VON Erie St. Clair Community Health Guide– Sarnia-Lambton Site

Community Health Guide

Your source for VON Canada programs and services in Sarnia-Lambton.

Dear Reader,

The Community Health Guide has been developed to inform the local community of the health care services provided by VON Sarnia-Lambton. Our teams of dedicated and passionate staff are ready to help you find solutions that fit your needs as a client or caregiver.

VON offers home care, personal support, and community support services to enhance each client’s quality of life by providing them with the personal assistance and support needed to make them comfortable in their own home.

What sets VON apart in the home health care industry?

• VON is a not-for-profit health care organization and registered charity that cares for all ages and stages of life. VON believes that all people have the right to quality home health care regardless of their ability to pay;

• VON services are guided by a profound sense of respect for individuals and their right to make choices about and participate in their own care. Personal values and cultural traditions are considered when a plan of care is developed and family members are encouraged to be partners in the planning and delivery of care;

• VON Canada is accredited by Accreditation Canada which gives you the peace of mind knowing that you and your family are receiving the highest quality of care available;

Already a VON client? Thank you for being a part of our family. We invite you to read this guide to learn about all the services we offer in case we can assist you further.

If you are not a VON client we invite you to read this guide to find out how we can help your family, or pass it on to someone you know that may need our services.

How can you help your community? VON relies on the support of our community in the form of volunteers, individual donors and corporate donors. Please read page 11 for more details.

We look forward to serving you and the Sarnia-Lambton community.

Paula Vanthournout Senior Manager, Home and Community Care VON Erie St Clair

Our Mission and Vision

LIVE EVERYDAY

VON Canada has been pioneering care at home for over 125 years. Today, we are a highly-trusted non-profit organization that works with our clients, employees, volunteers and partners to provide innovative clinical, personal and social support to people who want the comfort and peace of mind of living in their own homes and communities.

OUR VISION

Every life lived to the fullest

OUR MISSION

We help people live in their homes and communities by delivering the caring support that they and their families need.

Our vision and mission reflect our commitment to providing care that helps make every day as full of meaning and hope as possible. As a registered charity and not-for-profit corporation, our business is all about the difference we make in people’s lives. This commitment sets us apart: everything we do is focused on helping people to live their best lives possible. Every day.

We believe that everyone has the right to care regardless of their circumstances. That’s why VON Sarnia-Lambton works hard to raise donations that are used to bring valued care to our clients and their families.

Our values help guide how we work as a team and with our clients and families:

OUR VALUES

Respect – we support others honestly, openly and fairly. Compassion – we listen and serve with sensitivity, empathy and concern.

Excellence – we commit to everyday improvement in all that we do.

We strongly believe that clients and their families have the right to make informed decisions about their care, and we encourage them to become partners in both the planning and delivery of their care. Personal and cultural values are part of that, and we ensure that every Plan of Care we develop responds to the needs and concerns of our clients and their families.

With the help of our funders, donors, volunteers and committed staff, we offer a mosaic of programs and services across Sarnia-Lambton that provide real hands-on help to seniors, children, youth and adults who need extra support. Together with our clients and their families, we contribute to the health and improved quality of life of Canadians in their homes and communities, where they want to be.

Giving to VON Sarnia-Lambton

By becoming a VON donor, you will have a direct impact on the lives of children, individuals, and families across SarniaLambton. Your donation stays local, and 100% of your gift is directed to ensuring excellence in direct programming to clients.

There are many ways to give! Become a monthly donor today to ensure sustainability in donor funds for programming enhancements and operations. A gift of just 10$ a month can ensure that a family with a child in need of overnight nursing services has the peace of mind they deserve, knowing a VON nurse is there caring for their child through the night. To become a monthly donor, or to learn more about the impact of giving to VON Sarnia-Lambton, contact us at 519-542-2310 or visit our website at www.von.ca

LEAVE A LEGACY

By naming VON Sarnia-Lambton as a beneficiary in your will, you are leaving a legacy of compassion and comfort for so many in our community. To learn more about VON SarniaLambton’s Legacy Program, please contact us at 519-542-2310.

Nursing Programs

VON Sarnia-Lambton Nursing Services enable individuals to be cared for with compassion, with dignity and the comforts of their own space. Available 24/7, services can be privately purchased, or may be funded through insurance or government sources. Your VON nurse works together with you, your caregivers and a team of health care professionals to assess your health care needs, and collaboratively develop a personalized plan of care. Every visit will consist of on-going assessment, support for you and your family, encouragement, and holistic care. Your VON nurse is highly trained, experienced in all aspects of community health care. In addition to inhome care, VON provides nursing services throughout the community, where it’s needed most.

Our nursing services include:

• Shift Nursing

• Wound care

• Intravenous care

• Palliative care

• Acute posthospitalization care

• Foot care

• In-school health care

• Chronic disease management

Nursing Services

Maintaining Independence as we age is important to us all. Sometimes remaining active in our homes means needing that extra one-on-one support to live independently. At VON we deliver more than health care, we bring peace of mind. That means that when extra care is needed we are there with valuable services tailored to individual needs and budgets. Our trained staff of nurses, personal support workers and other support professionals are available to make up the difference between what is provided and what you need.

Visiting Nursing

The VON nurse works together with clients, caregivers and health care professionals to assess the individual’s health care needs and develop a personal plan of care to meet those needs. Visiting nurses provide service in wound care, diabetes management, medication management, health education and so much more.

Shift Nursing

VON Shift Nursing Services provide nurses in 4-12 hour shifts to enable individuals to be cared for in the comfort of their own home. VON shift nursing services can be purchased privately or may be funded through insurance or government sources if eligible.

Personal Support Services

VON Personal Support Services are provided by trained and certified Personal Support Workers (PSWs) enhancing an individual’s quality of life by providing assistance with personal care and support needed to make them comfortable in their own home. This service also provides an opportunity for people to remain in their home longer.

Respite Care

Respite Care provides the break that caregivers need by allowing someone else to temporarily take over some of their care giving duties. Used on a regular basis, Respite Care helps

prevent caregiver burnout by relieving some of the caregiver’s workload and stress.

Call 1-855-285-2990 Option 4, or email us at escintake@von.ca, if you would like to know more about VON Private Care Services and we will take the time to understand your needs and explain how we can help.

Footcare Services

VON Nurses provide assessment, care and advice for clients including the elderly and people with diabetes, who have particular problems looking after their feet.

Contact VON Sarnia-Lambton to further inquire about these services at 1-855-285-2990 Option 4 or email escintake@von.ca.

eHomecare

eHomecare is an innovative strategy that uses existing and emerging technology to support people to live in their homes safely, and receive the healthcare they require. The eHomecare model pairs an RN, working remotely while connected by technology to a PSW at the bedside of the patient. eHomecare provides overnight respite care, pediatric support, and end of life support for patients in our community.

Chronic Pain Program

Mission:

To utilize a multidisciplinary team approach to develop and implement an individualized care plan for clients living with chronic pain, to facilitate access to appropriate health care services, to enhance quality of life through empowerment

The VON Chronic Pain Program is an Ontario Health funded program that provides services to people who are experiencing chronic non cancer pain and provide them with pain management options and resources within their community. This program provides services in Sarnia-Lambton, Windosr-Essex and Chatham-Kent.

Chronic pain affects all aspect of our lives, both physically and mentally. That is why the Chronic Pain Program is diverse, with different disciplines such as nursing and social work services.

The Nurse Practitioner will review your pain history, your completed diagnostic imaging, your medications and the effects of past and present medical interventions. A focused physical examination will be done when necessary. These findings will allow them to provide you and your healthcare provider evidence based treatment options. Some examples of recommendations include medication changes, exercise programs, various therapies, referral to specialists and specialized procedures.

The Social Worker facilitates Chronic Pain Self-Management Classes as well asprovides one on one counselling support to individuals interested in cognitive behavioural therapy, an evidence based therapy to help patients cope with the difficulties of managing chronic pain.

Eligibility:

1 Experience non cancer related pain

2 Not be considered end of life (palliative)

3 Experience chronic pain, greater than 3 consecutive months

Please have your primary health care provider or supporting community agency fax a referral to the VON Chronic Pain Program. Once your referral is received, you will receive a phone call within 1-2 weeks to arrange an appointment.

Appointments are arranged virtually and at the following locations:

• VON Windsor-Essex Site, 190-250 Tecumseh Rd. E., Windsor

• VON Chatham-Kent Site, 100-190 Stanley Ave., Chatham

• VON Sarnia-Lambton, 1705 London Line, Sarnia

Should you have any questions or inquiries you are welcome to call the Program Intake line 519-945-2931 or toll free at 1-855-419-5200 option 4, Monday through Friday between the working hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 pm.

VON Workplace Wellness

Our workplace wellness programs are customized to meet the needs of your business.

A healthier workplace leads to greater employee satisfaction and well being, decreased benefit costs to your organization, increased productivity. Who wouldn’t want to work for a supportive and productive workplace?

Workplace wellness programs can save you money and return up to $8.00 for every dollar invested according to the Industrial Accident Association. VON can help you design the right program for your workplace. Our nurses have the knowledge and expertise as well as the necessary equipment to start your business on the road to success.

Our programs cover an array of topics such as:

• Glucose screening for diabetes

• Cholesterol screening

• Blood pressure screening

• Smoking cessation

• Flu vaccination

• Mask fit testing

If you would like more information on how we can support your wellness initiatives contact us at 1-855-285-2990. If you would like more information on how we can support your wellness initiatives contact us at 1-855-285-2990..

Home Support Services

Home Support Services are available to individuals living in their home, or a rest or retirement home when they require short or long term assistance with bathing, dressing, incontinent care, assistance with mobility, meal prep, post surgical care, palliative care and end of life care. The services are provided by certified Personal Support Workers (PSW’s) that obtained their education from a recognized college. The services are contracted through the Home Care Community Support Services (HCCSS) which follows the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) guidelines for service.

If an individual requires more assistance than what can be provided through the LHIN, private services can be purchased through the Insurance Company (when the policy allows), the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) or through private billing to the individual.

Private services are provided in a variety of settings including home, rest and retirement homes, nursing homes and hospital.

If you would like more information on how these services can be obtained contact VON at 1-855-285-2990.

* Private Care options available

Volunteer Visiting

After living successful and productive lives many seniors are surprised to find themselves lonely and isolated. If their spouse is gone or their drivers license is no longer valid, if health is failing or mobility is diminished seniors often discover it is increasingly hard to get out and generate new relationships. This is where the VON Volunteer Visiting program can step in. We provide much- needed friendship and support to seniors who find themselves disconnecting socially.

The Volunteer Visiting Program is free of charge. Volunteers are matched with clients after a Coordinator assesses the needs and interests of the client. They may visit in the home, play cards, run errands, go for coffee or sit under the bridge and watch the boats go by. The volunteer is not coming to do work for the client but to be a friend. They provide a listening ear, a comfortable presence and a joyful heart. Self-referrals and referrals from all other sources are welcome. Volunteers are carefully screened before being matched with a client. Give us a call at 519-542-2310.

Sarnia Adult Day Program

The VON Sarnia-Lambton Adult Day Program provides all day programming to adults living with Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, or cognitive impairment living in the community. Programming is provided in a safe, caring environment, focused on abilities as opposed to disabilities, and incorporates social, therapeutic, and recreational activities as well as a hot lunch and snacks throughout the day.

VON provides on-site care weekly, providing on-site care when needed, reducing the need for hospital/physician visits, all while giving caregivers respite and support as they care for their loved one. Programming runs Monday – Friday from 9am-3pm. For more information, contact us at 519-542-2310.

Caregiver Respite Program

At some point in our lives most people find themselves in the role of caring for an aging parent or spouse. While it is a privilege to care for our loved ones it is also tiring and stressful. Many caregivers find themselves without enough of their “own” time to complete banking, shopping, or attend to their personal needs. VON volunteers in the Caregiver Respite program will spend quality time with clients each week so caregiver time away can be worry free.

The Caregiver Respite program is free of charge. Volunteers are matched with clients after a Coordinator assesses the needs and interests of the client and the caregiver. They may visit in the home, go for a walk or even out for a cup of coffee if that is appropriate for the client. The volunteer is not coming to do work for the client but to be a friend and to give the caregiver a break. Volunteers who visit clients with dementia complete a training program before they are matched. This program is ideal when clients cannot be left alone but is also helpful when clients are in the early stages of dementia and are still living alone. Self-referrals and referrals from all other sources are welcome. Volunteers are carefully screened before being matched with a client. Give us a call at 519-542-2310.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists (OT’s) support people of all ages to participate in day to day living by helping them to do what they need and want to do in life.

In our Adult Community Care Program, we assist clients to restore or maintain independent self care (toileting, bathing, and dressing), home making, leisure activities and vocational pursuits following illness, injury or surgery. For the elderly adult, the goal is often to remain safely in the family home as long as possible. OT’s assist people to move safely though the home by recommending equipment or home adaptations for toilet, shower or bath tubs and more. By creating personal strategies to maximize safety and improve independence our goal is to support clients in achieving what they want to enhance their quality of life.

OT’s help you do what you want to do, teach you how to use your strengths (which you already have) to create bridges over barriers so you can get back on your way to success.

* Private Care options available

SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together)

VON SMART Exercise & Fall Prevention Program delivers ongoing fall risk intervention for seniors in the community by delivering FREE exercise programs and fall prevention education.

Who benefits from the VON SMART Exercise Program?

• Adults 55+

• Individuals who wish to learn about fall risk factors and how to reduce their chance of experiencing a fall

• Individuals who wish to maintian and/or improve their strength, balance, social connection and overall wellbeing

SMART in the Community

VON SMART Group Classes led by SMART Certified Instructors take place weekly in community locations near you! Onehour, High/Med/Low Intensity sessions for older adults and seniors. Specialty classes for individuals suffering from chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Brain Injury/ Stroke are also available.

SMART Rest and Retirement

VON SMART group exercise classes are offered within various

Rest and Retirement Homes throughout Sarnia-Lambton. Hour long sessions are provided at no cost to residents. Class components include warm up and cool down, cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, balance and mindfulness.

SMART In-Home

VON SMART Certified Volunteer lead one-on-one training sessions are offered in your home. This programming is designed for individuals 55+ who have barriers to traditional exercise groups such as low mobility, lack of transportation, limited financial resources, and poor health. Clients are taught 15 simple, yet progressive exercises that help to improve mobility and safely moving through activities of daily living.

*Please note: Registration is required for all VON SMART classes.

SMART Virtual Exercise Program (VEP)

VON SMART group and 1:1 exercise programs are offered virtually both online and offline.  Live, interactive exercise sessions are offered using the Zoom platform where clients participate from the safety and comfort of their home.  For individuals who have no internet access, the VON SMART VEP offers free tablets which contain a library of exercise sessions and guided fall prevention presentations.  For more information 519-254-4866 Ext 6239

Ontario Student Nutrition Program

The Ontario Student Nutrition Program (OSNP) in the Southwest Region helps provide school-age children and youth with access to nutritious meals and /or snacks in schools and community locations so that they are engaged in their learning, experience a sense of belonging at school, and develop healthy eating habits.

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services provides seed funding to fourteen lead agencies who oversee program administration and grants.  The VON, Windsor-Essex is the Lead Agency for the southwest region, working with eight Community Partnerships to support 450+ programs spanning 10 counties including:

• Grey-Bruce

• Sarnia-Lambton

• Windsor-Essex

• London-Middlesex

• Chatham-Kent

• Huron-Perth

• Oxford and

• Elgin

Program delivery is supported by volunteers, and local fundraising is an important part of the OSNP.  For more information, or if you are interested in volunteering or making a donation, please visit www.osnp.ca, www.von.ca or contact your local lead agency.

Volunteer Opportunities

Are you looking for a fulfilling volunteer opportunity in the Sarnia-Lambton area? Choose to Volunteer for VON SarniaLambton and become a proud VON Volunteer!

Volunteers enrich the lives of those they help by providing a warm smile and a friendly face. At VON Sarnia-Lambton, volunteers are valued, respected and appreciated! Make a difference in someone’s life today!

To learn more about these opportunities visit www.von.ca or call 519-542-2310

Volunteer Opportunities at VON SarniaLambton:

• Charity Bingo

• Community Corporation Board of Directors

• Board Volunteers

• SMART Seniors Exercise In-Home Program & SMART group

• Caregiver Respite

• Telephone Visiting

• Volunteer Visiting Program

TWO

SARNIA,

aperini@newbeginnings-cksl.com