Caregiver Support and Respite

Caregivers play a vital role in the health and happiness of their loved ones. 

Our caregiver support options provide temporary breaks for caregivers while ensuring quality care for their loved ones.

Available Support

Use the drop-down menu to learn more.

Respite Care (temporary break from care)

Respite care provides specialized support to clients, giving caregivers a temporary break from their responsibilities, while ensuring quality care for their loved ones in a safe setting.

Respite gives clients the opportunity to participate in activities designed to promote stimulation, physical well-being, and social interaction. 

Types of Respite Care

Home Support Services: Receive services in your home.
Adult Day Programs: Friendly programs offering engaging activities, health monitoring, social interaction as well as a healthy meal and snacks.
Facility Respite Care: Short-term overnight care in licensed facilities.
Community Bathing Program: Client can bathe in special bathtubs, with help from trained staff, at facilities across the Island Health region.

Why Use Respite?

We understand that entrusting others to care for your loved one can be a challenging decision. A rest period allows you to participate in community activities, rejuvenate your energy, and focus on your personal well-being. This can help you provide the best care when needed.

Facility Respite Care

Facility respite offers clients short-term overnight care in licensed care facilities.

You can view our facility respite locations here and learn what to expect and how to prepare for a stay on our Facility Respite webpage.

Read our Facility Respite Guide for more information.

Adult Day Programs

We offer a variety of adult day services, including:

• Day respite
• Health monitoring
• Therapeutic and recreational activities
• Community Bathing Program at some sites

We also support community agencies that provide outreach and volunteer services.

Visit our Adult Day Services web page to get more details about the services we offer. 

Home Support

We offer a range of professional and personalized support tailored to receiving care in your home.

From nursing to assistance with daily activities, these services improve quality of life, promote independence, and help recovery.

Learn more on our Home Care Services web page.

Caregiver Support Program 

The Community Virtual Care Caregiver Support Program provides counselling, skill building classes, and support groups to family caregivers looking to improve their emotional wellbeing and coping skills – all from the comfort of home. 

Visit the Community Virtual Care Caregiver Support Program webpage to learn more.

How to Access Services

Eligibility and Accessing Services

Contact your Case Manager about accessing these services. If you do not have a Case Manager, call our Community Access Line and they will help you.

Phones are answered seven days a week, 365 days of the year.

South Island: 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. 250-388-2273 / 1-888-533-2273
Centre Island: 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. 250-739-5749 / 1-877-734-4101
North Island: 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 250-331-8570 / 1-866-928-4988

Costs

Costs vary depending on which service you use. Costs are attached to the following programs:

Adult Day Program*
A daily rate, up to a maximum of $10, covers meals, transportation (where available), and supplies such as crafts. Costs may be waived if serious financial hardship means you cannot access the services. Visit the Ministry of Health Adult Day Program website for more information about costs.

Community Bathing*
Bathing program costs vary dependent on the facility you use. To find out current rates, please call the Community Access Line  for more information.

Facility Respite Care*
The 2024 daily rate amount is $46.59. This rate changes annually and is set by the Ministry of Health.

Home Support* 

The daily rate is based on your income (and the income of your spouse, if applicable). Your daily rate is calculated by multiplying your “remaining annual income” (as defined in the Continuing Care Fees Regulation) by 0.00138889 (accurate as of May 2024). A client is not required to pay more than $300 for home support services in a month if the client, or the client's spouse, receives earned income.

You will not pay a daily charge for home support services if you receive any of the following:

• The guaranteed income supplement, the spouse's allowance or the survivor's allowance under the Old Age Security Act (Canada)
• Income assistance under the Employment and Assistance Act
• Disability assistance under the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act
• A war veteran's allowance under the War Veterans Allowance Act (Canada)

Services with an asterisk (*) are subsidized, meaning Island Health covers some or all of the cost. 

Read our Accessing Community Health Services web page to learn more about service costs.

Indigenous Health

Visit our Indigenous Health Services web pages, Indigenous Health Topics web pages, and Indigenous Health Resources for support and information.

2SLGBTQIA+ Community

Access our 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Resources web page and the Gender Diverse & 2SLGBTQIA+ Health Services web page for local care and support.

English as a Foreign Language

Patients coming to an Island Health location can get interpreting services on-demand in the language they need during their appointment or visit.

The service is also available to patients attending virtual care appointments.

Learn more by visiting our Interpreting Services web page.

Printable Materials

Facility Respite Care

Please note: Services and programs vary between communities. We will make every effort to meet your individual care needs with the local resources available.