for residents in all stages of life,” said Township of Langley Mayor Jack Froese. “We are so pleased that this new hospice facility will give people reaching the end of their life’s journey, their families, and those who are bereaved, the services and compassionate support they need.”

Construction of the new hospice will begin in summer 2017, with patients and families accessing the beds in 2019.

Learn More:

To learn more about supports offered by the Province for end-of-life care, visit: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/care-options-and-cost/end-of-life-care

To find out more about hospice palliative care in Fraser Health, visit: www.fraserhealth.ca/health-professionals/professional-resources/hospice-palliative-care/

More information on the BC Centre for Palliative Care can be found at: www.bc-cpc.ca