Community Update: Home Care and Support Services

Update as of 11;00am, Aug. 16, 2026

The recent evacuation has been difficult for many people in our community. Since returning home, we have received more requests for Home Care/Support and several new referrals.

Our Home Support team is also working with fewer staff than usual. Staff have been affected by the evacuation and are managing many of the same concerns, including stress, anxiety and fatigue. We need to look after our staff so they can continue providing safe and reliable care.

For a period of time, some services may need to be reduced, rescheduled or offered less often. Essential personal care and services needed to protect a client’s health and safety will remain our priority. Tasks that can safely wait, such as some housekeeping, errands or other non-urgent assistance, may be affected.

Decisions will be based on each client’s assessed needs, care plan, available supports and safety risks. If your schedule needs to change, we will contact you directly.

Caring for our community is shared work. We are asking families and other supports to help where they safely can. This may include:

• Shopping and errands;
• Laundry and light housekeeping;
• Meal preparation;
• Moving water containers or other heavy items; and
• Transportation and other non-medical needs.

We understand that not everyone has family or other people available to help. If you do not have support, or if a service change could place you at risk, please let us know. We will review your situation with you.

Home Care/Support staff must follow each client’s approved care plan. Please check with the Home Care Supervisor before asking staff to complete additional tasks, particularly tasks involving transportation or heavy lifting.

We will continue reviewing service levels as staffing and community needs change. We appreciate your patience and understanding as our community recovers.

If you have questions, do not understand this letter or believe your care needs have changed, please contact:

• Bev – Home Care Supervisor 250-308-8479
• Celesta – Home Care RN 250-558-9774
• Lorraine – Integrated Care Manager 250-241-8708