Nav-CARE Program
For those older adults living with a chronic illness that isolates and overwhelms, Nav-CARE is a new, free program designed to address these needs. Like a helpful neighbour or friend, Nav-CARE volunteers visit clients in their home on a regular basis with a focus on enhancing quality of life.
Nav-CARE’s specially-trained volunteers help improve the lives of people living with serious illness by creating connections to community services and resources and providing compassionate and consistent emotional support.
This project is funded by New Horizons for Seniors
Is Nav-CARE for me?
Are you an older adult experiencing any of the following? A serious illness or chronic disease AND
Loneliness or social isolation
Recent loss or multiple losses
Mobility or sensory challenges
Increased disengagement
Coping with transitions and multiple decisions
Difficulty finding or accessing information or resources.
Perceived need for the program
Who can refer and how does a client become a part of Nav-CARE?
Physician, health care professionals, community agencies, family or friends can all refer to the program.
With the client’s consent, a Referral Form can be completed and then provided to the Nav-CARE Coordinator, Suzanne Lehbauer, Executive Director Castlegar Hospice. She will then contact the client to set up a meeting to do an assessment and discuss their needs.
How does Nav-CARE fit with the health care system?
Nav-CARE was designed to complement the work of the healthcare system
Nav-CARE volunteers address needs that are outside of the responsibilities of healthcare providers. However, if these needs go unmet, the ability of clients to stay healthy or access healthcare can be compromised
Volunteers develop special relationships with clients and have the luxury of time to engage, listen, support decision-making, and assist clients with practical things that help to meet their needs
Volunteers do not engage in the type of healthcare navigation that is characteristic of the role adopted by nurses or social workers
This program is administered through the Castlegar Hospice Society
709 10th Street
Castlegar V1N2H7
Phone: (250)- 304-1266 Email: Suanne.Lehbauer@interiorhealth.ca
