Community Health Services

Community Health Program – Island Health Region
The Community Health Program provides a variety of clinical staff and supportive services to enable individuals with health-related problems to remain independent in their own homes. Individuals living at home on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and other communities in BC, as well as hospitalized individuals outside the South Island area, who require health care services in their home, are initially assessed by a Registered Nurse from the Central Intake program. Anyone in the community can refer to Central Intake by calling the General Inquiries Line at (250) 388-2273, 1-888-533-2273. Individuals in South Vancouver Island hospitals who require continuation of health care services in their home upon discharge are assessed at the bedside by a Home and Community Care Hospital Case Manager. Hospital clinical staff will refer individuals to the Case Manager. General Inquiries: (250) 388-2273, 1-888-533-2273. www.viha.ca

Elderly Outreach Service – Island Health
EOS provides a comprehensive assessment, coordination and treatment planning service to individuals 65 years and older, who are experiencing late-onset mental health problems. The need for outreach is a service priority.
(250) 953-3966

Community Bathing Programs – Island Health
If you are extremely weak or have physical disabilities and find it difficult to bath safely in your own home, you may benefit from community bathing programs. For a small fee, you can bathe in specially equipped bathtubs, with the assistance of trained staff, at several facilities in the Vancouver Island Health Authority region. Community bathing programs are open to anyone having difficulty bathing safely at home.

Victoria Innovative Seniors Treatment Approach (VISTA) – Vancouver Island Health Authority
Victoria Innovative Seniors Treatment Approach (VISTA) offers outreach services to individuals 55 years and older who are experiencing problems related to alcohol or prescription drugs.  These problems may occur along with late-onset mental health problems, neglect or abuse.  VISTA counsellors provide consultative services, educational workshops and group counselling.
(250) 953-3966

Home Support – Public

Island Health Authority (South)
All referrals to Case Management are screened to determine the client’s level of need. Only individuals with a high level of need for personal care such as bathing, dressing, and toileting will be eligible for subsidized home support through an approved Home Support Agency. Beacon Community Services is contracted by VIHA currently to provide the service and participates in an ongoing Quality Assurance Program and adheres to provincial standards. Contact VIHA Home and Community Care General Inquiry Line at (250) 388-2273 or 1-888-533-2273 to ask about eligibility.

Home Support – Private

Housing

Island Health (South)
Subsidized Assisted Living and Residential Care
General Inquiry Line     (250) 388-2273 or 1-888-533-2273

Assisted Living is a type of housing with services, available through Home and Community Care. Vancouver Island Health Authority subsidizes seniors of low to moderate income who require assistance with personal care and services such as meals and housecleaning. A single monthly charge, calculated at 70% after tax income makes this housing option affordable for persons with low to moderate incomes.

Residential Care services provide a protective, supervised environment and assistance with the activities of daily living for clients who can no longer reside at home due to their need for twenty-four hour professional care. VIHA manages a range of residential care services in the CRD. Some short term admission beds are available for respite care. If clients meet the eligibility criteria set out by the Ministry of Health Services, an assessment can be offered. Access to residential care services is based on a Case Managers’ assessment of need, risk and urgency for facility care. The assessment includes a determination that the client needs 24 hour supervision and professional care, and that the client’s care needs cannot be met with available community resources. VIHA has a ‘first available bed’ policy, meaning that a client with the most  urgent care needs would be placed at the first facility within Vancouver Island Health Authority that had an appropriate bed available.

Independent Living with Support Services and Assisted Living Residences – Private
Apartment living offering private suites or rooms, housekeeping service, meals, activities and security. Residents pay all costs. Residences that are registered with the Registrar of Assisted
Living are noted in the listings. These residences provide assistance with personal care in addition to the support services mentioned above. Health and safety standards have been developed to ensure the well-being of tenants.

Senior Lifestyles: A Housing Guide for Seniors – Senior Living Magazine
A free comprehensive listing of seniors housing options on Vancouver Island. “Senior Lifestyles: A Housing Guide for Seniors” is published twice a year by Senior Living Magazine and is available at various locations in your community.