A warm blanket. A sensory tool that eases anxiety. Equipment that helps a patient regain independence. A comfortable place for a family member to sit beside someone they love. Sometimes, it is the thoughtful things that can make an extraordinary difference in a health care experience. For more than 20 years, Comfort in Care™ has helped frontline health care teams bring these meaningful improvements directly to patients, residents and families throughout NL Health Services’ Eastern Urban Zone.
The people providing care every day often see needs that others may not. Through Comfort in Care™, frontline teams can identify and apply for funding for practical, patient-centred initiatives that improve comfort, dignity, emotional well-being, independence, communication and connection.Projects can include adaptive tools, sensory supports, comfort items, therapeutic resources, patient-centred technology and other innovative solutions that make the experience of receiving care a little easier.
Every year, frontline health care teams identify thoughtful ways to make care more comfortable, compassionate and patient-centred. And the need continues to grow. Each year, requests to the Comfort in Care™ program have far exceeded the funding available. We can currently fund only 42% of the requests received. That means 58% of identified needs could go unfunded without additional donor support.These aren’t abstract needs. They are ideas brought forward by the people providing care every day, practical improvements that can bring greater comfort, dignity, independence and connection to patients, residents and families.Your gift can help us say yes to more of them.
Your Gift Gives Comfort.
Your Gift Gives Dignity.
Your Gift Gives a Better Experience of Care.
Since its inception in 2005, Comfort in Care™ has provided more than $1.1 million to initiatives supporting patients, residents and families throughout NL Health Services’ Eastern Urban Zone. Behind every grant is a simple idea: listen to the people closest to patient care and give them the resources to make a difference. With donor support, we can say yes to more of those ideas. Thanks to our current program partner – belairdirect.
You see the need. We can help bring the idea to life. NL Health Services staff working within facilities and programs supported by the Health Care Foundation are invited to apply for Comfort in Care™ funding for initiatives that enhance the experience of care for patients, residents and families. Comfort in Care™ funding is awarded through an annual application process. The call for applications is issued each February, and applications are accepted during this annual intake period. Staff are encouraged to watch for application information and submission deadlines at that time.
Requests Under $2,500
Applications for initiatives valued at less than $2,500 may be submitted directly through the Comfort in Care™ application process. View the guidelines here.
Requests of $2,500or More
Requests valued at $2,500 or more require approval through NL Health Services before they can be considered for funding by the Health Care Foundation. Apply for funding here.
Before You Apply Comfort in Care™ funding is intended for thoughtful, patient-centred initiatives that enhance comfort, dignity, well-being, independence, communication or connection.If you have an idea that could make the experience of care better, we encourage you to apply
The 2026 Comfort in Care™ Grant Recipient Celebration will take place on Wednesday, September 16 at 2 p.m. at the Health Innovation Acceleration Centre. Together, we will celebrate the frontline teams whose ideas are making care more comfortable, compassionate and patient-centred, and the donors who help make those ideas possible.
Every gift helps strengthen health care for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador