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Team profiles :

Hornby and Denman Community Health Care Society

At a Glance   

Region: British Columbia

Setting: Rural and Remote

EAIP program principle(s): 

• Access to specialized healthcare services 
• Access to social and community supports. 
• Access to system navigation and support 

Implementation (new, spread, and/or expand):  

• New and expand

Team Profile  

The team leading this initiative is the Hornby and Denman Community Health Care Society, Hornby Denman Health, a multi-service non-profit organization and charity dedicated to optimizing the health and well-being of Denman and Hornby Island residents. Team members include Hornby Denman Health representatives, including interdisciplinary staff, team leads, evaluation and measurement support, and a committee of client, family, and care partners.  

Community

• Hornby and Denman Islands are ferry-dependent communities off the east coast of Vancouver Island, BC. Each has about 1,300 year-round residents, with older, more isolated, and poorer populations than the provincial average.  Ìý
• Local health services are crucial due to limited infrastructure, no public transport, and limited, unaffordable housing. There are no assisted living or long-term care facilities. Hospitals and specialists are on Vancouver Island. 
• Hornby and Denman Islands have an older and lower-income population than the regional average. The median individual after-tax income is $27K on Hornby and $30K on Denman (2020 Statistics Canada). Additionally, 40% of Hornby residents and 39% of Denman residents are over the age of 65, compared to 19% for BC. A significant percentage of residents live alone: 46.4% on Hornby, 33.8% on Denman, and 28.7% in BC (2016 Census). 

Program Focus 

Program Description Ìý

• Hornby Denman Health’s community-based Senior Services Program supports Island seniors in maintaining independence and managing their care as they age. The program aids recovery from short-term illnesses and provides ongoing support for life-limiting conditions through end-of-life care. Services include integrated local care coordination, therapeutic social programs, and income tested supports for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. The program's goals are to simplify care navigation, support independence, offer social and emotional support, and provide sustainable, flexible services. Primarily serving residents over 65, the program is expanding to include enhancing home support for palliative care, creating "Community Hug" care packages for those returning from the hospital, and offering education sessions on aging well at home. 

Implementation Approach:

• Home Assist with Care Coordination: Launched in April 2023, this program serves Hornby and Denman Island residents over 65 at risk due to low income, medical conditions, or social isolation. It offers non-medical support, social engagement, and flexible services for short-term and palliative care. EAIP funding enables expansion to include rapid services for short-term illnesses, reliable daily task assistance for complex issues, and additional support for palliative care. The program, relying on volunteers and community partnerships, aims to serve 150 clients, promoting early hospital discharge and long-term independence at home. Ìý
• The Community Hug: This new service supports individuals with a new illness or returning from the hospital by providing care packages with local goodies, essentials, educational materials, and support contact info. It helps reduce isolation and connects individuals to local supports. Hornby Denman Health collects and distributes packages with contributions from local businesses and community members tailor and deliver these packages.  
• Choices in Aging and Dying: Community Nurturing and Education Program: This program targets younger seniors to encourage early planning and engagement with Hornby Denman Health. Quarterly events will feature workshops and publicly accessible sessions on aging, death, and dying, providing quality information on rights, choices, local care options, and tools for maintaining independence.