A team of about 130 community health workers, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and schedulers work together to coordinate and provide in-home care to over 500 patients each day in Prince George. On a busy day, they’ve done up to 725 visits!
This team provides care such as bathing and showering, meal preparation and support, medication administration and support and reminders, safety checks, laundry, bedding, dressing and grooming, and clearing of clutter for safety and cleanliness.
An essential service for families during the pandemic
This team continued to see a high number of clients and families during the first phases of the Northern Health COVID-19 response. The team saw low sick rates among staff members and very low cancellation rates among the families they provide care for. The staff help keep people out of hospital and provide necessary care.
One family had extremely positive feedback about the care their loved one received. She informed a supervisor that she was “blown away” by the staff member that came by their home and provided the "most compassion we've ever experienced."
The family member stated, "I don't know who sent that beautiful angel to us but we are so thankful for her."
The supervisor spoke with the family members for almost ten minutes and they had nothing but positive things to say about the care they received from the team.
Home support services available across the north
Typically, patients are referred to the team by a primary care nurse who identifies a need for this type of care for a person. If you live in Prince George and the care described here seems like something you or a family member might need, contact the manager for community programs, Julie Odynak, at 250-645-6171. If you live elsewhere in the Northern Health region, you can contact your local community health centre or health unit.
Thank you to our home support staff, for all that you do!
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