Care & Compassion Family Testimonials
  • Everything about Foothills Country Hospice deserves more than 5 stars. From the amazing staff and volunteers to the top notch facility and spectacular views. The care and love my Mom received while there was exceptional. I'd like to give a special thank you to everyone that made myself, my family and friends, and especially my daughter feel comfortable during our time there. I can honestly say you made it feel like we were coming home as opposed to visiting. You made this transition as bearable as it could possibly be and for that I am indebted to you. - Patient Family Member

The Foothills Country Hospice is a place of refuge where all of us – staff & volunteers – work to create an atmosphere of care and dignity for those we serve, including offering bereavement support to loved ones.

Our History

The Foothills Country Hospice began with the dreams & visioning efforts of some extraordinary local citizens who saw the need for a rural hospice home in the MD of Foothills. Learn more

Our Facility

Our eight bed, 13,500 sq. ft. rural hospice home is located 1.5 km north of Okotoks on an 8-acre parcel of land, neighbouring golden canola fields & nestled among forested landscapes with mountain views. Learn more

Programs & Services

We believe in providing the utmost care and compassion for
those we serve, including bereavement support for loved ones. Learn more

Donate Now

Help reach our $1.5 Million fundraising goal.

Mission

Embracing quality in living, compassion in death, and support in bereavement to the Foothills community.

Vision

Reaching beyond our hospice walls to help one another through the end of life's journey.

 

Our Values

Safe, Quality Care
Compassion
Dignity & Respect
Teamwork
Volunteerism
Community

Our Facility

Our eight bed, 13,500 square foot facility is located 1.5 km north of Okotoks on an eight-acre parcel of land with beautiful mountain views.

Patient rooms are private, spacious and tastefully decorated, featuring an electric bed, private phone, closets, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, fridge and a dedicated space for personalizing the room with familiar decor and objects.

Meals are prepared on-site in our commercial kitchen at no cost to patients. In addition to our full kitchen and dining area, we have a common living room, patient spa, family room and guest suite.

Outdoors, guests will find a meditative labyrinth, trickling waterfall, forested walking paths and a multitude of gardens.

PLEASE NOTE, WE ARE A SCENT FREE ENVIRONMENT

Virtual Tour

  • Unlike the sobering atmosphere of a hospital, the Foothills Country Hospice emanates sweet solitude and soulful comfort, welcoming terminally ill patients and their families into the warm embrace of hospice care. It is a merciful stopover on the homestretch of life. – Pat Fream, Journalist - Routes Magazine

Our Staff

Foothills Country Hospice staff embrace innovation and deliver specialized, holistic, compassionate end-of-life care in a sustainable and positive environment.

Meet our Board

2023-2024 Board of Directors

  • Shaun Dyer, Executive Director
  • Karen Tiedje, Clinical Manager
  • Dr. Oelschig, Medical Director
  • Rhiannan Harris, Clinical Educator
  • Lindsey Lattoni, HR Advisor
  • Shanon Maksymich, Development Officer
  • Chantel Van Buren, Administrative Officer

    • Bonnie Palmer, Volunteer Coordinator
    • Kelly Rockabar, Clinical Administrator
    • Kevin Trotter, Facilities Manager
    • Christy Kidd, Accountant
    • Catherine Kwasnecha, Housekeeping Lead
    • Derek Zimmer, Head Chef
    • Jenny Wisby, Family Centered Care Liaison
    • Robyn Alford, Communications Associate
    • Lindsey Dunham, Events Coordinator

      • Foothills Country Hospice is currently seeking members to join our Board.

      These volunteer positions require committee work and monthly meetings. The Board of Directors is a governance board that oversees professional structure and fiscal management of the Foothills Country Hospice.

      Interested persons should submit a Statement of Interest or Resume to sdyer@countryhospice.org by April 29, 2024.

      For more information on this opportunity, please click here.

      Strategic Plan

      Our strategic plan can be found here: Foothills Country Hospice 2021-2024 Strategic Plan

      Our History

      Foothills Country Hospice began with the dreams and visioning efforts of a few local citizens who saw the need for a rural hospice in this area.

      As early as the mid-1990s, people were having conversations about building a free-standing country hospice in the Foothills M.D. Some of those involved in the earliest conversations were Cheryl Mullin-Reinhart, RN, Dr. Eric Wasylenko, Dr. Jim Hansen, and Rev. Marilyn Evans. More voices joined the conversations and on June 1, 2001, the first official meeting was held.

      In the weeks that followed, the founding board of the Foothills Country Hospice Society was formed. The board included those named above, as well as Joanne Grout, Jennie Willings, Ginny Cox, Wendy Gilmore, Carol Close, Elaine Mansfield and Paul Cox. This group of eleven included two nurses, a United Church minister, two physicians, two physiotherapists, a school teacher, a marketing and sales consultant, a psychotherapist and a businessman. This first board was truly a group of diverse, yet like-minded people, coming together for a common goal.

      As their work together progressed, visions were shared, team building commenced, and commitment to the project was cemented. Many tasks were identified and each person assumed responsibilities that were best suited to his/her skills and abilities. Even so, many members of the board were on a steep learning curve!

      Two of the earliest tasks were forming a foundation and becoming a charitable organization, both of which were achieved in September of 2002. Committees were then formed to gather needed information for many pursuits including community education and engagement, fund-raising, marketing, and acquiring property. The beautiful piece of land which was finally chosen for the hospice was donated by a local physician and one of the founding members, Dr. Jim Hansen and his wife.

      Many other tasks needed to be accomplished before the vision of a rural, hospice home could become a reality. Board members pursued potential government and Alberta Health Services involvement and applied for grants. Fund-raising plans were developed and included service group presentations, gala events, golf tournaments, ‘pledge day’ with a local radio station, designated charity events, raffles, garage sales and book sales.

      A great deal of work went into implementing these fundraising and public education plans, and it was through these efforts that the community at large became informed, engaged and committed to the hospice project. Support from individuals and groups in the surrounding communities continued to grow over time, which was very gratifying to everyone involved.  A “Heart for Hospice” began to beat in the MD of Foothills.

      Because of all the tremendous commitment, enthusiasm and generous support, the Foothills Country Hospice accepted its first patient on January 28, 2008.