Other Providers of Home Care Services
Many of the services offered by VIHA on a subsidized basis are also provided in the community by other organizations. We have offered some referrals to these programs here, but you may also wish to check the Seniors Serving Seniors Directory for other providers.
Home Care Nursing and Home Support
Additional home nursing and home support services to those authorized through VIHA can be purchased from Beacon Community Services. These services can also be purchased from one of the private home care agencies that can be found in the yellow pages, online or listed in Seniors Serving Seniors Directory.
Live-In Home Support Services
Home support on a long-term basis, including personal care, meal preparation and housekeeping, can be provided by a full-time live-in caregiver. Several private agencies organize live-in caregivers on a short or long-term basis to provide full-time care for seniors in their own homes. This option can be combined with subsidized home support and presents a more affordable approach to remaining at home instead of moving in to complex care. The following agencies provide live-in caregivers for seniors and those with a disability.
Tender Care Nannies | 250-217-2139 |
Surework Solutions | 250-361-2028 |
Adult Day Programs
Adult Day Programs offer assistance with daily living activities as well as social, recreational and educational programs. The following organizations offer private Adult Day Programs in Greater Victoria.
Douglas Care Community | 250-383-9011 |
Mt Newton Centre Society | 250 652-3432 |
Open Hearts | 250-391-9827 |
Sidney Senior Day Care & Educational Centre | 250-656-7176 |
Dental Programs
Good dental health and oral hygiene are very important to overall health and well-being. Remember to visit a dentist at least once a year. Some dental hygienists can make home visits if it becomes too difficult to visit the dentist on a regular basis. General information about dental care for aging people can be provided by the Vancouver Island Health Authority's Dental Programs.
VIHA Dental Programs | 250-519-5100 |
Mobile Dental Hygiene Services | 250-391-9022 |
Smiles at Home Dental Hygiene Services | 250-381-0357 |
Respite Care
Sometimes seniors who normally are able to live at home with support need short-term respite care in a facility. This might be because the person is in need of greater care after surgery or an illness, or a senior's caregiver may need a scheduled break from their responsibilities.
Several assisted living facilities in Victoria offer short-term stays for post-surgery or post-illness care or caregiver breaks. For more information visit the VIHA website's respite care section.
Bereavement
Beacon Community Services - Bereavement Counselling |
250-656-0134 |
Beacon Community Services - Senior Peer Counselling |
250-656-5537 |
Several organizations exist which can help you through the difficult time of grieving and loss. Beacon Community Services provides bereavement counselling for youth, adults, and seniors in addition to Senior Peer Counselling and other counselling services. These are completely confidential and payment is by donation. Please refer to the Seniors Serving Seniors Directory for a list of other organizations who provide support and counselling.
Other Support Services
In addition to the health care support services discussed above, there are many organizations which focus on a specific disease or health issue.
Below is a list of the health-related support services available in Greater Victoria. While every effort has been made to be as comprehensive as possible, more specialized services may be found by asking a physician or VIHA Case Manager.
Organization |
Phone Number |
Aboriginal Health – Aboriginal Diabetes Team and Health Nutritionist |
250-370-8258 |
Aboriginal Health –Saanich First Nations Adult Care Society |
250-544-1627 |
250-479-3963 |
|
Abuse – Men’s Trauma Centre |
250-381-6367 |
Abuse – Women’s Sexual Assault Centre |
250-383-3232 |
Addictions – Al-Anon |
250-383-4020 |
Addictions – Alcoholics Anonymous |
250-383-0415 |
Addictions - Gambling Helpline |
1-888-795-6111 |
Addictions – Narcotics Anonymous |
250-383-3553 |
Addictions – Seniors outreach Resource Team (SORT) |
250-953-3966 |
Advocacy – Seniors Entitlement Service |
250-388-7696 |
Advocacy – VIHA Patient Care Quality Office |
250-370-8383 |
250-384-2366 |
|
Alopecia Support Group |
250-656-2167 |
250-382-2052 |
|
1-800-708-3228 |
|
Animal Therapy – Pacific Animal Therapy Society |
250-656-4283 |
250-519-4000 |
|
250-598-2277 |
|
Bereavement – BC Bereavement Help Line |
1-877-779-2223 |
Brain Injury |
250-598-9339 |
250-592-2244 |
|
Caregiving - Family Caregivers Network Society |
250-384-0408 |
Counselling - BC Families in Transition |
250-386-4331 |
Counselling - Esquimalt Neighbourhood House Society |
250-385-2635 |
Counselling - Pacific Centre Family Services (Victoria) |
250-478-8357 |
Counselling – Salt Spring Island Community Services |
250-537-9971 |
Counselling – Senior Peer Counselling – Salt Spring Seniors Services Society |
250-537-4607 |
Counselling – Senior Peer Counselling – Seniors Serving Seniors |
250-382-4331 |
Counselling – South Island Centre for Counselling and Training |
250-472-2851 |
Diabetes – Canadian Diabetes Association |
250-382-5454 |
Disability – Victoria Disability Resource Centre |
250-595-0044 |
Elder Abuse – Community Response Network |
250-592-2927, ext 222) |
Elder Abuse – Women’s Transition House |
250-385-6611 |
Epilepsy and Parkinson’s – Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre |
250-475-6677 |
Fibromyalgia – Vitoria Fibromyalgia Networking Group |
250-381-5202 |
Grandparents and Parents – Parent Support Services Society of BC |
250-384-8042 |
Hearing – Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre |
250-592-8144 |
250-382-4035 |
|
250-595-3892 |
|
Incontinence – Canadian Continence Foundation |
1-800-265-9575 |
Kidney – Kidney Foundation of Canada |
1-800-567-8112 |
250-595-3650 |
|
1-800-665-5864 |
|
Lupus Support Group |
250-478-1733 |
Mental Health – BC Schizophrenia Society of BC |
250-384-4225 |
Mental Health – Mayne Island Help Line |
250-539-5925 |
Mental Health – Mood Disorders Association of BC |
250-474-3065 |
Multiple Sclerosis – MS Society of Canada |
250-388-6496 |
Osteoporosis – Osteoporosis Canada |
1-800-463-6842 |
Ostomy – United Ostomy Association of Canada |
250-477-0266 |
Panic Disorders /Agorophobia Secure Support Group |
250-598-9979 |
250-655-8849 |
|
Psoriasis Clinic |
250-519-1511 |
Salt Spring Seniors Services Society |
250-537-4604 |
250-652-2698 |
|
Sexually Transmitting Diseases – STI Clinic |
250-388-2220 |
250-658-3270 |
|
250-361-9433 |
|
250-595-1100 |