Building Holmberg House

Hospice provides a continuum of care; an entire spectrum of services from the time of diagnosis through to bereavement support. Cost effective care is delivered by a team consisting of specially trained professionals, volunteers, as well as family members and caregivers.

The Abbotsford Hospice Society has received donations and commitments in the amount of $5 million dollars towards its goal of $7.5 million

We need 2.5 million dollars to make HOLMBERG HOUSE a reality

 

On March 30th 2011, David Holmberg Jr. passed away leaving a loving wife, two children, parents, siblings and their families, friends and colleagues. He was 48 years old.

Just as David Jr.’s life was cut short, many families have to cope with losing a loved one far too soon. While traditionally, adult hospice care has been associated with supporting patients in their later years our facility will also serve those as young as 19 years of age.

With the visions of many we will shape the future and make a significant life changing difference for terminally ill patients and those who care for them. Because of the foresight and generosity of the City of Abbotsford who provided the land on which the adult hospice will be built, soon people in Abbotsford will be able to spend their final days in their own community.

Through the expertise of our general contractor, Ledcor Construction Ltd., in 2012, the Abbotsford Hospice Society will begin construction of the first adult hospice residence in our city. It will be named Holmberg House in memory of David Holmberg Jr. Our local purpose built, hospice residence will bring comprehensive care services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to patients, their families and friends.

Holmberg House will reflect the Abbotsford Hospice Society’s philosophy “Supporting the Process of Life” and will be designed to express the ideals of the numerous support services we provide. Features and design elements will create a comforting complementary care setting that embodies the universal characteristic of hospice care.


Consider the following:

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, British Columbia and Yukon, in 2010, every three minutes one Canadian was diagnosed with cancer.  And every seven minutes, one Canadian died of cancer.

In a four month period in 2009, there were 67 deaths of Abbotsford palliative adults, aged 19 and over.

Abbotsford residents as young as 19 are requiring hospice services.

Abbotsford has a population of approximately 139,000 of which 111,000 are over the age of 19.

In May 2010, over 3 days chosen at random, 75% of the patients at Christine Morrison Hospice in Mission were Abbotsford residents. In October 2010, 100% of patients were from Abbotsford

The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association estimates that each death affects the immediate well-being of an average of five other people – disrupting their lives, affecting their income and causing grief and other psychological issues, including depression and anxiety.

End of life care will become more important as British Columbia’s population grows and ages. In 2001, the population of British Columbia was just over four million people. Nearly 20,000 people in Abbotsford are 65 and older.

The majority of people die in hospital. This occurs despite the fact that an acute care hospital bed is one of the most expensive resources in our health care system.