Beyond Five Beds: Extending Palliative Support for those Experiencing Homelessness into the Community

Our idea is to restore a 0.2 FTE Community Outreach Worker at George’s House, the George Spady Society’s five-bed palliative residence for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability while living with a terminal illness.

The Outreach Worker serves two closely connected purposes. First, the role helps current residents remain connected to life outside the house. Depending on each person’s health, interests, and wishes, this can mean coordinating community outings, family visits, cultural or spiritual activities, appointments, and other opportunities that contribute to quality of life during the palliative journey.

Second, the Outreach Worker extends George’s House into the wider community. The worker builds relationships with hospitals, shelters, outreach teams, and other service providers to identify people who may benefit from George’s House and help them navigate referral and admission. This is particularly important because the house frequently operates at or near its five-bed capacity. When someone cannot be admitted immediately, the Outreach Worker continues supporting them while they wait, coordinating with other organisations to identify appropriate housing, palliative care, and community services wherever possible. The goal is to ensure that a person facing terminal illness is not left without support simply because a George’s House bed is unavailable.

This is an established role, not a new or untested idea. It was previously supported through a multi-year Healthcare Excellence Canada grant and became integrated into George’s House workflows and community relationships. When that funding ended, the position had to be significantly reduced. Restoring the role would therefore have an immediate impact, with little need for new program development or onboarding.

Over time, we hope to grow the position beyond 0.2 FTE as sustainable funding becomes available. For now, restoring this outreach capacity would strengthen support for current residents while also helping some of Edmonton’s most marginalised community members access appropriate care, connection, and dignity during the final stage of life.

The idea will benefit two closely connected groups.

First, it will support residents of George’s House—people experiencing homelessness or housing instability while living with a terminal illness. The Outreach Worker will help residents remain connected to family, community, cultural and spiritual supports, as well as meaningful activities outside the home. These connections can improve quality of life, reduce isolation, and help residents maintain a sense of identity and belonging during the palliative journey.

Second, it will benefit people in the community who may need George’s House but cannot immediately access one of its five beds. The Outreach Worker will help identify and support these individuals, coordinate referrals, and work with hospitals, shelters, housing providers, and other community organisations to connect them with appropriate palliative care, housing, and related supports while they wait.

The impact also extends to families, friends, and community partners. By strengthening communication and coordination, the role helps families remain involved where appropriate and supports service providers in finding practical options for people with complex needs.

Ultimately, the position helps ensure that limited bed capacity does not mean limited support for those facing homelessness and a terminal illness. It allows George’s House to serve current residents well while extending care and connection to people beyond its walls.