Better at Home Program – Housekeeping Services

SAFE SENIORS, STRONG COMMUNITIES

COVID-19: Service Updates for Better at Home

SHARE Family & Community Services is part of the Government of BC and United Way Safe Seniors, Strong Communities Initiative.

Better at Home Program – Housekeeping Services As more and more people are appropriately self-isolating, many seniors who are able to live independently with the help of family and friends, are finding those supports unavailable. SHARE remains open to help seniors during this time.

Seniors needing assistance may register by calling 2-1-1 or visiting the website: www.bc211.ca

The 211 phone service is available 7 days a week our (8:30AM – 6PM). There may be high call volumes so please try again if you do not get through the first time.

Alternatively you can contact SHARE directly at 604-937-6991. Due to high call volumes it may take us a couple of days to return your call.

Seniors can request volunteer help with grocery shopping, check-in calls, meal preparation and delivery and prescription pick-up.

All seniors aged 65+ in B.C. and living at home are eligible to receive services.

Emergency Covid-19 response services are free of charge to seniors/by donation. Seniors are still responsible for the costs of groceries, prescriptions, prepared meal, etc. as applicable.

What emergency Covid-19 Response services are being offered through Better at Home?

The following services are offered, as needed:

phone and/or virtual check-ins
grocery shopping and delivery
meal preparation and delivery
prescription pickup and drop off

Who is eligible to receive emergency Safe Seniors, Strong Communities Covid-19 Response services?

All seniors aged 65+ in B.C. and living at home are eligible to receive services. Seniors DO NOT need to be already registered with Better at Home to receive services

What is the frequency of service delivery?

The frequency of services will depend on the service needed, availability of volunteers, and needs of seniors and communities

Who provides the emergency Save Seniors, Strong Communities Covid-19 Response services?

SHARE staff and Volunteers are providing these services.

What is the cost for seniors for emergency Safe Seniors, Strong Communities Covid-19 Response services?

All COVID-19 Response services are free of charge/by donation.
Seniors are still responsible for the costs of groceries, prescriptions, prepared meal, etc. as applicable.

What is the process to receive Save Seniors, Strong Communities Covid-19 Response services through Better at Home?

Seniors call into BC 211 (simply dial 2-1-1 on your phone or visit www.bc211.ca)
Information for Tri-cities seniors will be shared with SHARE
Alternatively seniors can call SHARE directly at 604-937-6991.
An intake process will be held with the senior over the phone
Seniors will be paired with a volunteer (or other provider) who is offering the requested service/s
Service delivery will be coordinated through the Better at Home program
Seniors may be triaged to other local organizations to help provide the services

How long will it take for a senior who calls bc211 to be paired with a volunteer?

All calls are responded to within a maximum of 72 hours once received at SHARE Family and Community Services.

When can seniors call to register?

Seniors can register on the 211 website at any time or by calling 211 between 8:30 AM and 6 PM. Alternatively Seniors can call SHARE at 604-937-6991. The SHARE phone is monitored on business days.

How is the safety of seniors being ensured?

Better at Home will do what is necessary to maintain the safety and security of both participants and volunteers.

At intake, an initial Covid-19 screening will take place for all participants which will include a self-assessment– examples of questions asked will be:

Are you currently feeling ill?
Have you travelled recently?
Have you been exposed to anyone who may be symptomatic?

The volunteer onboarding process will include a full intake, compliance agreement, self-assessment criminal records review (including asking the questions above), and support from SHARE’s Better at Home staff team.

What happens if a senior or volunteer in the program begins to show flu-like symptoms or tests positive for Covid-19 after they’ve given/received assistance?

The safety of seniors (and other participants) and volunteers is critically important to SHARE and we will do what is necessary to maintain the safety and security of both seniors / other participants and volunteers.

If a senior or volunteer in the program begins to show flu-like symptoms or has come into contact with someone who they believe may have Covid-19, they are required to notify the SHARE.

Services provided will immediately cease and any people they have come into contact with through the program will be notified. SHARE will work with the senior to look at alternatives to meet their service need.