The Margaret Bahen Hospice for York Region is a division of Better Living Health and Community Services. Better Living Health and Community Services is a charitable organization providing a range of programs and services for individuals in Toronto and York Region.
Better Living Health and Community Services is committed to our mission by helping adults and seniors, at all stages, experience a better quality of life. We provide essential services that assist seniors and disabled adults wishing to live independently at home and allow respite for people in a care giving role.
The following is a list of the broad range of programs and services offered by Better Living Heath and Community Services, which support independence to experience a better quality of life.
- Adult Day Program
- Community Centre
- Caregiver Support
- Home Maintenance
- Hospice Services
- In-Home Services
- Meals & Grocery Delivery
- Social Work Services
- Transportation Services
- Volunteers
- Long-Term Care
In the spring of 2015, the Central LHIN issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for Integrated Hospice Palliative Care Services within York Region. The Central LHIN was looking for an organization that would lead both community visiting hospice services, as well as, manage the implementation and operation of a new 10-bed residential hospice, currently being developed at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket. This work aligns with the strategic plan of the Central LHIN, in support of the Province’s mandate to strengthen palliative care services within Ontario.
Better Living Health and Community Services was selected as the lead organization for community hospice and also as the operator of the new Margaret Bahen Hospice for York Region.
Margaret Bahen Hospice is a residential hospice that provides 24 hour palliative care services to individuals with a life-limiting illness in a home-like environment. The hospice is located in Newmarket and we will be welcoming residents that live within the York region. Our hospice offers 10 private suites where residents, and their families, can stay in the final stage of their life, at no cost to the resident. Each room includes an adjustable hospital bed for the resident, an additional Murphy-style bed for loved ones who wish to stay overnight and a private washroom. The hospice also has a shared kitchen and dining area as well as shared common space available for all of our residents. In addition to palliative care services, we offer a range of housekeeping, recreational and support services to our residents as well as their caregivers and family members.
Hospices serving York Region (Hospice Vaughan, Hospice Georgina, Hospice King-Aurora-Richmond Hill and Doane House Hospice) have joined together to provide hospice palliative care and support clients, families, and caregivers. Together we provide practical, physical and emotional support to maintain quality of life. Our services offer support and respite to caregivers. We are sensitive to personal, cultural and religious beliefs and practices in collaboration to deliver individualized care. Clients and residents can access: Visiting Volunteers, Complementary Therapy, and Grief and bereavement Support.
How we are Funded
One thing that all residential hospices, like the Margaret Bahen Hospice, have in common is that they simply could not survive without the support of their volunteers and donors. Residential Hospices are also a unique service within our healthcare system because of the funding model that has been adopted. While the Province of Ontario through the Local Health Integration Networks does cover the cost of the nursing and personal care services, all of the costs for administration, building operations and repairs and support staff must be provided by the organization through fund raising efforts. This means that the Margaret Bahen Hospice will need to raise approximately $850,000 in charitable donations on an annual basis.