Senior Care in Burnaby: Arrange the Right Support

Define the care you need before comparing providers

Prepare a written task list with the older adult's input. Separate companionship, groceries and household help from bathing, dressing, transfers and medication needs. Add preferred visit times, language preferences, mobility equipment and the name of the family contact. Ask each prospective provider to explain who will perform each task and how they will handle a change in needs.

Fraser Health's home support service includes help with bathing, dressing, getting in and out of bed, and moving around the home. It also lists medication assistance, catheter care, bowel care, ostomy care and help with compression stockings. Discuss these needs during assessment rather than assuming a companion-care booking covers them. [2]

Describe meal support with care. Fraser Health lists heating or serving a pre-made meal and reminding clients to eat. If you want grocery shopping, cooking from ingredients or shared meals, name those tasks in your request and ask who will cover them. [2]

Coordinate public care and community support

New clients can call the Fraser Health Access Line at 1-855-412-2121, seven days a week, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Fraser Health also offers a telephone appointment booking option. Current clients should contact their local Home Health office. Ask about assessment, the proposed schedule and any needs that require another arrangement. [1]

For Burnaby residents aged 65 and older, Citizen Support Services offers non-medical help that includes shopping assistance, phone companionship and volunteer visits. Better at Home provides light housekeeping and transportation to medical appointments with income-based sliding fees. Ask about availability and subsidy eligibility before removing these tasks from a private caregiver's scope. [3]

Keep a shared schedule that names the person responsible for each visit and task. Include family help, community appointments and paid care. For a planned hospital discharge, ask the care team to clarify the help needed at home, then confirm start dates with each provider. Agree on a backup contact for missed visits.

Check caregiver suitability and backup arrangements

Ask providers to describe their experience with the tasks you have listed, including transfers, personal care or support for someone with memory difficulties. Request references and ask about screening, insurance, supervision and substitute caregivers. Discuss how staff will record visits, report concerns and communicate with the older adult and family.

BCCNM advises anyone considering hiring a nurse to check its public register for registration in good standing. Ask for the nurse's full name and registration details, then complete that check before agreeing to nursing services. Ask the provider to identify which visits involve a nurse and which involve another caregiver. [4]

For overnight help, describe the expected duties: scheduled assistance, someone available if the older adult wakes, or continuous attendance. Fraser Health lists overnight and in-home respite services for clients who cannot be left home alone or to reduce caregiver fatigue. Ask whether your assessed care arrangement includes these services and define any additional private coverage in writing. [2]

Compare the full cost of the proposed schedule

Request a written quote for the same task list and schedule from each provider. Ask about minimum visits, evening and weekend charges, transportation, cancellations, replacement staff and any applicable taxes. For overnight care, ask how the provider prices waking assistance. Compare the total for your intended schedule rather than an hourly headline.

Fraser Health states that some services have no cost, while others require tax information to access services. Burnaby bases Better at Home housekeeping and medical transportation fees on income. Ask each program to confirm your contribution; the supplied sources do not establish a private caregiver hourly rate. [1] [3]

If your plan includes accompanied recreation, Burnaby publishes Be Active day-pass fees of CAD 5.55 for seniors aged 65 and older and CAD 7.40 for adults aged 26 to 64, before tax. Ask the facility what admission applies to an accompanying caregiver, and agree with the provider on outing expenses before booking. [5]

Burnaby Be Active day-pass fees for accompanied outings

Choose the first conversation for your care needs

Your hiring checklist

1. Write the task list with the older adult and record their preferences.
2. Request an assessment and confirm the proposed public-care schedule.
3. Ask community programs about eligibility, availability and your contribution.
4. Give prospective caregivers the same duties and visit schedule.
5. Request references, screening details, insurance information and a backup plan.
6. Check nursing registration when the proposed care includes a nurse.
7. Confirm the total charge, cancellation terms and outing expenses in writing.
8. Agree on visit records, family updates and a date to review the arrangement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I contact Fraser Health without a doctor's referral?

Fraser Health directs new clients to contact its Access Line at 1-855-412-2121 or book a telephone appointment. Its page also says your health care provider may recommend services. You can make the initial inquiry yourself. [1]

Does public home support include overnight care?

Fraser Health lists overnight and in-home respite services for clients who cannot be left home alone or to reduce caregiver fatigue. Ask during assessment whether those services form part of your arrangement and what schedule you can receive. [2]

How much should I budget for private home care?

These sources do not publish private home-care rates. Request written quotes against your task list and schedule, including minimum visits and extra charges. Confirm public-service fees and Better at Home contributions before setting the amount available for private care. [1] [3]

Can local programs help someone who mainly needs company?

Burnaby lists a phone-buddy program with weekly chats and volunteer visits for companionship within its services for residents aged 65 and older. Ask Citizen Support Services about availability, and keep any personal care needs in a separate care request. [3]