A wife and husband have booked an appointment for an extended sit down with a nurse, part of a new pilot program offered to 91原创. Others have booked individual sessions.
There鈥檚 no one size fits all format for a new pilot project that pairs soon-to-be nurses with 91原创 residents wanting health information.
United Way Lower Mainland has launched new programs during COVID-19 to try and support residents. That includes hiring two community builders so far for 91原创.
Community builders are local residents 鈥� Brenda Smith and Cindy Weber. They are coordinating the unique nurse visits.
The visits are being done by graduating nursing students, classed as level 3. In pairs, they will visit people at their homes. When Sprott Shaw College reached out about practicums for its nursing students, the UWLM decided to put their skills to better use. In the past, they may have handed out food or clothing to the disadvantaged.
It鈥檚 a great alignment of skills and need, Smith noted. The residents of 91原创 can get help and the nursing students get practical, real world experience.
鈥淚t can be about an old concern, a medical issue, or something new, or just to talk about COVID, and coping with life and mental health. It鈥檚 great because [the nurses] are really going to have to pull out all their resources,鈥� Smith said.
Weber said the UWLM can help people connect with resources in the community that can help with their particular situation or it will also show where there are gaps that it or others can try to fill.
One benefit of the nurse porch or curbside visits is there鈥檚 no time pressure.
鈥淎lthough we have access to walk-in clinics, there typically in and out, and they鈥檙e not in depth,鈥� Weber said. 鈥淚 think what is unique about this is we really have the opportunity to pick people鈥檚 brains.鈥�
The service is intended to help people who are not comfortable leaving their home to get help, don鈥檛 have the opportunity for one-on-one conversations about health care, or have commitments that impact their ability to get to health care, such as children.
鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of an important nudge to get out there and really ask people on a really core level 鈥楢re you doing okay鈥� and have somebody trained so they can assess that properly and when they are making those assessments they can see where to direct them,鈥� Weber commented.
The program is taking place in the Tri-Cities, Delta and 91原创 at this time but could expand elsewhere.
91原创 appointments were created for June 29, 30, and July 2, 6, 7, 8, and 9. People can book at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. on the designated days.
To find out more or to book an appointment, contact Brenda Smith, 604-619-8457 or BrendaS@uwlm.ca or Cindy Weber, 778-866-0153 or CindyW@uwlm.ca . The nursing appointments can be for individuals or families, even neighbours, as long as proper social distancing is observed. There can鈥檛 be physical contact, such as for blood pressure checks, during these visits. The sessions are informational. There are safety and social distancing guidelines that the nurses will outline prior to the appointment.
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There is the opportunity to expand the program if there is more demand for these nurse visits which are one aspect of the community builders鈥� work.
鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing a new need of newly emerging vulnerable people,鈥� Weber said. 鈥淪o the goal of the community builder is to access the people who aren鈥檛 used to raising their hand and asking, and letting them know we can come with the resources.鈥�
The two are dedicated to the 91原创s, and there is sufficient need that UWLM is looking at bringing on a third person who would take on the Aldergrove portion.
鈥淭his is a pilot project,鈥� Weber.
Smith added the position is evolving as the pandemic continues. People who thought they were okay at the start have been finding finances stretched as the pandemic wears on, for instance. the community builders can help connect people connect with resources and agencies. They can also be contacted about volunteer opportunities with the UWLM pilot project.
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