Hospices in Vaughan and York Region (2027): Residences, Home Hospice and How to Get a Bed
York Region's hospices in one place: Hospice Vaughan's 12-bed residence, Margaret Bahen Hospice in Newmarket, Hill House in Richmond Hill, and the free community hospice programs in Aurora, Newmarket and Markham. How referrals work and what to ask.
By Jonathan Kennedy · Last reviewed November 2026
On this page (5 sections)
York Region's residential hospices include Hospice Vaughan's 12-bed Cortellucci Hospice Vaughan Residence on Islington Avenue, Margaret Bahen Hospice (10 beds) in Newmarket and Hill House Hospice in Richmond Hill. Hospice Vaughan and Hill House both say their care is free of charge, and a bed is arranged through your parent's doctor or health care provider, with the referral sent through Ontario Health atHome.
If you're reading this, someone has probably used the word "hospice" about your mom or dad, maybe this week. You don't have to have the answers yet. Hospice teams in York Region do this every day, and the first call is usually just a conversation.
Do this next:
- Ask your parent's doctor or palliative team to send a hospice referral now, even if home is still working, because beds are limited.
- Call a community hospice (below) for free visiting volunteers and caregiver support while you wait.
- Plan for nights at home: see our palliative care at home guide for how funded and private help fit together.
Which residential hospices are in York Region?
| Hospice | Where | What we confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Hospice Vaughan (Cortellucci Hospice Vaughan Residence) | 9383 Islington Avenue, Vaughan | 12 beds, opened in 2021; for a prognosis of fewer than 90 days; free of charge |
| Margaret Bahen Hospice | 653 Queen Street, Newmarket | 10 beds; the province covers nursing and personal care, donations cover the rest |
| Hill House Hospice | 36 Wright Street, Richmond Hill | A small home-like residence; residents are welcomed "free of charge" |
Evergreen Hospice plans a 3-bed residence in Markham, with construction slated for late 2026 and opening projected for 2027. Until it opens, Markham families are referred to hospices nearby.
What does hospice cost in York Region?
Little or nothing for the care itself. Hospice Vaughan says its programs and services are free of charge, Hill House "welcomes all residents free of charge," and at Margaret Bahen the province pays for nursing and personal care while donations cover the rest. Ask each hospice about smaller costs; Hill House, for example, notes that families pay for medical transport to the hospice.
How do you get a hospice bed in Vaughan or York Region?
- Ask for a referral. Hospice Vaughan says all residence referrals must come "through your family physician or health care provider," submitted through Ontario Health atHome. Hill House also takes calls from families, but a health professional still sends the formal referral.
- Check eligibility. Hospice Vaughan admits people with a prognosis of fewer than 90 days, and may place those with three to six months on a deferred wait list. Each hospice sets its own criteria.
- Call the intake line. Hospice Vaughan intake is 905-850-6266 ext. 301; Hill House suggests calling its intake nurse at 905-737-9308 to start.
- Keep home care strong while you wait. Beds open when they open; tell the hospice if your parent's needs change.
What is community hospice, and who offers it in York Region?
Community hospice brings trained volunteers, caregiver support and grief support to families at home, without a bed. In York Region:
- Hospice Vaughan: palliative, caregiver, child and youth, and grief support, plus in-home social visits. Call 905-850-6266 ext. 203 or 221; most services start with an assessment.
- Hope House Community Hospice (formerly Hospice King-Aurora): visiting hospice support, caregiver support and grief programs for King, south Aurora and Richmond Hill, all at no cost. Call 905-727-6815.
- Doane House Hospice, Newmarket: non-medical support, including a day program, visiting volunteers, caregiver support and bereavement. Call 905-967-0259.
- Evergreen Hospice, Markham: community support at no cost to the client. Call 416-499-2185.
Our take: call a community hospice the same week the word "palliative" comes up. The volunteers and caregiver support are free, and the people who run them know exactly how the local beds work.
What should you ask a hospice?
- What are your admission criteria, and how long is the wait right now?
- Can family visit at any hour, or stay overnight?
- Are there any costs, such as medications, supplies or transport?
- What support do you offer us, the family, before and after?
Frequently asked questions
Does Vaughan have a hospice residence?
Yes. Hospice Vaughan opened the 12-bed Cortellucci Hospice Vaughan Residence at 9383 Islington Avenue in 2021, for people with a prognosis of fewer than 90 days. Referrals come through a family doctor or health care provider via Ontario Health atHome.
How many hospices are there in York Region?
York Region has residential hospices in Vaughan (Hospice Vaughan, 12 beds), Newmarket (Margaret Bahen Hospice, 10 beds) and Richmond Hill (Hill House Hospice), plus community hospice programs in Aurora, Newmarket and Markham. Evergreen Hospice plans a residence in Markham for 2027.
Is Hospice Vaughan free?
Yes. Hospice Vaughan says its programs and services are provided to people of all ages free of charge, including its residence and community programs.
Can a family member refer someone to hospice in York Region?
Families can call to start the conversation; Hill House, for example, suggests calling its intake nurse first. The formal referral for a residence bed is usually sent by a doctor or health care provider through Ontario Health atHome.
Last reviewed November 2026. We keep our guides current as costs, programs, and options change.
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