Home Support and Community Care
The Home & Community Care (H&CC) team includes the Team Lead (Registered Nurse, who provides nursing services), three Home Support Workers (HSWs), and the Elders’ Wellness Coordinator. The H&CC team practices from a family-centered model of care, which means that we work with family members and loved ones to provide the most culturally-appropriate and integrative care to our clients. The H&CC program ensures comprehensive services for Skidegate Elders and those living with chronic and acute health needs. Quality home and community care is a cornerstone of services mandated by the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).
The H&CC team provides a range of health and supportive services including:
- Wound/ostomy care
- Palliative care
- Medication administration/support
- Wellness checks (including blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring support)
- Professional Foot Care services
- Walking and recreation groups
- Medical equipment loans
- Personal care services (i.e. bathing, grooming, toileting)
- Home-making services (i.e. assistance with meal prep, cleaning, laundry, shopping, etc.)
- Transportation for medical appointments*
Contact
Team Lead
Cell: 778-361-0175
Office: 250-637-0703
Home Support Services & Medical Equipment Loans
Office: 250-637-0898
*For long-term clients that meet program eligibility requirements
Referrals for our services can come from a primary care provider (doctor or nurse practitioner) and self referrals.
These services are designed to complement and supplement, but not replace, the efforts of individuals to care for themselves with the assistance of family, friends and community.
Maintenance
Patients on this caseload receive professional nursing services, as well as the services of HSWs, if required. Registered Nurse (RN) services may involve medication administration, catheter/ostomy care, vital sign monitoring, health education, and case management. HSW services may involve assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) (i.e. bathing, toileting, dressing and meal preparation) as well as housekeeping services, shopping assistance, and transportation to medical appointments. Fall prevention services, such as the provision of alert lines (i.e. Lifeline and Telus Companion) and the Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) exercise program are also provided to much of our community members. Patients on this caseload are usually seen daily, weekly, or monthly and consist of the majority of RN and HSW appointments. The team continue to service approximately 25 patients on this caseload.
Long-Term Supportive
Patients on this caseload receive services from an RN for one specific task (i.e. injections, catheter care, ostomy care). The team provide this type of service to approximately 10 patients on this caseload.
Acute
The H&CC RN team also provide care to patients every now and then for short-term health concerns, such as wound care and vital sign monitoring. Patients are referred by their Primary Care Provider and the team receives approximately 4 referrals a month.
Additional Services
The Mobile Diabetes Clinic saw 15 clients for integrative services by qualified diabetes educators, who work with an endocrinologist. Seven additional clients were seen for a diabetes screening (i.e. A1C lab check, random glucose, and blood pressure measurement). Delivering to our community: •
- Approximate total of RN visits: Over 1100 per year
- Approximate total of HSW visits: Over 700 per year
The team welcomed Jaylene Shelford, HSW, into a new full-time position. The team also welcomed Charlotte Barry to the HSW casual pool. One casual RN left (to work in Massett). Two RNs obtained their training in advanced foot care and one HSW participated in a palliative care course.
Meals on Wheels Pilot program
The H&CC program noted a significant need for nutritious prepared meals for several clients on our caseload (notably Elders with limited friend/family supports). For the month of August 2022, eight elders received nutritious lunches three times a week, cooked and delivered by H&CC staff. The overall response from the program participants was very positive! Clients expressed gratitude for the food, noting that it was “very tasty” and “fresh”. Clients found the serving sizes plentiful as well as delicious menus prepared. Participants appreciated the use of local foods and the attention given to ensuring that they had nutritious food as part of their “health care”.
Kidney Check Clinic
In May, a total of 86 Skidegate residents participated in the CanSOLVE Kidney Check program, where H&CC RNs provided screening services for kidney disease (i.e. blood and urine tests, as well as weight and blood pressure readings), and personalized education concerning their kidney health. This event, which was held over two weeks, was thought to be very positively received, and the plan is to conduct another session next year.
Yearly Updates
The Mobile Diabetes Clinic saw 15 clients for integrative services by qualified diabetes educators, who work with an endocrinologist. Seven additional clients were seen for a diabetes screening (i.e. A1C lab check, random glucose, and blood pressure measurement). Delivering to our community: •
- Approximate total of RN visits: Over 1100 per year
- Approximate total of HSW visits: Over 700 per year
The team welcomed Jaylene Shelford, HSW, into a new full-time position. The team also welcomed Charlotte Barry to the HSW casual pool. One casual RN left (to work in Massett). Two RNs obtained their training in advanced foot care and one HSW participated in a palliative care course.