Central Okanagan Hospice Association

Record #: KNA0258
Last Modified: 21 Apr 2023
Last Full Update: 21 Apr 2023

Contact Information

Office Phone 250.763.5511
After Hours Phone Vigil cell: 250.212.5877
Fax 250.763.5567
E-Mail hospice@hospicecoha.org
Website www.hospicecoha.org
CanadaHelps Donation Page www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/central-okanagan-hospice-association/
Primary Contact Natasha Girard, Executive Director; Phone: 250.763.5511; Email: hospice@hospicecoha.org
Volunteer Coordinator Bonnie Pontalti, Community Services Coordinator; Phone: 250.763.5511
Social Media Facebook: www.facebook.com/CentralOkanaganHospiceAssociation/ 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/centralokhospiceassoc/ 
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/central-okanagan-hospice-association 
Pinterest: pinterest.com/cohospiceassoc 
RSS: www.hospicecoha.org/feed 
Twitter: twitter.com/COHospiceAssoc

Description & Services

Service Details The Central Okanagan Hospice Association exists to provide quality hospice palliative care programs and services in the Central Okanagan. Hospice palliative care is an approach to care which emphasizes comfort, quality of life and dignity. Through the placement of compassionate trained volunteers COHA meets the unique needs of each person’s journey through serious illness, end-of-life and bereavement. COHA’s programs are delivered in many care settings with a focus on the whole person. 
 
Mission: Offering compassionate care, comfort, support and learning to those who are dying or grieving alone within our community 
Vision: COHA is creating a community where no one has to die or grieve alone 
 
Caregiver Support Groups  
- A safe, supportive, and confidential space where friend and family caregivers can share collective experiences. A weekly virtual meeting, over a secure platform allows you to participate from the comfort of your own home and without leaving your loved one alone.  
 
Family Caregiver Education Series – Fall 2020 
- In partnership with Vantage Living and Jump Start Communications COHA offers an eight-week education series with presentations from our various healthcare partners. Each session is designed to inform and support family caregivers with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to provide confidence and resilience in their caregiving role. Participants may join for the entire series or for one or more session as applicable to their unique caregiving journey. 
 
Bereavement Program 
- Our bereavement program offers a diversity of support to help anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. All of our programs are offered in a safe and respectful space to share, listen and receive compassionate support from others. Programs includes: 
Registered Adult Grief Groups are offered twice a year in the Fall and Spring or often based on needs. The groups may be geared to a specific type of death ie. spouse, child, loss from suicide. Pre-registration is required. 
 
A Bereavement Walking Group meets at various locations to walk on an even terrain along the waterfront or Mission Creek to name a few locations. A walking group is offered once a week in West Kelowna also. The group meets once a week and often meet for coffee afterwards. Pre-registration is required. 
 
One on one support is offered weekly or as needed in person or by telephone with our trained compassionate volunteers. 
Professional counselling is completed by referral through our Associate Director of Bereavement Services, Jessica Hughes. We provide individual short term counselling, specific to grief and loss, due to the death of loved one. Counselling is provided for children to seniors. 
 
Community Visiting 
- Community visiting is a gift of time and those who experience this gift comment on the relief and goodness that volunteers bring to each life and situation.  
Anyone can make a referral to our Community Hospice Visiting program. Please contact Bonnie Pontalti, Community Services Coordinator at 250.763.5511 for more information. 
 
During this pandemic our visiting volunteers continue to provide telephone and virtual supports. COHA continues to take the direction from the Province and Medical Officer to extend the parameters in which we can offer this program at this time. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we protect everyone’s health and the safety together.
Hours Mon-Thu: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm 
Fri: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
How to Apply Please contact 250.763.5511 for further information.
Cost Free

Location

Address & Map
1890 Cooper Rd, Suite 200
Kelowna, BC
Canada V1Y 8B7
Located In Community Kelowna
Major Intersection Cooper Rd and Springfield Ave

Other Details

Accessibility Fully Accessible
Languages English