/ Hospice Project
The West Hants Hospice Project
The Hospice Society of West Hants is working to build a community hospice residence that will provide compassionate end-of-life care close to home. This project will ensure that individuals and families in West Hants can access hospice care in a peaceful and supportive environment within their own community.
Why West Hants Needs a Hospice
Understanding Our Community’s Needs
West Hants is a growing rural community with a population of 19,509, reflecting a 2.6% increase since 2016. The region is largely English-speaking and includes key communities such as Windsor and Hantsport. Notably, 24.7% of residents are seniors, highlighting an increased need for accessible, compassionate end-of-life care within the community.
Across Nova Scotia, many individuals wish to spend their final days outside of a hospital setting. As of 2020, approximately 54.5% of Canadians die at home or in community-based settings, including nursing homes and other care facilities. However, for residents in rural areas like West Hants, access to palliative care at home can be limited, making it more difficult to fulfill these wishes.
This gap is reflected in research from rural Nova Scotia, where only about 23.8% of cancer deaths occur outside of hospitals. These figures highlight the challenges rural communities face in accessing end-of-life care and reinforce the need for a local hospice option to better support residents and their families.
Limited Access to Hospice Care
Currently, residents of West Hants must travel outside the community to access hospice care. The nearest options are Valley Hospice, located approximately 33 kilometers away, and Halifax Hospice, about 70 kilometers away. Both facilities have 10 beds each, and availability is not guaranteed. This can create uncertainty and added stress for individuals and families during already difficult times.
Current Stage of the Project
The West Hants Hospice project is in its community engagement and advocacy phase. Efforts are focused on raising awareness, building local support, and advancing our application for charitable status with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This stage is essential to ensure the project is guided by community needs and positioned for long-term success.
The Impact on Our Community
Establishing a hospice in West Hants will have meaningful and lasting benefits. It will allow residents to receive compassionate, end-of-life care closer to home, surrounded by loved ones and familiar surroundings. In addition, the project will contribute to local economic stability through job creation and investment in community services. Just as importantly, it will support the mental and emotional well-being of families by reducing the burden of travel and providing care within the community.
Our Vision for Hospice Care in West Hants
Our vision is to create a hospice that meets both the current and future needs of the West Hants community. Based on Canadian standards of approximately 10 hospice beds per 40,000 people, our goal is to develop a 10-bed facility that will support not only West Hants, but also the surrounding catchment area between the Valley and Halifax hospices.
This hospice will be designed to feel as homelike and comforting as possible. At the heart of the space will be a large, welcoming common room where families and loved ones can gather, connect, and support one another. Each private room will be thoughtfully designed to prioritize comfort, dignity, and connection, including large “cuddle beds” that allow loved ones to rest alongside patients. We recognize the importance of physical closeness in reducing stress and providing comfort during end-of-life care.
To ensure privacy and peace, rooms will be carefully soundproofed so families can speak, cry, and share meaningful moments freely without concern for others. The facility will also include accessible outdoor spaces, allowing patients to be wheeled outside to experience fresh air, a sunrise, or the night sky—simple moments that can bring profound comfort.
Beyond patient care, the hospice will serve as a hub for the community. We envision a space that supports grief and healing through programs such as grief support groups, music therapy, and community gatherings like death cafés. By opening our doors in this way, we hope to foster connection, understanding, and compassionate support for all.
What Services the Hospice Will Provide
The hospice will provide compassionate end-of-life care in a setting that respects the wishes, dignity, and individuality of each patient and their family. Families will be encouraged to be as involved as they feel comfortable, whether that means participating in daily care, sharing meals, or simply spending meaningful time together.
In addition to medical care, a range of emotional and spiritual supports will be available. Non-denominational faith providers will be on site to offer guidance and comfort, while patients and families will always have the option to invite their own spiritual or cultural supports as needed.
The hospice will also offer ongoing support for families through access to grief support groups and bereavement services. Practical guidance will be available as well, including assistance with funeral planning and connections to financial professionals who can help with estate planning and related matters.
Our goal is to care not only for patients, but for the people who love them—providing support, comfort, and guidance every step of the way.
Community Support
Partner Organizations
Collaboration is essential to making the West Hants Hospice a reality. We are working with Bereaved Families to establish consistent grief support groups within the West Hants area, ensuring ongoing support for individuals and families navigating loss.
We also aim to partner with Nova Scotia Health Authority to support the delivery of clinical care, following a model similar to Valley Hospice. In addition, support from municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government will be critical in bringing this project to life and ensuring its long-term sustainability.
Volunteers
Volunteers will play a vital role in the success of the hospice. We are committed to creating opportunities for community members to get involved at any time, whether through supporting grief groups, assisting with fundraising efforts, or contributing their skills in other meaningful ways.
We also recognize the importance of strong governance and long-term planning. As such, we welcome interest from individuals who may wish to serve in leadership roles, including board membership, as part of ongoing succession planning and organizational growth.