What services does Better at Home coordinate?
Better at Home services vary from community to community. They are designed to compliment existing services and are based on the unique needs of local seniors. The Shuswap Better at Home Program
supports seniors by coordinating the following non-medical services:
Better at Home services vary from community to community. They are designed to compliment existing services and are based on the unique needs of local seniors. The Shuswap Better at Home Program
supports seniors by coordinating the following non-medical services:
Light Housekeeping
Light housekeeping includes tasks that a senior is unable to do themselves. Duties include, but are not limited to:
Kitchen: cleaning counters, wiping cabinet doors, washing floors, wiping stove top and small appliances and cleaning the sink.
Bathroom: washing sinks, wiping counter tops, cleaning toilet, cleaning shower/bathtub, wiping all fixtures, wiping mirrors and accessible windows and washing floors.
Living and other rooms: vacuuming/washing floors.
Light Housecleaning does not include: scrubbing the inside of the oven, moving appliances or large pieces of furniture, cleaning ceilings, heavy lifting (i.e., flipping mattresses), removing window coverings for cleaning, waxing/polishing floors, wiping high windows, dusting high surfaces, organizing cupboards and closets, pest control, etc. If these duties are asked for or obviously needed; with the seniors permission, we may be able to arrange for heavy cleaning by a company that specializes in such services.
Kitchen: cleaning counters, wiping cabinet doors, washing floors, wiping stove top and small appliances and cleaning the sink.
Bathroom: washing sinks, wiping counter tops, cleaning toilet, cleaning shower/bathtub, wiping all fixtures, wiping mirrors and accessible windows and washing floors.
Living and other rooms: vacuuming/washing floors.
Light Housecleaning does not include: scrubbing the inside of the oven, moving appliances or large pieces of furniture, cleaning ceilings, heavy lifting (i.e., flipping mattresses), removing window coverings for cleaning, waxing/polishing floors, wiping high windows, dusting high surfaces, organizing cupboards and closets, pest control, etc. If these duties are asked for or obviously needed; with the seniors permission, we may be able to arrange for heavy cleaning by a company that specializes in such services.
Light Yard Work
Light Yard Work assists seniors only with aspects of yard work that the Senior is not able to do for themselves. This may include, but is not limited to:
Note: Light Yard Work does not include: regular lawn/garden watering, garden maintenance, major pruning, spraying, rototilling, sprinkler maintenance, major landscaping or hardscaping, debris removal, extensive digging, but you may talk to your coordinator about making referrals to skilled services. Service availability may vary by community.
- Lawn mowing
- Weed eating
- Raking
- Sweeping
- Garden bed preparation
- Garden harvesting
- Light pruning
- Walkway maintenance
Note: Light Yard Work does not include: regular lawn/garden watering, garden maintenance, major pruning, spraying, rototilling, sprinkler maintenance, major landscaping or hardscaping, debris removal, extensive digging, but you may talk to your coordinator about making referrals to skilled services. Service availability may vary by community.
Snow Removal
Removal of snow from walkways and driveways, spreading sand, salt or other de-icer as requested and provided by the Senior.
Minor home Repair
Assists seniors only with aspects of home repairs that they are not able to do for themselves. Tasks include, but are not limited to:
Minor Home Repair delivered by Volunteers does not include large equipment or appliance repair; installation of permanent fixtures or mobility aids (ramps, grab bars etc.); floor installation, home renovation or construction; anything that is primarily done for esthetics; and work that involves a certified plumber or electrician.
- Changing light bulbs
- Fixing/replacing knobs, taps and small fixtures
- Assembling simple furniture
- changing batteries in smoke detectors
Minor Home Repair delivered by Volunteers does not include large equipment or appliance repair; installation of permanent fixtures or mobility aids (ramps, grab bars etc.); floor installation, home renovation or construction; anything that is primarily done for esthetics; and work that involves a certified plumber or electrician.
Transportation to appointments
Volunteer Drivers provide safe and reliable door-to-door transportation to medical and other appointments.
Grocery shopping
The need for grocery shopping may be met in a variety of ways within Better at Home, depending on client needs in the community and the range of grocery shopping and delivery services already available. Grocery shopping service delivery options may include:
Taking clients out:
Taking clients out:
- A volunteer driver may take one or more clients to the same grocery store, shopping mall, food bank, farmers’ market, etc.
- Volunteers may help clients take the shopping into their homes
- Clients may be picked up at home or at a centralized pick-up point
- Staff may receive the senior‘s grocery list (in person; via the phone/email) and do the shopping without the client. Groceries are then be delivered later by the staff member. Seniors are encouraged to make their own payment arrangements, but options can be discussed.
- Some grocery stores have their own shop-by-phone or online systems. In this case, Better at Home volunteers or staff may only be required to deliver the groceries.
Friendly Visiting
Friendly visiting may take the form of individual one-on-one visits in a senior’s home or in a public space (e.g. a coffee shop). Friendly visiting may also involve group interactions where clients socialize with each other and not only the service provider. Finally, friendly visiting may involve check-in calls where service providers make regular calls to seniors in the community to provide socialization over the phone.
*Services available vary by community
Who Delivers the Services?
All Better at Home services are delivered by trained volunteers, vetted professional contractors, or staff.
All Better at Home services are delivered by trained volunteers, vetted professional contractors, or staff.
Who pays for Better at Home?
Seniors who receive Better at Home services pay fees based on their income.
These fees-for-service maintain and build the local program.
Seniors who receive Better at Home services pay fees based on their income.
These fees-for-service maintain and build the local program.
