Greater Vancouver Community Services Society
320 - 1212 West Broadway V6H 3V1 Vancouver, BC, Canada

Happy Mother’s Day from GVCSS!

Coping with #COVIDfatigue Tip: Practice mindfulness - Mindfulness is being aware of the present moment. It is about giving your full attention to the task at hand what are you feeling, smelling, hearing, feeling. Being fully present in the moment. Mindfulness can be achieved through meditation, deep breathing, giving someone your full attention during a conversation. Walking in nature is another way to achieve mindfulness, being aware of the colors, the sounds, smells, a...nd the textures. Mindfulness has been proven to release stress, lower blood pressure, reduce chronic pain, and improve sleep. Believe it our not, you can practice mindfulness throughout your work day by listening to sound of your breath makes when wearing a mask , or counting your steps and purposefully walking with a heel to toe motion in between your clients. Try Mindfulness out and see if it works for you! : Kristie Clark, Director of Home Care See more

Coping with #COVIDfatigue Tip: Stay physically distant, not socially distant stay connected to friends, family and neighbours. Have virtual dinner dates, check-ins, dance parties via Zoom or Facebook apps. Call someone you have not spoken to in a long time but have wanted to catch up . Reach out to relatives and friends who may be on their own or lonely. Start a virtual book club . Meet in a park and have a distanced picnic (bring your own food and drinks). Write letters , make or send cards to those you care about. : Photo by Katerina Holmes from Pexels

Coping with #COVIDfatigue Tip: Exercise exercise is one of the best ways to release built up stress, and to get the endorphins flowing. Exercise at any level, walking, yoga, running, swimming, bike riding, has been proven to increase your mood and help you better deal with stress.

#GVCSS recognizes May 3-9 is CMHA Mental Health Week. We will be posting tips this week for overcoming COVID fatigue. COVID-19 is not giving us a break and long hours and heavy workloads is adding to our stress. This can lead to anxiety, fear, loneliness, sadness and depression. Today we want to remind everyone to be kind to yourself - it’s okay to not be okay. You are not alone. Engage in some self-care - read a book, walk in nature, listen to music are just a few examples. If these feelings continue for long periods, please speak to your health care provider.

Happy Birthday to our #GVCSS March and April babies!

Behind the masks our new CHWs are all smiles during this week’s orientation. Welcome to the #GVCSS team! Thinking of a career in #HomeCare or #CommunityLiving - visit gvcss.bc.ca/jobs.htm #greatcare #greatcommunity

Congratulations to our Home Support Supervisor Patsy! Everyone at GVCSS wishes you a happy and love-filled maternity leave!

February 23rd is officially proclaimed B.C. Seniors Care Providers Day by the Province of BC. GVCSS takes this opportunity to celebrate care aides, LPNs, RNs, front line and administrative workers who look after British Columbia’s older adults.

Happy Family Day from #GVCSS

Happy Holidays from #GVCSS! #greatcare #greatcommunity

Thank you BBW International Inc.! Your generous donation of 100 face shields! This gift will assist GVCSS in providing safe care to some of our community's most vulnerable adults.

We are excited to announce the appointment of Kristie Clark as our new Director of Home Care! Kristie is an experienced healthcare leader and clinical specialist within various practice settings including community health care, seniors care, public health, and nursing education/research. Her expertise in these areas include dementia care, gerontology, staff development and education, quality improvement and mental health.

GVCSS Holiday Cards are now available! Cards feature designs by an individual at one of our Community Living homes and all proceeds will go towards our Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) fund, keeping our frontline health workers and people we care for safe. Buy a pack of 10 cards with envelopes for only $20!... Order your GVCSS holiday greeting cards today by emailing Elizabeth Epp at [email protected].

Lest we forget.

Thank you to @medura.ca for the generous donation of #PPE! This gift of 7200 masks will assist #GVCSS in providing safe care to some of our community’s most vulnerable adults. Thank you! #covid_19 #covid19vancouver #donations #greatcare #greatcommunity

#HappyThanksgiving from GVCSS!

On #NationalSeniorsDay we celebrate seniors & their contributions to our community.

Lots of GREAT things waiting for you at Greater Vancouver Community Services Society. (Ps find us on TikTok @gvcss)

Make sure you have your rain gear tomorrow!

Re-posting. Mental health resources available for caregivers. <3 Confidential peer support available Monday to Friday 5pm to 9pm at www.careforcareworkers.ca or 1-866-802-7337 #caretospeak

Vancouver currently has the worst air quality in the world due to smoke coming up from the US wildfires. Here are some tips for reducing the negative impact of poor air: 1. Drink lots of water. 2. Close your windows and refrain from smoking, lighting candles, or burning incense.... 3. If you’re using an air conditioner in your car or at home, set it to re-circulate so that the air isn’t brought in. 4. Don’t exercise outdoors. The smoke is hard enough on your system when you’re breathing regularly. Strenuous activity outdoors will just increase the negative impact on your respiratory system. 5. Once the air has cleared outside, air out your house and car to release any pollutants that may have gotten in. If you’re living with respiratory issues such as asthma, cardiovascular or lung disease, have children or are elderly, avoid being outside if possible. Source: https://backtowellness.ca/clean-breathing-during-the-air-q/

We did it! We completed our GVCSS Wheelchair Van Replacement fundraising campaign, which funded six new vans in ten years. We thank all donors who contributed over the years! Read more about this incredible achievement here: https://www.gvcss.bc.ca/blog/We-Did-It.htm

Breathe easy, friends.

#werehiring #homesupport #communityhealthworkers #greatcare #greatcommunity

Thank you so much to the BC Summer Swimming Association (BCSSA) Vancouver and District! These local team swimmers raised money for GVCSS with their T-shirt fundraiser - $860 for our PPE Fund! Thank you <3

The Office of the Senior's Advocate has launched a survey for seniors and their family members to give feedback on their Long-term Care experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more here: https://feedback.engage.gov.bc.ca/688686?lang=en

The sun sets on another week. Stay safe out there and enjoy the weekend! #happyfriday #vancouver #greatcare #greatcommunity

Mandatory masks on transit starting Monday!

New Testing Site in Vancouver!

Staff at our Community Living homes wear #PPE every day to protect themselves and the adults with developmental disabilities they care for. We are so grateful for the donations we receive that help us stay stocked with needed masks, gloves, aprons, and goggles - all whose prices have skyrocketed in our new COVID normal. If you'd like to help frontline workers and vulnerable people in our community, donate to our PPE fund at https://www.gvcss.bc.ca/donate.htm

Good news for seniors and people with disabilities.

Attention Health Care Assistants! We have opportunities for casual Community Health Workers in our Home Support program in Vancouver and Richmond. Click this link to learn more: https://www.gvcss.bc.ca/homesupportjobs.htm. Please like and share!

Attention all Health Care workers: Care To Speak is a new initiative to support the mental health and well-being of frontline workers. their Peer Support Chat is available from 5pm 9pm Monday through Friday. Check the link for more details: https://www.careforcaregivers.ca/caretospeak/

Here's a sneak peak at our new van for Doman house . More to come soon!

Congratulations to our Field Supervisor Marilyn on her retirement from GVCSS! Thank you, Marilyn, for your 35 years of service to the community. We will miss you!