Langley Hospice Residence

When people in Langley say “the hospice house”, this is usually the place they mean. Its full name is the Doug and Fran MacDonald Langley Hospice Residence, and it’s a home-like place for people in the last weeks or months of life whose care can no longer be managed at home. If you’re reading this because someone you love is near the end, we’re sorry. We’ve tried to keep it short and practical.

What it’s like

The Langley Hospice Society’s page describes 15 private rooms, each with its own patio, plus specialized bathing. Families have their own kitchen and laundry, a living room and lounges, and an outdoor courtyard. Care is around the clock and covers physical, emotional and spiritual comfort, with support for family and friends too.

When it opened, Fraser Health’s release mentioned quiet family areas, a spiritual wellness space, and the community’s first bariatric room. The project’s architects noted a pull-out couch in every room, so someone can stay the night.

Getting a bed

You can’t book the hospice directly, and the residence asks families not to call it about admission. Fraser Health’s page says access to hospice beds is by referral through Fraser Health. Its palliative care team talks with the patient, the family and the doctor or nurse practitioner, then helps decide which hospice is the right fit.

The Hospice Society’s page says anyone can start a referral, including the patient, by calling Fraser Health’s Access Line (formerly the Home Health Service Line) at 1-855-412-2121. The Society lists these admission criteria:

• registered with the BC Palliative Care Benefits Program
• care needs that can’t be met in the community
• a life expectancy of less than six months
• agreement to a “no CPR” (do not resuscitate) order
• accepting comfort care, not treatment aimed at a cure

If you’re already working with a Fraser Health case manager, palliative nurse or family doctor, they’re a good first call.

What it costs

The Hospice Society says care is covered by a daily rate set by the provincial government. If that rate causes hardship, you can ask a palliative social worker for a financial assessment. Neither the Society’s page nor Fraser Health’s states the dollar amount, so ask the palliative team.

Who runs what

It’s a partnership. Fraser Health owns the land and provides the clinical care and facility management. The Langley Hospice Society owns the building, leases the land from Fraser Health, and looks after food, housekeeping, laundry, maintenance and non-clinical support. Hospice Society volunteers also offer one-to-one company, vigil support in the last 72 hours of life and short breaks for caregivers. Ask the Society at 604-530-1115 about volunteer support.

We couldn’t find published visiting hours on either organisation’s page, so ask the residence staff once a bed is arranged.

How it came to be

Before 2022, Langley’s hospice beds were 10 beds on the Langley Memorial Hospital campus. Fraser Health and the Province announced on May 27, 2022 that the new 15-room residence would open on May 31, 2022, replacing those 10 beds. The release listed the funding as:

• $5 million from the Province, through Fraser Health and BC Housing
• about $4 million raised by the Langley Hospice Society from community donations
• $900,000 from the Province through the BC Centre for Palliative Care
• about $219,000 from the Township of Langley, as a grant to offset municipal charges

Fraser Health pays to operate it. The building is named for Doug and Fran MacDonald, who were the lead sponsors.

A note if you’re reading older pages: some parts of the Hospice Society’s website still describe a 10-bed residence and a “new 15-bed project”. That project is the building described here, and it has been open since 2022.

Grief support afterwards

The Langley Hospice Society runs grief support for adults, teens and children, including one-on-one support, groups, walking groups and drop-ins. Phone 604-530-1115 on weekdays. More end-of-life and caregiver contacts are in our seniors guide, and the hospital page covers parking and directions for the campus next door.

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