When the Palliative Care Unit opened in St. Paul’s Hospital in May 1989, it was the first in Canada to make no distinction between people dying with cancer or dying with HIV/AIDS. It was a place where barriers were removed. It set a standard of care for other palliative care units and hospices. As a volunteer, it was not uncommon for me to see the partner of a young man dying of AIDS, and the partner of someone dying of cancer, together on the unit, realizing their grief and sorrow at losing a loved one went beyond notions and stereotypes.

To face the growing need for specialized HIV/AIDS care, and after much consultation with other AIDS organizations and health care providers, in April 1997, the Dr. Peter Centre Day Health Program opened its doors in an old wing of St. Paul’s Hospital. One year later, a ten-person 24-hour care Residence was added. The creation of the Dr. Peter Centre, inspired by the vision of Dr. Peter Jepson-Young, provided a specialized health care facility to provide Comfort Care for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Today, in addition to the Day Health Program, the Dr. Peter Centre Residence offers 24-hour nursing care and assisted living, with 24 private suites. It is a home for those who need palliative care, longer-term medically complex care, and shorter-term stays for respite, or until health improves. When a resident becomes palliative, the Dr. Peter Residence staff work with the resident to also access Home Hospice support just as anyone dying in their own home would do. The Home Hospice provides extra support with additional nursing visits and consultation with a Home Hospice physician. Dr. Peter Centre nursing staff provides the ongoing care with support from volunteers for bedside vigils. All residents have the support of this caring and diverse team.

Most residents of the Dr. Peter Centre choose to die “at home” in their own suite. I recall the journey of one such resident, L. From an early age, L. lived alone in downtown eastside hotels, emergency shelters, or homeless on the street. Despite her outward appearance, L. was a lady to the core. When she walked, she was like a model strutting down a runway. She had long graceful hands and wonderful blue eyes. One morning, after a serious seizure, L. was taken to hospital. L. was dying, and it would probably not be more than a couple of hours before she would be gone.

Dr. Peter Centre Residence staff knew that L. had expressed many times she wanted to die in her own bed, in her own suite. Despite challenges, the Dr. Peter Centre staff took L. “home”. Although it seemed she was unaware of her surroundings, L. became visibly relaxed, her color changed, and it was clear she knew she was home. Staff, volunteer and residents sat vigil with her. We played her favorite Patsy Cline music. I remember another resident coming in to say goodbye: “This is the way it should be, L. is here in her home, surrounded by people who care for her.” L. died peacefully later that night-she was not alone, she was supported by people who cared for her, and loved her.

L’s story is only one example of what Dr. Peter must have meant when he envisioned Comfort Care for people living with HIV/AIDS. I have chosen the Dr. Peter Centre as this part of my journey because it fuels the 3 passions of my life: HIV/AIDS awareness and care; Hospice/ Palliative Care; and the importance, value and power of volunteers. I am privileged to be a part of Dr. Peter’s legacy of Comfort Care.