How to Access Hospice Palliative Care in Alberta

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. Here is a guide to help.

North Zone:

The North Zone is north of Edmonton.

1. Phone Community Care Access at 1 855 371 4122 to learn what palliative care services are available in your community
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Several hospice and palliative care societies in the North Zone provide support in various settings. Find your local society in the Resource Directory

Edmonton Zone:

The Edmonton Zone includes the city of Edmonton and the areas west, east and south.

1. Phone Community Care Access at 780 496 1300 to learn more about palliative home care in the Edmonton Zone.
2. Ask your doctor or health care team to provide a referral to the in-hospital Palliative Care Consult Service.
3. For all other palliative care services in the Edmonton Zone, you will need to ask your doctor to provide a referral.
4. Learn more about palliative home care options in the Edmonton Zone by downloading this brochure. Download PDF.
5. Many hospice and palliative care societies in the Edmonton Zone provide support in various settings. Find your local society in the Resource Directory.

Central Zone:

The Central Zone is the area between Edmonton to Calgary, east to west.

1. Phone Community Care Access at 403 341 2130 to learn what palliative care services are available in your community.
2. For palliative home care or to access hospice care in a facility, you will need your doctor to provide a referral.
3. 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.
4. Several hospice and palliative care societies in the Central Zone provide support in various settings. Find your local society in the Resource Directory.

Calgary Zone:

The Calgary Zone includes the city of Calgary, the area north to Didsbury, south to Claresholm, west to Lake Louise and east to Gleichen.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Learn more about Calgary’s Palliative Home Care – Urban program by downloading this brochure.
4. 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.
5. Learn more about hospice options in the Calgary Zone by downloading this brochure.
6. Several hospice and palliative care societies in the Calgary Zone provide support in various settings. Find your local society in the Resource Directory.

South Zone:

The South Zone includes areas south from Oyen, Bassano, Brooks and Fort MacLeod.

1. If you live in Lethbridge or elsewhere in the South Zone, phone Community Care Access at 403 388 6380 or phone the Palliative Care Team – South Zone at 1 866 388 6380.
2. If you live in Brooks or Medicine Hat, phone Community Care Access at 403 529 8084.
3. Ask your doctor to provide a referral to palliative care services.