Better at Home Program
What is Better at Home?
Better at Home is a program that helps seniors/elders continue living in their own homes longer and stay connected in the community by providing some basic non-medical support services (www.betterathome.ca). Our services are provided to eligible seniors/elders on a sliding fee scale and some services may be free. The program is funded by the Government of British Columbia and administered across the province by the United Way of the Lower Mainland. In Campbell River, the program is provided by Campbell River Family Services Society.
Who is eligible?
Residents in Campbell River who are 65 years of age and older, and who meet the intent of the program, are able to access the Better at Home services within the program’s resource constraints. Becoming a Better at Home client involves an initial meeting with our staff to discuss the program, confirm eligibility, and complete registration forms.
What services does Campbell River Better at Home provide?
As our resources allow, the Campbell River Better at Home program presently offers Friendly Visiting, Transportation Assistance for medical-related appointments, Light Housekeeping, and Grocery Shopping Assistance. All services are within the City of Campbell River and are provided by qualified, trained volunteers or contract service providers. A Criminal Record Check is required in all cases. The Campbell River Better at Home program aims to complement and integrate with existing local services.
DURING COVID-19 SOME RESTRICTIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS TO Better at Home SERVICES MAY BE NECESSARY.
Is there a cost?
Friendly visiting is provided without cost to eligible seniors/elders. All other services are provided on a sliding fee scale based on annual income. The sliding scale levels are: 100% subsidy, 70% subsidy, 50% subsidy, 30% subsidy, and no subsidy. Fees take into account current market values of similar services in Campbell River, and may be subject to change.
Friendly Visiting: Our volunteers visit at the client’s home once a week as possible. Each visit is about one hour long. If the client wishes, visits can include going for a walk in the immediate neighbourhood when safe to do so. However, Friendly Visiting does not include assisting with household tasks, food preparation or personal care. Friendly Visiting is free and available within the program’s resources.
Transportation Assistance: Our Transportation services are for medical-related appointments within the City of Campbell River and within the program’s resource constraints. We are able to transport clients who use light mobility aids such as canes and light-weight folding walkers, but not heavier equipment such as wheelchairs or heavy walkers.
Light Housekeeping: The number of hours of light housekeeping that may be provided to clients each month is based on understanding the client’s needs and our budget constraints. Cleaning priorities are identified with the client to fit within the available cleaning time. Our contract service provider can offer vacuuming, dusting, cleaning floors, cleaning kitchens and bathrooms, cleaning and organizing the fridge, making beds and emptying garbage. Most other types of cleaning (such as laundry, ceilings/high areas, medical equipment, exterior areas of the home, windows, etc.) are not included in our program.
Grocery Shopping Assistance: Grocery Shopping services include providing transportation to and from the client’s preferred grocery store in Campbell River and/or the local Food Bank, assisting clients with grocery shopping in the store and bringing the groceries into the client’s home. The option of group shopping will be considered when appropriate. This service is dependent on availability of our volunteers and, due to resource constraints, we currently are not able to include shopping for other purposes or errands.
Questions about our Better at Home services or becoming a volunteer?
Please contact our Program manager, Trudy Parry at 250-287-8111 or by email at crbah@volunteercr.ca
and managed by the United Way of the Lower Mainland.
Senior Support Program During COVID-19
It’s incredible how a phone call can brighten your day!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Seniors experiencing social isolation are more likely to experience loneliness or other emotional distress. We want to connect seniors who would benefit from a friendly phone call or video visit with carefully screened volunteers who want to help. Our volunteers can make short weekly wellness calls or, if desired, seniors can be part of our more intensive support program and receive longer phone/video visits.
During the social distancing restrictions of COVID-19, some seniors and others are not able to get their groceries on their own. Our Senior Support Program volunteers can assist with shopping and groceries are delivered to the senior at no extra cost.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Referrals to the program can be by self-referral, friends or family, community services, and medical professionals.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Referrals can be made by phone, fax, or email. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Phone: 250-204-7737⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Fax: 778-346-0016⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
crseniorpeers@gmail.com⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Seniors Supporting Seniors
The Senior Support Program is a FREE, confidential, one-to-one support to women and men 55+ years of age. We provide support to seniors who are experiencing:
- Loneliness
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Isolation
- Depression
- Relocation
- Lifestyle changes
- Bereavement
- Changing relationships with family and friends
- Retirement
- Aging and health concerns
- and more
The goals of the Senior Support Program include:
- Providing encouragement
- Helping people manage their own concerns and worries
- Helping seniors find and utilize available supports and resources
- Helping people feel connected to their community and others
- Engaging senior peer volunteers in meaningful activities
Our Trained Senior Support Volunteers will
- Listen to you
- Respect your need for privacy and confidentiality
- Help you find your own solutions
- Respect your point of view and desire for personal choice
- Assist with finding accurate information
Referrals
Referrals to the program can be by self referral, friends or family, community services and medical professionals.
Referrals can be made by:
- Phone: 250-204-7737
- Fax: 778-346-0016
- Email: crseniorpeers@gmail.com
Volunteers make this program possible!
Most volunteers see one person each week for one hour. This might be a home visit, going for an outing, or participating in a community recreation program. Initial training is provided and support and training meetings are held twice a month.
If you are 55+ and would like to join our team of volunteers, please contact our program coordinator by phone at (250) 204-7737 or by email at crseniorpeers@gmail.com
Until 2019, this program was proudly developed and operated by the VI North Women’s Resource Society.
On April 1, 2019 the Campbell River Volunteer Society was pleased to serve the community by offering this important volunteer program for seniors in our community.
The Senior Peer Support Program is partially funded by a Community Gaming Grant from the Province of British Columbia. This program is supported in part by United Way Central & Northern Vancouver Island. We are thankful for community grants and donations which also support the Senior Peer Support Program. Special thanks to the Campbell River Community Foundation for funding to respond to the need created by COVID19.