Welcome
The Teresa Dellar 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.
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 Teresa Dellar 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.
COVID-19 PROTOCOL
Coronavirus – Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence Visit Guidelines
Dear visitors,
We are monitoring closely developments related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the recommendations made by the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services to ensure the safety of our employees, volunteers, patients and families.
We are continually adapting as the situation evolves and, as such, we have put in place restrictions on the number and timing of visitors for each patient, as well as services available to our visitors. More information regarding our measures can be provided through our admission nurses or by calling us at 514 693-1718.
News and Upcoming Events
The 5th annual ‘Course pour la compassion’ walk/run raises a new record-breaking $160,831 net for the Residence
More than 240 people took part on September 25th in the fifth annual ‘Course pour la compassion’ , a walk/run to benefit the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence. This year again, the event took place virtually, and together, participants raised a record-breaking $145,000 net all of which will be directed to providing quality palliative care to patients and support for their families.
The ‘Course’ allows participants of all ages and abilities to take part in a 1K, 5K, 10K or 15 K walk/run routes and create personal crowdfunding pages to raise funds for the cause. The beauty of this virtual race is that participants could walk or run their distance from wherever they were – in their neighborhood, on a treadmill, at the cottage, with their dog – it was your race, at your pace!
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Click here to see a thank you video.
Another very strong showing of community support as the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence 11th Annual Golf Tournament raises $605,000 in net profit
The 11th Annual Golf Tournament of the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence, which was held on August 30, 2021 at the prestigious Royal Montreal Golf Club, generated net profit of $605,000 for the Residence. Over the last eleven years, the Residence’s annual golf tournament has established itself as one of the main fundraisers and has raised a total of $3 million ensuring patients live the final chapter of their lives in the best and most fulfilling manner possible, with dignity and at peace.
As Dale Weil, Executive Director of the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence said following the announcement of the results: “We are amazed by the ongoing support we receive from the community, year after year. There truly is no greater gift than assuring someone’s care as they are dying. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we can continue our mission : ensuring ourpatients are living their last days with dignity, surrounded by love, compassion, family and friends, because of the support we receive from the community.”
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Interprofessional Education Day “ Diversity & Inclusivity: An Interprofessional Approach in Palliative Care”
Join us on September 10th for an exciting interactive, online professional development education day addressing the important aspects of diversity and inclusivity in supportive and end of life care.
The topics and case study addressed will interest all healthcare professionals whose work includes caring for patients with progressive, life-limiting and advanced illness.
This 2 credit-per-hour Group Learning program meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Quebec College of Family Physicians, a continuing professional development – accrediting organization recognized by the Collège des médecins du Québec, and has been approved for 13 Mainpro+® credits under the condition that the ethical standards are met.
Click here to view the full program or to register
Summer is Full of Life
“At the Residence we are always looking for ways to enhance the experience of our patients and families, to create special memories that have meaning and relevance, to make them feel special. Thanks to the team’s creativity and courage, and a safe and secure environment, we continue to build on our foundation of compassionate palliative care”, said Dale Weil, Executive Director of the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence.
Music therapy is hitting a high note
Music has always played an important part day to day in many rituals and celebrations at the Residence – and it can be heard as soon as one walks through the doors.
Music therapy, which is clinical use of music to achieve therapeutic goals, has been available to all our patients and families since the arrival of Dan Goldman in April. “Through the clinical use of music interventions we can accomplish individual goals in a therapeutic relationship. I strongly believe that music therapy has the power to address four key components to a patient’s journey: physiological, emotional, social and spiritual needs,” explains Dan, the Residence’s Music Therapist. “Thanks to music, we can alleviate symptoms such as pain, agitation, and anxiety and enhance communication and quality of life.”
Healing through Walking and Gardening
Prior to the pandemic, the Residence would hold multiple in-person bereavement sessions groups during the winter, the spring and the fall. During Covid-19, we adjusted our approach and carried out these sessions online via Zoom. The Residence hopes that in-person groups can begin in the fall. In the meantime, and to support those in need during the summer, the Residence has launched two new and innovative programs: Growing with Grief and Walking with Grief.
Jean Cameron Award presented to Françoise B. Vien
A Virtual Tour of the Residence
We are pleased to be able to share a glimpse into our new consolidated facility, that has been fully renovated thanks to our “Caring and Sharing” Capital Campaign. The Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence is warm and welcoming with wonderful gardens and lots of space to socially distance.
Due to COVID we have not been able to invite you in to see all the changes, and so we are pleased to offer this Virtual Tour that highlights the care, the staff and the surroundings. We hope you enjoy seeing the new spaces and the renovated areas. We thank our donors for making it happen.
$515,000 net raised at the 22nd Annual Valentine‘s Ball – ’Show the Love’ Virtual Edition
A Virtual Event with an at-home Gastronomic Experience
The 22nd Annual Valentine’s Ball benefitting the Residence was a huge success raising $515,000 net thanks to the generosity of more than 400 guests, sponsors and donors.
The event was held on a web platform in a fully reimagined format adapted to respect the current pandemic guidelines. Guests enjoyed a four-course gourmet meal delivered to their homes as well as participated in an interactive virtual online program with a combination of live in-studio and pre-recorded content that featured exclusive musical performances, special guests and entertainment.
Watch a recording of the virtual event here
See photos from the evening here
Read more here
Annual Holiday Service 2020
Our annual Holiday Service is an important tradition at the Residence, and we were delighted to be able to hold it virtually last week. Our patients, their families, and staff were all able to tune in to the celebration, led by Director of Clinical Care, Manuella Piovesan and our supportive care team. Musicians Anna Graham and Bradley Cooper-Graham provided the beautiful music. Since the theme of the readings was “light”, 
we made sure each patient had a beautiful candle in their room during the service.
The video of the service is now available if you’d like to watch: https://youtu.be/IXv4S1I2Bng
The Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence Raises 82,000 $ net during its annual Gourmet Dinner & Wine Auction
The Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence Gourmet Dinner & Wine Auction, which was held on November 21, 2020 in a unique in-home experience, raised an impressive $82,000 net.
This year, the pandemic led the Residence to revisit its annual event and to create a new formula in the form of an in-home experience! Partnering with the Forest & Stream Club for its gourmet dinner, participants received a three-course meal for two, wine to accompany the meal and other delicacies, all beautifully packaged in a custom wine crate and delivered on their doorstep last Saturday.
The 4th annual ‘Course pour la compassion’ walk/run goes virtual and raises a record-breaking $104,438 net for the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence
More than 280 people took part virtually on September 26th in the fourth annual ‘Course pour la compassion’ , a walk/run to benefit the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence. Together, they raised an astonishing/record-breaking $104,438 net all of which will be directed to providing quality palliative care to patients and support for their families. Although the event had to be postponed from its original Spring date due to the pandemic, the organizing committee reinvented this key fundraising activity for the Residence and was thrilled to have so many participants join virtually. The ‘Course’ allows participants of all ages and abilities to take part offering 1K, 5K or 10K walk/run routes and create personal crowdfunding pages to raise funds for the cause.
The West Island Palliative Care Residence unveils its new name and pays tribute to its late co-founder Teresa Dellar. The Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence is inaugurated
KIRKLAND, Quebec, September 10, 2020 – Today, the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence was officially inaugurated. Paying tribute to co-founder Teresa Dellar, M.S.C., MSW, PSW, FT, who died on August 19, 2019, the name change honours her work bringing palliative care to the community, 20 years of inspirational, caring leadership and reinforces her vision and values that will live on at the Residence. The event also marked the closing of the “Caring & Sharing – Under One Roof” Capital Campaign which raised $14,570,000 million for the Residence to support the community with quality palliative care.
Another very strong showing of community support as the West Island Palliative Care Residence 10th Annual Golf Tournament raises $375,000 in net profits
The 10th Annual Golf Tournament of the West Island Palliative Care Residence, which was held on August 31, 2020 at the prestigious Royal Montreal Golf Club, generated net profits of $375,000 for the Residence. Over last ten years, the Residence’s golf tournament has established itself as one of its main event and has raised a total of close $2,5 million ensuring patients live the final chapter of their lives in the best and most fulfilling manner possible, with dignity and at peace.
Mourning the Loss of Kappy Flanders
We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kappy Flanders on Saturday. She was one of the great leaders in palliative care, a true visionary and instrumental in bringing palliative care into practice. Her commitment to education and advocacy combined with a generous philanthropic spirit and relentless determination made her a force to be reckoned with in advancing palliative care. Kappy was a great friend to the Residence – a mentor and supporter in many ways. In May 2017, she was the first recipient of the Residence’s Balfour Mount Award, in recognition of her commitment to palliative care through her leadership in philanthropic and community support. This award was established by our late co-founder, Teresa Dellar and is one of our Presidents’ Awards honouring the pioneers in palliative care. Kappy also graciously served as an honorary patron for our recent “Under One Roof” capital campaign, and was looking forward to seeing our completed project. We will greatly miss Kappy and send our heartfelt sympathies to her family, hoping that their pride for her undeniable positive impact coupled with many lasting memories will bring comfort at this most difficult time.
Nursing and Social Work Scholarship in Honour of Teresa Dellar
The West Island Palliative Care Residence is proud to announce the creation of the Teresa Dellar Scholarship in Nursing at both Université de Montréal and McGill University. Concurrently, Teresa Dellar’s family and the newly formed Teresa Dellar Community Foundation will be sponsoring scholarships in Social Work at both universities.The West Island Palliative Care Residence will now be known as the Teresa- Dellar Palliative Care Residence to pay tribute to its co-founder
We are thrilled to inform you that we will be changing the Residence’s name to the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence, to honour our beloved Teresa.
Just prior to announcing that we will be renaming the Residence to the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence we shared a tribute video honouring Teresa’s life’s work, achievements, and contributions to palliative care.
Dale Weil Appointed Executive Director of the West Island Palliative Care Residence
The Operations and Foundation Boards of the West Island Palliative Care Residence are proud to announce the appointment of Ms. Dale Weil as the new Executive Director for the Residence, effective January 6, 2020.
Dale has been involved with the Residence for the last ten years, having served on both Boards in various capacities since 2009. Most recently, she played a significant role in helping to create the Montreal Institute for Palliative Care and has spent the last 18 months serving as Managing Director for the Institute. Dale brings with her more than 35 years of experience, including over 20 years in leadership positions in food and healthcare sectors, along with extensive experience in the non-profit sector.
Presidents’ Awards 2019
On October 17th, in conjunction with Projection Week Montreal, we held the fourth 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
