Companionship & Support
For more information about the services shown below, please phone 250-495-1590 or email: info@dvhs.ca.
Dementia & Alzheimer's Support
Desert Valley Hospice Society offers support for caregivers, families, and clients living with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Our goal is to:
- Provide comfort and a means for sharing experiences
- provide support to help you live with this illness
- help identify and access community and healthcare services
- identify resources that can help with needs now and in the future
- help when life gets challenging
Sharing stories with trained volunteers, being able to seek advice from others living similar experiences, and simply having others ready to listen to you on a regular basis, helps lower caregiver stress and alleviates the health risks that caregivers face.
Our Society has information on community resources for Alzheimer’s education and services that can ease some of the workload.
Grief & Bereavement Support
Desert Valley Hospice Volunteers are specially trained to provide you and/or your family with in-person grief and bereavement support. Visits take place at the Supportive Care Centre in Osoyoos at a time most convenient for you.
All services are free of charge and your confidentiality is assured. We have a resource list of additional professional support, if needed, and we have a resource lending library, should you wish to access information about grief and bereavement.
In addition, the Society offers a telephone bereavement call service. Part of the Wellness Check-in Call program, you may request a Volunteer to speak with you on a regular basis over the phone.
Our Grief Support Line is 250-495-1590 You may leave a confidential message and your call will be returned.
Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-784-2433
Walking Through Grief
Trained Hospice Volunteers facilitate a grief walking group in Oliver & Osoyoos. We walk along the Oliver Hike & Bike Path. Bereavement walks provide an opportunity to gather with other local residents who have lost a loved one and are experiencing grief. Groups offer a supportive space to walk, talk, and share, while receiving fresh air and gentle exercise. This is seasonal and will commence again in the Spring of 2026
There is no charge to participate. Walkers may join at any time throughout the year.
For more information or to pre-register call 250-495-1590 or email info@dvhs.ca
Dealing With Loss Seminar: A 10-week Journey
Join us in a grief journey following the Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart as outlined in Alan Wolfelt’s book Understanding Your Grief. Led by our Grief Support Group Facilitators, this grief group includes sharing, support, and grief education. This Journey is free of charge and all supplies will be provided for you.
- A check-in in which each participant will have a chance to speak to where they are at in their grief that day
- A presentation on a topic intended to support you in your grief
- A discussion of other predominant themes of the day
If you are interested in this seminar, please phone 250-495-1590 or email info@dvhs.ca
SHINE - Supporting Healthy Interactive Needs of Elders
SHINE is a program of workshops for caregivers of loved ones living with Dementia or Alzheimer’s or loved ones with palliative, hospice, or life-limiting care needs.
Giving care to a loved one is hard, hard work, usually both emotionally and physically draining. In order to have the energy and strength to continue to provide care, a caregiver must take care of themselves. Desert Valley Hospice Society is here to help you as a caregiver by providing a space to share your experiences with others on the same journey and to learn from each other. Direction to supporting resources in the community will be provided.
For more information and to join us, please call the Program Coordinator Kathy Hankinson at 250-495-1590 ext. 103.
Wellness Check-in Calls
People who register for our Wellness Check-in Calls are matched with one of our volunteers. The volunteer will schedule telephone calls with the client and check-in, providing conversation, companionship and a connection to the community.
It is especially beneficial for persons feeling lonely, far from family, or isolated. For people struggling with communication, the Wellness Check-in Calls provide an opportunity for audio-socialization and anxiety relief.
Wellness Check-in Calls are offered to residents of the communities of Oliver, Osoyoos and Okanagan Falls who are living in their own homes or in retirement residences. All calls are scheduled with the client’s permission.
If you know someone who would benefit from this program, encourage them to register with us. You may also choose to register them on their behalf, with their consent.
For more information and to join us, please call 250-495-1590 or email info@dvhs.ca.