Our Mission Statement

The Abbotsford Hospice Society exists to affirm the value and quality of life by providing support to persons in the last stage of living and to the bereaved, and by promotion of a coordinated inter-disciplinary program of palliative care in the community.

Overview

click image to enlarge

The Abbotsford Hospice Society (AHS) was incorporated approximately twenty years ago. The group who started this grass roots non-profit organization first gathered around a kitchen table and drafted their vision. In 1999, AHS bought and remodeled a house on Marshall Road to serve both as an administration centre and to train volunteers. Once renovations were completed in 2001, we opened our Palliative Respite Program that offers adults respite one day per week. In 2005, the Wellness Centre began its program for children facing life-limiting conditions. Designed to include parent and family input, this one day a week program consists of social and modified physical initiatives which encourage participation and contribute to well-being.

We remain committed to our mission to affirm the value and quality of life by providing support to persons in the last stages of living and to the bereaved, and by promoting a coordinated inter-disciplinary program of palliative care in the community. Non profits such as ours provide a framework for building and supporting relationships with individuals, funding agencies and community organizations. Our volunteers are the backbone of our organization and provide the care and support that is needed for our clients.

Our long term plan is to be able to provide Abbotsford with enhanced interdisciplinary expertise in the areas of end of life issue management and bereavement services and to complement the Fraser Health Authority’s initiatives including the specialized palliative care beds planned for the new Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre. We are coordinating our efforts together with Fraser Health Authority to ensure that our clients receive the best and most effective care possible.

	Diagnosed with a Terminal Illness? The Abbotsford Hospice Society offers a client centred mutual support group for adults living with a terminal illness. The group meets Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 in our Wellness & Support Centre - 33134 Marshall Road, Abbotsford. Take advantage of the power of group discussion and mutual support in a safe and welcoming environment. Spend time with others who may be experiencing similar challenges. Share your wisdom. Build support systems and network. Learn a variety of coping strategies. Cope with changing family dynamics. Create a self care and personal plan. Understand emotions and manage responses. Facilitated by a registered clinical counsellor.

AHS Values and Beliefs:

• We are sensitive to personal and cultural values and beliefs.
• While we are not aligned with any particular school of religious thought, we strive to support all religions and spiritual belief systems.
• We strive to ensure that individual choices are respected.
• We affirm that life should be lived fully until death.
• We provide emotional and spiritual support through volunteer companioning.
• We promote a sense of involvement as patients and families participate in their plan of care.
• We provide education to help patients and families cope with end of life issues.
• We promote understanding that the journey of life eventually leads to death,
• We honour a strict code of confidentiality.

The Abbotsford Hospice Society acknowledges the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia.