Questions About the Relationship Between Golden Life, Island Health, and CVHS.

Q: I heard that the new hospice will be operated by an American company. Is this true?

A: No, Golden Life Management (GLM) is a family-owned and operated Canadian company.

Q: Will GLM receive money from Comox Valley Hospice Society?

A: CVHS is a tenant at the Ocean Front Village facility and an independent entity whose counsellors and volunteers provide emotional and psycho-social support to patients of the hospice and their families/loved ones. As a society registered in BC and a charity registered with the Canadian Revenue Agency, all donations made to CVHS, including bequests, flow directly to CVHS.

Q: Who makes hiring decisions for the Aitken Community Hospice?

A: GLM is responsible for hiring the nursing staff for the hospice. Requirements are set out in their contract with Island Health.

Q: How are services of the Comox Valley Hospice Society different from the hospice itself?

A: While some of our services are provided at the Aitken Community Hospice, Comox Valley Hospice Society supports palliative clients and their caregivers throughout the community – in their homes and at the Comox Valley Hospital. We also provide anticipatory grief and bereavement support to the loved ones of our palliative clients.

Q: Is end-of-life care provided in the hospice itself overseen by a medical team?

A: Palliative patients eligible for hospice are referred to the Island Health Palliative Team. During their stay, patients may remain under the care of their family physician, nurse practitioner or a MRP (medically responsible provider – a local palliative physician that agrees to oversee their care). Daily nursing care is provided by the GLM nursing team under supervision from the GLM Clinical Director in consultation with the IH Palliative Team.

Q: Who makes the decisions about how the new hospice beds are occupied?

A: When a hospice room becomes available, an intake panel reviews the list of palliative patients who might benefit from being in hospice to decide who will be invited into the hospice room. The intake panel includes the GLM Director of Care and a GLM Registered Nurse, a Palliative Nurse Coordinator and/or a Palliative Social Worker from Island Health, a Palliative Physician consultant, and a CVHS counsellor.

Questions About Aitken Community Hospice

Q: How many hospice beds are available in the new facility?

A: There are 6 hospice beds, which are only available with a physician's referral. An online tour of the hospice can be viewed at comoxhospice.com.

Q: My doctor has put in a referral to hospice. How long will I have to wait?

A: Having a referral for hospice means that the health community is aware of your request for a hospice bed. Admission referrals are reviewed weekly by an intake panel and are based on a situational criteria. Due to limited space, and the nature of services provided, a referral to hospice cannot guarantee being admitted.

Q: What criteria are considered?

A: Those who are admitted to hospice are considered to be near the end of life. Factors such as a patient's ability to manage their pain levels, day to day care, and mobility are other considerations. A person in a long term care facility will already be receiving a similar level of quality end of life medical care, so they are not transferred to hospice.

Q: How much does it cost to stay in the hospice?

A: The daily fee of approximately $40/day is a rate set annually by the Province of BC plus the cost of medications not covered by the BC Palliative Benefits Program.

Questions about Palliative Care

Q: Is a palliative diagnosis the same as having a terminal illness?

A: A palliative diagnosis means that the treatment and care of an illness or condition is focused on managing symptoms not a cure.

Q: Does having a palliative diagnosis mean that I'm dying?

A: A person who has a palliative diagnosis, is someone who has an illness or a condition that will not be cured and will eventually result in death. This person may still be active and living independently as their condition progresses. It may or may not mean that they are actively dying.

Q: My doctor said I could call CVHS for support. What is available?

A: We welcome self referrals from those impacted by the end of life journey or bereavement. Our services include emotional and psycho-social support provided by staff or volunteers, through 1:1 sessions or support groups, as well as other community offerings such as our self care clinic. For those who are navigating a more complex journey such as a traumatic loss or dementia, we can often assist by helping to identify other community resources and service provider partnerships.

For those who have a palliative diagnosis and are near end of life, or supporting such a friend or family member, we recommend contacting Community Health Services - Island Health for advice around care at home, or to determine whether a referral to the Aitken Community Hospice is the best option.