For Immediate Release
June 29, 2017

New Navigation Care Volunteer Program in the North Okanagan
Improving quality of life for seriously ill adults

Vernon, BC:  The North Okanagan Health Society (NOHS) is pleased to announce a new community-based Hospice Volunteer Navigator program. NOHS has partnered with the UBC Okanagan research program called N-CARE (Navigating, Connecting, Accessing, Resourcing, and Engaging). This program pairs older adults (55 and older) who are living with a serious illness with Hospice Volunteer Navigators to provide extra support in the home and improve quality of life.

Lorrianne Topf, Learning and Effectiveness Leader, NOHS, says “This is an exciting program. When people find out they have a serious illness they worry about how they are going to manage, where they can find support, or how to know what kind of community resources are available to them. They may be too well for community health services but they know they would like some kind of help. Our volunteers are there to be a listening ear and a ‘go to person’ to make connections such as finding someone to clear a driveway in the winter or a ride to go grocery shopping.”

NOHS is looking for adults who would like to be paired with these specialized volunteers. If you live in the North Okanagan, are 55 years or older and have a serious illness such as heart failure, kidney disease, or cancer, you may be eligible for this program. As this is a research study, only a limited amount of clients will be able to enroll.

If you would like to enroll or learn more about this program, please contact Lorrianne Topf at 250-503-1800 (ext. 104) or by email at [email protected] or visit www.nohs.ca.

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About North Okanagan Hospice Society

North Okanagan Hospice Society believes in quality of life. We support people with a palliative diagnosis, their loved ones and the bereaved. When medical intervention can no longer add days to life, we strive to add more life to each day.

• We operate Hospice House, a 12-bed palliative care facility in Vernon.
  
• We provide pain and symptom management admissions to palliative patients for one or two weeks.
  
• We offer a community grief and bereavement program to anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one.
  
• Programs and services are offered to residents of the North Okanagan.
  

For more information please contact:

Lorrianne Topf, RH, MSN, CHPCN(C)
Learning and Effectiveness Leader and N-CARE Volunteer Coordinator

North Okanagan Hospice Society

Phone: (250) 503-1800 ext 104

E-mail: [email protected]

www.nohs.ca