Canuck Place Children's Hospice (CPCH) - Support Services
Caregiver Support, End of Life Care / Palliative Care, Healthcare Providers, Mental Health - Child & Youth, Services for Children, and Services for Youth
Provided by Canuck Place Children's Hospice
Provides care for children aged 0 to 19 with progressive, life-threatening illnesses, offering family support, respite care, pain and symptom management, end-of-life care, and grief and bereavement counselling.
Pediatric palliative care is different from adult palliative care. It is an interdisciplinary approach to care that addresses the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of both a child and their family. The care team provides support from diagnosis through progression of illness, to death and in bereavement. Services include:
- Clinical Care: Canuck Place provides 24/7 hospice care at their locations in Vancouver and Abbotsford. As well, their extensive outreach program meets ever-increasing demand. Nurses, counsellors, physicians and clinical support team members are experts in the field of pediatric palliative care.
- Pain and Symptom Management: Pain and symptom management is offered in hospice, through hospital consultation, or in the home. Families at home receive symptom care and general support through the 24-Hour Clinical Care Line.
- Exploring Big Questions Together: Children and youth often have thoughts and questions about their health conditions and what is happening in their body. The care team is experienced in taking a family-centred approach to these discussions. They work together with children/youth and their families to explore these big questions in safe spaces.
- Care Coordination and Co-Management of a Health Condition: Canuck Place partners with health-care providers to ensure seamless, coordinated care for children and families. This collaboration improves comfort, quality of life, and well-being, working across community providers, hospitals, and ambulance services. They support complex discharge and perinatal palliative care planning, aligned with the child’s and family’s goals.
- Pediatric Palliative Care Advance Care Planning: Advance care planning (ACP) explores what matters most to the child and family to guide future health-care decisions during times of uncertainty. ACP incorporates the concept of parallel planning, focusing on enhancing quality of life while also preparing for potential 'what if' scenarios. Canuck Place also provides support for perinatal palliative care planning for families requiring assistance during pregnancy.
- Counselling Support: The counselling team supports the entire family’s mental health, wellness, and quality of life. Connect with a counsellor by phone, virtually, or in person. Counselling services are offered to families, with consultations available for others involved in the child and family’s life. Services include spiritual counselling, education, advocacy for resources, group support, and support for grief and loss. We also offer expressive therapies: play, music, recreation, and art.
- Respite Services and Hospice Care: Medical respite care provides children with round-the-clock nursing while offering caregivers a needed break. Canuck Place offers in-house respite at both hospice locations, providing 24-hour care for a pre-arranged period. This allows families time to connect and rest. Families may choose to stay in one of the family suites or engage in other activities while the child receives expert, compassionate care.
- Recreation Therapy: The recreation therapy team tailors support to each child’s interests, needs, and abilities, helping families enjoy quality time at hospice or home. They provide tickets or discounts to local attractions, suggest entertainment and transportation options, and offer referrals to wish-granting groups. Adaptive equipment is available for children with physical limitations, and a year-round memory-making program is offered.
- Music Therapy: Music therapy offers children and siblings meaningful ways to express and process emotions, providing comfort and communication beyond words. Sessions—individual, group, or family—take place at the bedside, in the music room, or outdoors. Adaptive and electronic instruments ensure children of all abilities can participate. Music therapy is also a key component of counselling and bereavement services.
- Education and Art: The hospice environment encourages children and siblings to simply be kids. Daily schoolroom lessons with a teacher and educational assistant support continued learning, while arts-and-crafts activities foster self-expression. Photographs, clay sculptures, and other creations become cherished keepsakes, offering comfort after bereavement. This program helps children live life fully and provides families with a sense of normalcy.
- 24-Hour Clinical Care Line: Caregiving for a child with a progressive illness is stressful, and conditions can change quickly, leaving families unsure of what to do. Families at home have access to the 24-Hour Clinical Care Line for support when making important decisions. Calls are answered every day, including overnight, whenever assistance is needed. Clinical staff provide answers and guidance for care decisions. Other health-care professionals involved in the child’s care can also consult with the care team. Phone: 604-742-3475 or toll-free at 1-877-882-2288.
- End-of-life Care:When a child’s condition indicates limited time, care focuses on symptom management to maximize comfort and quality of life. The team works with families and healthcare providers to choose the best end-of-life setting, ensuring a supportive, comfortable environment tailored to each family’s needs. Support and care planning continue throughout the child’s journey.
- Bereavement Services: No parent can prepare for the loss of a child. Canuck Place supports families through the emotional journey of grief, offering bereavement services and follow-up support for years after a child’s death. A counsellor contacts families to assess their needs and explain available services, provided both in-person at hospice locations and virtually across BC and the Yukon.
To refer a child to the Canuck Place program, contact an intake nurse at 604-742-3476 or toll-free in BC at 1-877-882-2288 ext. 3476. Referrals can also be sent via email to intake@canuckplace.org.
Referrals are accepted from all members of a child’s care team (medical and non-medical), family members, friends, or through self-referral, with the family’s awareness and consent. All Canuck Place services are provided at no cost to families.
604-731-4847 (Vancouver)
Toll Free: 1-877-882-2288 (within BC)
Public email: hello@canuckplace.org
Website: https://www.canuckplace.org/our-care...
Canuck Place Vancouver - Glen Brae Manor - 1690 Matthews Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6J 2T2
Wheelchair accessible.
778-880-4847 (Abbotsford)
Public email: hello@canuckplace.org
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice – Dave Lede House - 32772 Marshall Road, Abbotsford, British Columbia, V2S 1J7
604-742-3476 (Intake Line)
Toll Free: 1-877-882-2288 ext. 3476
Public email: intake@canuckplace.org
Referral options:
- Family physician or nurse practitioner referral
- Health professional referral
- Family members, friends, or self-referrals.
Details: For urgent referrals, please call the nursing station at 604-742-3475 or request the Palliative Care physician through BC Children’s hospital paging system at 604-875-2161.
Availability
Service area: Abbotsford, Vancouver + show cities
Service Types Provided
Caregiver Support
End of Life Care / Palliative Care
Healthcare Providers
Mental Health - Child & Youth
Services for Children
Services for Youth
Ways to Access
- Provided 1:1 in-person
- Provided at multiple locations
- Provided by phone
The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.