NEED SUPPORT?

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

Thanks to generous donors, PCSBV provides client services without a fee.

For more info on any client services please contact the PCSBV's Grief Support Navigator via email at bill.harder@pcsbv.ca or by calling 403-458-0433.

You may book one-on-one sessions in-person (office or your home), or by phone/Zoom. The PCSBV Navigator is available to provide family consultations after a loss. 

Workshops/training sessions on navigating personal and/or professional loss/grief is also available. Sessions are sculpted to the needs of the audience, from 30 minutes to half-day workshops. Contact the PCSBV Grief Support Navigator for more information.

Click HERE to email the PCSBV

REFERRAL PROCESS

Please provide the individual's name, phone number, email address, and reason for referral. Self referrals are also welcome. To submit a referral please contact the PCSBV’s Palliative and Grief Support Navigator via email at bill.harder@pcsbv.ca or by calling 403-458-0433.

 

Health Care Professionals: referrals can be sent to PCSBV via fax to (403)-621-1825.

 

Please note: all individuals must have consented interest in receiving PCSBV's support

 

Individuals may be referred for PCSBV support who:

1. Have recently received a diagnosis of a life-limiting (incurable) illness or if the individual is upstream in disease progression (early diagnosis)

2. Are in late-stage disease progression and are quickly moving toward actively dying

3. Have experienced a death loss and are struggling with grief

 

PCSBV staff and volunteers provide the following supports:

-Psychosocial and soulful supports addressing emotional, social, and spiritual needs
-Support navigating to community resources
-1-1 conversation with the Palliative and Grief Support Navigator
-1-1 care from a dedicated palliative / grief companion volunteer
-Access to grief support groups and other support programs

LIFE-LIMITING ILLNESS

What does a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness mean? A life-limiting illness is one for which there is no cure. This includes late-stage organ diseases such as COPD, heart, liver and kidney diseases. It also includes neurological conditions such as dementia, ALS, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. And of course, late-stage cancers are also in this group of diseases. When we do not know how to cure a disease we turn our focus from curative treatment to addressing quality of life at every stage of the disease progression. Ideally, the palliative approach to care begins the day of diagnosis and continues until death.

CAREGIVING

A loved-one has been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness; what does that mean for you? In an October 2021 Waiting Room Revolution podcast certified caregiver consultant, Elizabeth Miller, made the comment that when our loved-one is diagnosed we also receive a diagnosis - as a "caregiver". Healthy caregiving requires us to be intentional about self-care, monitoring the level of our own wellness tank while keeping an eye on the wellness of our loved-one.