Recent News at VHA
2025
News
Occupational Therapy
Meet VHA Occupational Therapist Deborah Spivak: Small Moments, Big Impact
October 22, 2025
When you ask VHA’s Deborah Spivak what she loves most about being an occupational therapist, her answer is simple: “I love making a difference.” For nearly three decades, Deborah has been doing just that, helping people regain independence, adapt to challenges and continue doing the things that make life meaningful....
2025
Connected Families Parenting Support
News
Celebrating Our Child and Family Support Workers for Community Support Month
October 20, 2025
In the photo above our Child and Family Support Workers pose together in a team meeting in July 2025. October is Community Support Month in Ontario. Community Support programs and services throughout the province help over one million Ontarians live well at home and in their communities through services like...
2025
News
Helping students achieve academic success through VHA’s Head Start Scholarship program
October 14, 2025
It’s no secret that the cost of attending college or university can be a huge barrier for families. VHA’s Head Start Scholarship program was developed to help empower the children of our VHA team members to follow their dreams by pursuing academic excellence at college or university -and support the...
2025
News
Benefits Canada: How VHA Home HealthCare is using DEI data to track metrics, inform organizational practices
October 14, 2025
In the midst of the current backlash against the very concept of diversity, equity and inclusion, VHA Home HealthCare is reinforcing its decades-long focus on developing an inclusive workplace culture. “Our commitment to DEI is central to our people strategy, so we’re not backing away, but rather continuing to emphasize...
2025
News
Research and Innovation
VHA Home HealthCare’s New Interprofessional Collaboration Competency Framework: A Guide for Homecare Teams in Ontario
October 14, 2025
As the healthcare landscape in Ontario continues to move towards a more integrated system, interprofessional collaboration (IPC) has become increasingly vital to delivering high-quality, person-centred care. This is especially important in home healthcare where providers often work independently. In support of this need, researchers and clinical leaders at VHA Home...
2025
News
“We’re lucky to have her”: Spotlight on VHA leader Lauren Black and her contributions at VHA and across the health care sector
October 10, 2025
When people think of lawyers, they often picture courtrooms and combative trials. The image of a trusted partner and advisor who enables collaboration, operational efficiency and accountability might not come as easily to mind. But that is precisely the role Lauren Black plays. As General Counsel and Chief Legal, Privacy...
2025
News
Nursing
Occupational Therapy
Palliative Care
Personal Care
Physiotherapy
Celebrating VHA’s 2025 Client Choice Awards
September 28, 2025
At VHA, care isn’t just a service, it’s a calling. Our team is made up of people who lead with purpose, build meaningful connections, and pour their hearts into delivering exceptional care to the communities we serve. Every year, the Client Choice Awards give clients and families the chance to...
#VHABPSO
2025
News
VHA Home HealthCare achieves redesignation as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization
September 19, 2025
Pictured above: VHA’s Professional Practice team celebrating VHA’s 2025 BPSO redesignation Recently, VHA’s Professional Practice team met with delegates from the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) to confirm VHA’s completion of requirements leading to its redesignation as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO). VHA’s redesignation as a BPSO recognizes...
2025
Blog Post
Coming Out Later In Life: Supporting a 2SLGBTQIA+ Loved One
September 15, 2025
Coming out is the process of sharing your sexual orientation or gender identity with those around you. It can bring relief and celebration, but also feelings of fear and overwhelm. For older adults, this experience may carry even greater weight. Many grew up in times when being open about their...
2025
Blog Post
Providing Support to Others
Supporting Your Kids as They Parent: Tips for Today’s Grandparents
September 11, 2025
Grandparenting today looks different than it did a generation ago. In Canada, there are more grandparents than ever before, and many play a hands-on role, whether through school pickups, caring for little ones when they’re sick or simply being a steady source of love and fun. At the same time,...
2025
Blog Post
Personal Care
Right place at the right time: The caring act of a VHA PSW
September 11, 2025
On a warm July day earlier this year, Irene, a personal support worker (PSW) at VHA Home HealthCare (VHA), was on her way to visit her client, Mary Anne, when she came across an emergency situation. “I was on my way to see my client and was waiting for the...
2025
Dietetics
News
Nursing
Occupational Therapy
Personal Care
Physiotherapy
Kew Beach Unit Celebrates Five Years of Collaborative Care
September 8, 2025
This spring marked five years since the launch of the Kew Beach Unit—an innovative transitional care program created in response to the urgent challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally developed as a temporary off-site hospital wing to create additional bed capacity, the unit has since evolved into an essential part...
2025
Blog Post
Dementia Care
Creating a Dementia-Friendly Home: Tips for Caregivers
September 5, 2025
Dementia-related illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease can affect memory, judgement, movement, sensory processing abilities and behaviour. These changes can alter how a person experiences their surroundings, making even a familiar home feel confusing or unsafe. If someone you care for is experiencing cognitive changes and remaining at home is the...
2025
News
TREVOR HEER Named Interim Vice President, Integrated Client & Community Care and Chief Operating Officer
September 5, 2025
Effective September 5, 2025, Trevor Heer has stepped into the role of Interim Vice President, Integrated Client & Community Care (IC&CC) and Chief Operating Officer at VHA Home HealthCare (VHA). Trevor is a stellar leader who is well-positioned to lead VHA’s IC&CC team over this transitionary period and be a valuable...
2025
Blog Post
Chronic Disease
Understanding Non-Visible Disabilities in Older Adults
September 3, 2025
Some of the most difficult health challenges can be the ones we can’t see. As many as 80% of disabilities are non-visible, meaning they can significantly impact a person’s daily life without obvious outward signs. These ‘hidden’ disabilities can affect people of all ages, but older adults are especially vulnerable....
2025
News
Research and Innovation
Our Patient Care Partners Play a Key Role at Camp Innovate
August 20, 2025
On Thursday, August 14, VHA’s Innovation Team held their annual Summer Session. This year’s theme – Camp Innovate! This exciting and well-attended event brought together the VHA community of funding partners, innovative technology partners, office staff and frontline team members to exchange ideas and explore how we can bring promising...
2025
Blog Post
Staying Connected: Preventing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults
August 20, 2025
Everyone needs meaningful social connections to live well. But as we grow older, it’s common to spend more time alone due to health issues, the loss of loved ones or major life changes like retirement. While taking time for yourself is healthy and necessary, extended periods of disconnection can lead...
2025
News
2025 Client Choice Nominations Highlight Outstanding Staff and Service Providers at VHA
August 19, 2025
Over the past hundred years, the one constant at VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) has been our dedication to providing the best care possible, delivered with heart. Achieving this is no small feat and is only possible through the immeasurable passion and commitment shown by our staff and service providers. Every...
2025
News
VHA’s Chief Operating Officer David Fry resigns to take on exciting new opportunity
August 19, 2025
It is with mixed emotions that we share that David Fry has resigned from his position as Vice President, Integrated Client & Community Care (IC&CC) and Chief Operating Officer at VHA Home HealthCare (VHA). While we will miss David’s spectacular leadership at VHA, we are delighted to share that he...
2025
Blog Post
Mindfulness
Stress & Anxiety
Simple Grounding Techniques to Help Relieve Anxiety
August 15, 2025
Anxiety is something all of us have experienced—before a big presentation, during a tough commute or while navigating stressful life events. It’s a normal part of being a human and can serve an important purpose by alerting us to danger or perceived threats. Still, even everyday anxiety can feel overwhelming...
2025
Blog Post
News
Personal Care
Research and Innovation
Social Work
Thought Leadership
Building Better Schedules for PSWs Through Collaboration and Insight
August 5, 2025
A great deal of thought and effort goes into creating effective schedules for our personal support workers (PSWs). Whether it’s ensuring clients receive the care they need at the right times, mapping out the most direct routes to reduce travel time, or supporting work-life balance for our staff, we are...
2025
Blog Post
Understanding and Preventing Suicide Risk in Older Adults
August 5, 2025
Growing older can be a time of joy, wisdom and fulfillment, offering a chance to connect with family, enjoy retirement and reflect on life’s accomplishments. But for some older adults, aging is not always a positive experience. It can bring significant challenges including declining health, the loss of loved ones,...
2025
Blog Post
Burnout
Refill Your Cup
Life After Caregiving: Finding Purpose in the Next Chapter
July 31, 2025
Caregiving is a role that can be both profoundly meaningful and requires incredible devotion, shaping your daily life, identity and relationships. When that chapter ends after the death of a loved one, it can bring a complex mix of emotions and a sense of disconnect from the version of yourself...
2025
Blog Post
News
Getting to know Julia Hanigsberg — our most recent Board member
July 23, 2025
This spring, we were thrilled to welcome Julia Hanigsberg to VHA Home HealthCare (VHA)’s Board of Directors. As the President and CEO of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Julia has played a transformative role in the care of children. Her unique experience and knowledge are a perfect fit for VHA’s...
2025
News
Research and Innovation
Led by Science: Introducing the role of Homecare Scientist at VHA
July 15, 2025
VHA has a long-standing commitment to research and innovation in home and community health care that improves the care we deliver to our clients. We’re continuing to strengthen this commitment with the creation of two new Homecare Scientist roles on our Research team. These two Scientists are the first professionals...
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