Information and Referral

Caring Circle Health Resource Centre	The Caring Circle connects individuals on Bowen Island to health services, social programs, and each other. The centre offers health and wellness information, and personal health navigation for those having difficulty accessing the health services they need.
North Shore Community Resources Society	The North Shore Community Resources Society provides information on services, resources, and activities available to seniors on the North Shore and throughout the region. The Seniors’ One Stop Information Line provides general information on health, transportation, education, housing, and finances, as well as referrals and follow-up for North Shore seniors.
Health Connection	A free, searchable directory of resources to help North Shore residents manage their health and chronic conditions. Find a program or find a practitioner.
Vancouver Coastal Health Care Options	Learn more about home and community care services including adult day programs and home support in the Vancouver Coastal region. Find the eligibility requirements for different care options. Learn how to access services.
Ability411	Province-wide online service that provides practical information about technologies, tools, and equipment that increase independence and well-being for BC seniors, and support their families and care teams. Topics include walking aids and fall prevention, managing medications and health conditions, and meal preparation. Ask the Ability411 team a question and be provided with direct feedback.
HealthLink BC Phone 811	HealthLink BC health service representatives can provide information and support on accessing health services or connect you with a nurse, dietitian or pharmacist. If you are looking for information or support for your health, nutrition or medical care, visit the HealthLink BC website or contact HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 any time of the day or night.
bc211	bc211 is a British Columbia, non-profit organization that provides a free, confidential, multilingual service that links people to resources for help, where and when they need it. They provide information about and referral to support for seniors looking for counselling, health care, mental health help, home support, and more.
Office of the Seniors Advocate Phone (toll-free in B.C.): 1 (877) 952-3181	A British Columbia resource for seniors’ information and referral. Members of the public are encouraged to call, email, or visit the website for information and resources involving health care and personal support. Call to speak with an Information & Referral analyst.
BC Health	Online enrolment in the Medical Services Plan, as well as financial assistance with the cost of prescription drugs and medical supplies through Fair PharmaCare. Online access to health care services including assisted living, residential care, and home & community care.
Healthy Families BC’s Planning for Health Aging	Learn more about healthy eating and physical activity. Healthy Families BC features programs ranging from new physician-supported lifestyle planning to dietitian services and physical activity information. Resources aim to encourage lifelong learning and community participation.
BC Seniors	Find resources for planning and living a healthy and active life. Information includes advance care planning and community care.
First Link Dementia Helpline Phone: 1-800-936-6033 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)	The First Link Dementia Helpline is for anyone affected by dementia, whether professionally or personally. Helpline staff and volunteers give people the support they need when they need it. In addition to general information about dementia, topics include getting the diagnosis, progression of the disease, and personal planning.

Nursing

Vancouver Coastal Health Home Care Nursing	You or your physician can contact the central intake office of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) to arrange nursing support. There are various levels of coverage through MSP. Registered nurses will do home visits on Bowen Island.
Bayshore	Bayshore HealthCare provides home and community health care services. Bayshore HealthCare is frequently employed on Bowen Island to provide personal care and medical services at home.
Evergreen Nursing	Evergreen Nursing services include compassionate in-home care and nursing. They have well-trained staff and offer 24/7 phone support. Homemaking and personal care plans can be tailored to your needs to help relieve daily challenges.
Gillian Eades Telford RN	Gillian Eades Telford RN, BSN, LTCAC, MES is a Geriatric Specialist who can help with accessing health care options with a specialty in housing options. Contact 604-947-9938 or by email at getelderplanning@shaw.ca
Community Nursing	Community nursing services in BC are provided by licensed nursing professionals to clients in the community who require acute, chronic, palliative, or rehabilitative support. Generally, community nursing services will be provided on a short-term basis and the community nurses will help families gain the confidence to take over care at home. Find out if this care is right for you, the eligibility criteria, costs, and how to arrange for care.
Home Support	Home support services in BC help seniors remain independent and in their own home for as long as possible. Home support services are provided by community health workers to clients who require personal assistance with the activities of daily living. Community health workers may perform some specific nursing and rehabilitation tasks. Home support services are usually provided over a longer period of time, but can be on a short-term basis after a discharge from hospital or as part of end-of-life care.
Nurse Next Door	Nurse Next Door provides in-home cooking for seniors, in addition to home care services. Their team can provide thoughtful in-home cooking services for seniors to ensure an enjoyable culinary experience at every meal. As part of Nurse Next Door’s meals for seniors services, your caregiver will also handle grocery shopping or accompany you on your daily errands.

Nutrition

Better Meals	A Snug Cove House program providing highly nutritious meals prepared by Better Meals and delivered bi-weekly by Bowen volunteers. Menus are available at the Pharmacy and online at Better Meals. The program is flexible with no minimum order requirement or delivery charge. For more information, contact Sue Ritchie at 604-947–0225 or email at sueritchie@telus.net. Orders are taken every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month and deliveries made on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays.
Bowen Island Wellness Centre	Bowen Island Wellness Centre’s commitment to supporting the maintenance of ongoing health and wellbeing includes offering nutritional therapy and consultations. Schedule a nutritional assessment with Heidi Mather, a registered nutritionist, to learn which foods and nutrients are most beneficial to your body and your unique health, and receive a dietary plan.
Vancouver Nutritionist	Rich Ralph is a Registered Holistic Nutritionists (RHNs) who is trained in Natural Nutrition and complementary therapies. The principal function of a RHN is to educate individuals and groups about the benefits and health impact of optimal nutrition. He is available for by appointment only for consultations in Snug Cove.
Vaz Wellness	Natasha Vaz is a Culinary Nutritionist located on Bowen who helps people integrate healthy foods into their diet. Whether you’re trying to go gluten-free, dairy free, vegetarian, or just want to eat healthier, Natasha can help you plan a tasty and healthy menu.
Healthy Eating for Seniors Handbook	This BC resource provides information about food, meals, and supplements. It gives tips on how to eat to prevent or manage common chronic diseases, as well as providing advice on how to read labels and how to maintain a healthy body weight. You can find the handbook online, or order a free printed copy.
HealthLink’s Contact a Registered Dietitian	For free nutrition information you can trust, email a HealthLink BC Dietitian to get answers to your non-emergency nutrition and food questions.

Personal Care

Bowen Island Integrated Health	Physiotherapy, chiropractic, kinesiology, dietician and psychology services on Bowen Island. Multidisciplinary team of healthcare practitioners that provide Bowen Island with accessible patient-centred care to improve overall health, longevity, and quality of life.
Bowen Island Wellness Centre https://bowenislandwellnesscentre.ca/	Physiotherapy, massage therapy, nutritional therapy, acupuncture, and traditional Chinese medicine on Bowen Island. Therapies to assist in recovery from illness or injury, with an equal commitment to educating and supporting the maintenance of ongoing health and wellbeing. Phone 604-947-9755
Dr. Susanne Schloegl	Family practice in Artisan Square on Bowen Island, located at 203-566 Artisan Lane. Phone: 604-947-9986
Dr. Matt Blackwood	Family practice in Artisan Square on Bowen Island, located at 203-566 Artisan Lane. Phone: 604-947-9986
Docs on the Bay	Family practice and walk-in medical clinic in Horseshoe Bay. In addition to family medicine, they offer professional psychological counselling, physiotherapy, massage therapy, and health coaching.
Birch Wellness	Wellness clinic located in Artisan Square on Bowen Island. Provides acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, and counselling.
Bowen Island Public Library’s Med Shed	A library program lending medical equipment to Bowen Island residents. All equipment is lent in as-is condition on a first-come first-served basis, and for a six-week period free of charge. The loan period may be extended upon request and if available. Available equipment includes walkers, canes, raised toilet seats, and tub grips.
West Vancouver Community Health	A multidisciplinary community health team that provides primary health care to residents of West Vancouver, Lions Bay, and Bowen Island.
Choice in Supports for Independent Living	A self-directed option for eligible home support clients. CSIL clients receive funds directly from their local health authority to purchase their own home support services. Clients become employers who manage all aspects of their home support, from hiring and supervising staff to overseeing how CSIL funds are spent.

End of Life / Hospice

North Shore Hospice	Provides care for patients with a prognosis of three months or less who are registered with the North Shore Palliative Program. The hospice has 15 single resident rooms. There is a palliative day program for non-residents. Referral by physician or Community Health Nurse is required.
Lion’s Gate Hospital	Palliative care unit for assessment and for more acute care.
Hospice Palliative Care (Vancouver Coastal Health)	Information on hospice palliative care and the types of care services available. Includes a full list of hospice palliative care services in the Vancouver Coastal region.
End-of-Life Care	Supportive and compassionate care that focuses on comfort, quality of life, respect for personal healthcare treatment decisions, support for the family, and psychological, cultural, and spiritual concerns for dying people and their families. Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illness – whatever the diagnosis. Care can be provided wherever the client is living, whether at home, in hospice, or in an assisted living residence or long-term care home. Find out how to arrange for end-of-life care and palliative care services.
Canadian Virtual Hospice	The Canadian Virtual Hospice provides support and personalized information about palliative and end-of-life care to patients, family members, health care providers, researchers, and educators. It offers a safe place to sort through issues related to death and dying. Their “Ask a Professional” feature gives Canadians direct access to healthcare specialists online. Their mission is to provide information and support to help make sense in times of confusion, to provide compassion in times of isolation, and give  reassurance in times of anxiety.

Caregiver Support

Vancouver Coastal Health’s Home Support	Vancouver Coastal Health’s publicly-subsidized home support services are intended to help people remain independent and safe in their own homes for as long as possible. Services are based on personal care needs and situation. Home support services provide help with daily living activities, special exercises, medication administration, and relief for caregivers.
The Caregiver Network	The Caregiver Network’s mission is to bring caregivers together to share their experiences. They have created a supportive community for professionals and caregivers dedicated to well-being and connection.
Family Caregivers of BC	Family Caregivers of British Columbia is a non-profit dedicated to supporting family caregivers. Their website is a hub for resources, events, connection, and support for caregivers. Attend virtual support groups for caregivers, and find resources, including their podcast Caregivers Out Loud which highlights and shares the voices of caregivers.
Caregiver Support Line   Toll-free: 1-877-520-3267 (Mon-Fri, 8:30am-7pm)	Contact the Caregiver Support Line for information and referral to resources, help with healthcare navigation, emotional support, access to support groups, and access to webinars, articles, and resources. For many caregivers, the support they need is simply knowing they are not alone in their experience.
Caregiver Action Network	Connect to the Caregiver Action Network anonymously with other family caregivers in the Care Community to receive encouragement and advice. You can read other caregivers’ stories or share your own experience to help others. Sign up to receive the monthly e-newsletter for caregiving news and tips.
The Caregiver Space	The Caregiver Space is an online resource where caregivers can access support and understanding. The free website is a safe space to be open about your experience of caring for someone. Their community of caregivers is a place to ask questions, share experiences, get real answers, or just get things off your chest.