Connecting Minds Through Compassionate Hearts
Cultivating connection, restoring dignity.
Our Connecting Minds Through Compassionate Hearts initiative is a program rooted in community care and human connection. Launched in 2025, this program is a collaboration between the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society (PGHPCS) and the Prince George Council of Seniors. It’s generously supported by Health Canada and the University of British Columbia.
Who We Serve
- Individuals in the early stages of dementia: Helping them find joy, purpose, and belonging.
- Caregivers and families: Offering guidance, respite, and a circle of support.
Two-Tiered Support
- Companionship Volunteers
Carefully matched with participants based on shared passions—be it gardening, music, woodworking, art, or walking—our volunteers are compassionate, integrated, and trained in dementia care. They bring warmth, empathy, and shared purpose, rekindling connections to life’s pleasures. - Caregiver Support Services
Through the Council of Seniors, caregivers have access to dedicated guidance, peer connection, and valuable resources to strengthen their resilience and capacity for).
What Sets This Program Apart
- Respecting individuality: We honor each participant’s identity, interests, and dignity—believing dementia should never eclipse spirit.
- Evidence-based impact: Our goal is to uplift quality of life—for both individuals and caregivers. We aim to “square the curve” of cognitive decline by fostering social engagement and nurturing purpose through sustained connection).
- Forward-thinking training: Volunteers undergo extensive, expert-led training—including innovative VR simulations that provide insight into the experience of living with dementia.
A Legacy of Community Care
This program carries forward our hospice tradition—valuing every moment and life phase. Building on over 35 years of heartfelt care at PGHPCS—BC’s first standalone hospice. We continue to evolve. Caring for those with early dementia reflects our promise to meet each challenge with presence, compassion, and community.
“We believe that dementia does not erase a person’s identity or spirit… This program is about restoring a sense of belonging and purpose—for both those living with dementia and for the volunteers who companion them.”
— Donna Flood, Executive Director,
Join the Journey
You can help shape compassionate community care:
- Become a Compassionate Companion: Volunteer your time, talent, and heart. Build meaningful connections based on shared interests.
- Support Caregivers: Help us strengthen the backbone of care with guidance, community referral, and respite.
- Spread the Word: Encourage friends or family to join—either as a companion, a caregiver, or a supporter.
When & How
Timing: Year-round engagement, various opportunities through out. Based on each individuals capacity and time.
Training & Support: Volunteers receive thorough training—including VR modules—and ongoing mentorship to ensure a safe, enriching experience.
Accessibility: This program is open to those in early-stage dementia and their caregivers throughout Prince George. As with all Hospice programs there is no charge to attend. For more information or to register:
To enroll in the program; or to find out more about the program
📞 Call: 250-563-2551
📧 Email: ldecroos@pghpcs.ca
To Volunteer
📧 Email: volunteer@pghpcs.ca
🌐 Visit: pghpcs.ca/volunteer/opportunities