Let Us Introduce Ourselves…
Let Us Introduce Ourselves…
The Alberta Hospice Palliative Care Association (AHPCA) is a charitable organization that serves as the voice for hospice, palliative, and end-of-life care in Alberta.
For over 30 years, AHPCA has promoted, supported and advocated for comprehensive, equitable and quality end of life care for all Albertans
With all of our free events, please consider supporting the AHPCA.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Statement on Medical Assistance in Dying
AHPCA’s mission is based on the definition of hospice and palliative care as “an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.”
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) has been legally available to Canadians since June of 2016.
AHPCA recognizes that every person has different needs and hopes for their end of life experience.
AHPCA recognizes that some people will request and complete MAID.
AHPCA recognizes that palliative care efforts must recognize and successfully address each person’s needs and hopes. This includes using the full spectrum of palliative care resources that are available, including the desire to learn about, access and complete MAID in a supportive, respectful and dignified setting.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT
Land Acknowledgment
The Alberta Hospice Palliative Care Association acknowledges the traditional land of the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples whose elders have walked this land before us and those persons with whom we share this land today. We are grateful to work, live and play upon this territory together and for the ability to learn from the traditional peoples of these lands as we move forward together in reconciliation.
How to Access End of Life Care in Alberta
No Matter Where You Live
Learn About Your Options
The decision to seek palliative care or to enter hospice may be a difficult step for an individual and their family. There are several supports and services available for Albertans during this stage of life.
In Alberta, you often have a choice where you would like to receive end of life care including:
- Your own home
- A hospital
- A standalone hospice
- A long-term care or supported living setting
- An assisted living facility or group home
Talk with your health care team and family to decide what will work best for you.
Accessing end of life care services in Alberta depends on the area in which you live. Alberta Health Services has divided the province geographically into zones.
First, find your AHS zone. Second, find out how to access care in your AHS zone.
The AHS North Zone is north of Edmonton.
- Phone Community Care Access at 1 855 371 4122 to learn what palliative care services are available in your community
- Talk to your doctor or health care team to access hospice care in a hospital or a hospice. They will usually need to provide a referral for you.
- You will need a referral for services such as the hospice beds in Grande Prairie’s Prairie Lake Hospice. Phone 780 357 5700 for more information.
- Several hospice and palliative care societies in the AHS North Zone provide support in various settings. Find your local society in the Resource Directory
The AHS Edmonton Zone includes the city of Edmonton and the areas west, east and south.
- Phone Community Care Access at 780 496 1300 to learn more about palliative home care in the AHS Edmonton Zone.
- Ask your doctor or health care team to provide a referral to the in-hospital Palliative Care Consult Service.
- For all other palliative care services in the AHS Edmonton Zone, you will need to ask your doctor to provide a referral.
- Learn more about palliative home care options in the AHS Edmonton Zone by downloading this brochure. Download PDF.
- Many hospice and palliative care societies in the AHS Edmonton Zone provide support in various settings. Find your local society in the Resource Directory.
The AHS Central Zone is the area between Edmonton to Calgary, east to west.
- Phone Community Care Access at 403 341 2130 to learn what palliative care services are available in your community.
- For palliative home care or to access hospice care in a facility, you will need your doctor to provide a referral.
- If you are dealing with end of life issues or grief, various support and counselling services are available. Phone 403 343 4832 for more information.
- Several hospice and palliative care societies in the AHS Central Zone provide support in various settings. Find your local society in the Resource Directory.
The AHS Calgary Zone includes the city of Calgary, the area north to Didsbury, south to Claresholm, west to Lake Louise and east to Gleichen.
- If you live in Calgary, ask your doctor or health care team to provide a referral to general home care OR phone Community Care Access at 403 943 1920 to self-refer to general home care. Your home care team will then refer you to palliative home care if needed.
- If you live in Calgary, ask your doctor or health care team to provide a referral to the Palliative Care Consult Service (Urban) at 403 944 2304. Learn more about this service by downloading this brochure.
- Learn more about Calgary’s Palliative Home Care – Urban program by downloading this brochure.
- If you live outside of Calgary, ask your doctor or health care team to provide a referral to home care. Your home care team (with your doctor’s approval) will refer you to the Rural Palliative Care Consult service, if needed. Learn more about this service by downloading this brochure.
- Learn more about hospice options in the AHS Calgary Zone by downloading this brochure.
- Several hospice and palliative care societies in the AHS Calgary Zone provide support in various settings. Find your local society in the Resource Directory.
The AHS South Zone includes areas south from Oyen, Bassano, Brooks and Fort MacLeod.
- If you live in Lethbridge or elsewhere in the AHS South Zone, phone Community Care Access at 403 388 6380 or phone the Palliative Care Team – AHS South Zone at 1 866 388 6380.
- If you live in Brooks or Medicine Hat, phone Community Care Access at 403 529 8084.
- Ask your doctor to provide a referral to palliative care services.