Compassion lives here

We provide superior palliative care within the community

We guide the journey, but never lead it...our patients do that

We focus on life

We recognize and respect the individuality of each person

Welcome

With its two facilities (Pavillon André-Brunet and Pavillon Stillview), the West Island Palliative Care Residence provides compassionate care allowing terminally ill patients to die in comfort and with dignity in a warm, home-like environment, close to their family, and in their community. We want our patients to live the final chapter of their lives in the best and most fulfilling manner possible. The Residence’s team of physicians, nurses, counselors, supportive care workers and volunteers work together to address the physical symptoms as well as the emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patients and their families.

Our Mission

To provide active and compassionate care in order to comfort and support terminally ill patients and their loved ones and to continue as a leader in palliative care within Quebec and Canada.

Our Vision

As a leader,

  • To be at the forefront of providing superior palliative care within the community health care network;
  • To promote and support a range of services to patients requiring palliative care, at home, in hospital, and at the West Island Palliative Care Residence;
  • To serve as a role model and resource for other communities wishing to organize freestanding palliative care residences;
  • To promote and provide education to health professionals and volunteers to enhance competence in delivery of palliative care services;
  • To promote and provide education in the community, to increase awareness and to provide understanding of the needs of the terminally ill and their families;
  • To continuously improve palliative care through research and knowledge transfer;
  • To ensure that grief support is available and to promote it in the community.

News and Upcoming Events

Behind These Walls

Join us on October 16th for the unique opportunity to get a look inside the

West Island Palliative Care Residence!

Attendees will get to meet members of our Supportive Care team, visit the facility, and learn more about palliative and compassionate care.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019 

Session 1:  2 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Session 2:  6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

This event is free and space is limited.  RSVP required. To register

9th Annual Golf Tournament Raises $515,000 net

The 9th Annual Golf Tournament of the West Island Palliative Care Residence, which was held on August 26, 2019 at the prestigious Royal Montreal Golf Club, generated net profits of $515,000 for the Residence thanks to another showing of generous community support.

To read more and see photos from the event click here

Teresa Dellar, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the West Island Palliative Care Residence and Founder of the Montreal Institute for Palliative Care Passes Away after Brave and Courageous Fight with Cancer.

It is with deep sadness that the employees and volunteers of the West Island Palliative Care Residence, the Montreal Institute for Palliative Care, and their respective boards confirm the passing of their co-founder Teresa Dellar, M.S.C., MSW, PSW, FT. The entire palliative care community of greater Montreal, Canada and beyond is mourning the loss of our leader from a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 58, on August 19, 2019. Our thoughts are with Teresa’s husband, sons, parents, brothers and sisters, and extended family during this difficult time.

To read more

Professional Development Day for Physicians

Integrating A Supportive and Palliative Care Approach Into Practice

Friday, October 4, 2019 – Sarto-Desnoyers Community Centre

Presented by the Montreal Institute for Palliative Care, a branch of the West Island Palliative Care Residence

For more information, click here

Gourmet Dinner & Wine Auction

Wednesday, October 9, 2019 – Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel

For more information, click here

3rd annual ‘Course pour la compassion’ walk/run event raises $90,500

Thank to all of our participants, donors, volunteers and sponsors of the event!

To see photos of the event or to read more, click here

20th Annual Valentine’s Ball raises $580,000

Thank you to all those who supported the event!

For more details and to see photos of the evening click here.

The Montreal Institute for Palliative Care is proud to announce its inaugural research project: Compassionate Communities

The Montreal Institute for Palliative Care, launched in the spring of 2018 as a branch of the West Island Palliative Care Residence, aims to extend the benefits of best-in-class palliative care to as many patients and families as possible through education, knowledge exchange and research.
Thanks to a generous donation from the Fondation J.-Louis Lévesque, the Montreal Institute for Palliative Care is pleased to announce the launch of its first research project, Compassionate Communities. Collaborating with several municipalities in Montreal, this five-year project will build community-based programs that provide supportive environments and linkages for citizens of all ages dealing with serious diseases or in the later stages of their lives. The impact on quality of life of these community driven activities will be measured and the findings shared so that more communities can benefit.

With the help of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé to reach out to the research community and to conduct the scientific merit review, the project has been awarded to a team led by Dr. Antoine Boivin, Canada Research Chair on Patient and Public Partnerships at the Université de Montréal. The diversity and experience of the team, with investigators from McGill University, University of Ottawa, Université du Québec à Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke, University of Bradford (United Kingdom) and other organizations, is exceptional.

For more information

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Friday, June 15th, was a defining moment in our future as dignitaries, board members, employees, volunteers, donors and special guests gathered to celebrate the start of construction to consolidate our two separate locations into a single, expanded facility housing all of our 23 beds.The 30,000 square foot extension of the original building on André-Brunet Street onto an adjacent tract of land represents a transformation of the Residence. Designed with the goal of maintaining a home-like environment, the new building will offer a more efficient, medically relevant floor plan. Importantly, the new building will bring all staff and volunteers together so that patients and families will benefit from the consistent and seamless approach to care and services.

For more information

Creation of the Montreal Institute for Palliative Care: comforting news for patients at end of life

Sharing advancements in palliative care will benefit patients and families across Canada says Quebec Health Minister

On May 11, 2018, Canada’s largest freestanding palliative care residence launched the Montreal Institute for Palliative Care (MIPC), a highly collaborative endeavor that is committed to extending the benefits of palliative care to as many Canadians as possible. The announcement was made during National Hospice Palliative Care Week by Ms. Teresa Dellar, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the West Island Palliative Care Residence.

For more information

Presidents’ Awards 2018

On May 11th, in honour of National Hospice Palliative Care week, we held the third edition of the Presidents’ Awards of the West Island Palliative Care Residence. The Presidents’ Awards were inaugurated in 2016 to celebrate the pioneers in palliative care and to recognize individuals or groups who have made a significant contribution to palliative care and to the Residence. It is also an opportunity to remind us that it is a combined effort of professionals, volunteers, donors and stakeholders who work together to ensure the best quality of life for patients and their families. 

For more information

Capital Campaign, Caring and Sharing – Under One Roof

On April 11, 2018, the Residence launched its 2017-2018 Capital Campaign, Caring and Sharing – Under One Roof. The campaign aims at raising $12.5 million in order to consolidate our two separate locations into a single, state-of-the-art facility, and to share best practices in palliative care through the creation of a National Education and Knowledge Transfer Program.

Press Release

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News

Click here to get the most recent news about the Residence

About Us

The West Island Palliative Care Residence provides services free of charge to patients and their families. The Residence receives one-third of its operational budget from the Quebec government and relies on community support and fundraising activities to raise the balance of more than 3.5 million dollars.

We are an independent, community-based, non-profit organization, accredited by the Quebec government and offers services to residents of the West Island of Montreal. With its 23 beds, the Residence is the largest freestanding palliative care facility in Canada and is recognized as a leader in its field.

Learn more...

Key Facts About the Residence

    • Since it opened in 2002, over 4,100 patients have spent their final days at the Residence and we have helped more than 17,000 family members;
    • The youngest patient was 18, the oldest 105;
    • Our patients have been in the final stages of ALS, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, cancer as well as many other diseases;
    • The Residence is not a long-term care facility and therefore must screen patients in order to admit those best suited for the care we provide;
    • The West Island Palliative Care Residence is fully accredited by the Quebec government and receives from the Province one third of its annual operating budget. The Foundation of the Residence is responsible for raising the balance of more than $3.5 million each year.

Young Ambassadors Initiative

We are the Young Ambassadors of the West Island Palliative Care Residence. Our committee consists of young adults who dedicate themselves to educating and raising awareness on the importance of palliative care among their peers. We attain these objectives by organizing events and raising funds in support of the Residence. Whether we’ve directly witnessed the benefits of palliative care through the passing of a loved one or simply recognize that everyone has the right to live their final days with dignity, we all share the common goal of wanting to take part in the future of palliative care. We are ready to explore a new set of challenges with the aim of sparking initiative among youth and placing ourselves at the forefront of palliative care. If you are interested in joining our initiative and becoming a young leader in palliative care, please contact Jessica at jnewey@wipcr.ca.

For more information…

Testimonial

Here is an excerpt from Shannon’s blog writing about her dad’s passing at the West Island Palliative Care Residence. “ ‘I am both the happiest, and saddest I’ve ever been, at the same time… Do you know what I mean?’ he’d ask me just days before he died. A tear rolled down my cheek, a gentle smile on my face, I nodded. I did understand. There was such light, and love in his dying process.” Read the full article here.

Testimonials

“The way I look at it is this: there’s good news and there’s bad news. The bad news is that my condition is terminal. The good news is that I’m in a Palliative Care Residence that allows me to confront death with dignity, something I could have never done without their support.”

Rick

“Privileged to have lived these last moments among you, with the beautiful and great family of the Residence, your warmth, your compassion, your soothing words and gestures enabled us to face this great voyage. I miss Léo; my heart feels empty, but your devotion and the quality of your care made all the difference. We are never ready to see a loved one go, but you knew how to accompany us in dignity. I am very grateful.”

Francine

“We feel blessed that our mom and our family shared our final moments in such a serene, dignified setting and most importantly, free from the excruciating pain she had suffered days prior to her admission at the Residence. Thanks to the West Island Palliative Care Residence, she died peacefully, free of pain and in dignity.”

Anthony

“Everyone at the Residence provided us with kindness, sympathy and understanding. The staff always anticipated Elizabeth’s needs and discomforts and were there to provide excellent medical, professional and emotional support. They also understood the pressures and anxieties of the visiting loved ones and offered an empathetic ear and a kind thought. It was a very difficult time but you made it as comfortable as possible….we will remain forever grateful.”

Richard, Elizabeth’s brother

Partners with a big heart