Recent News at VHA
2023
News
Nursing
VHA nurses join Ontario’s Chief Nurse for a Special Roundtable Discussion centred around Home and Community Care
March 24, 2023
On Tuesday, February 28, Dr. Karima Velji, Chief of Nursing and Professional Practice and Assistant Deputy Minister of Health for the Province of Ontario, held a roundtable with a group of VHA Home HealthCare nurses. During the event, Dr. Velji spoke passionately about her vision and priorities and shared her...
2023
News
HR Director brings Personal Immigration Experience to Lead with Purpose at VHA
March 23, 2023
VHA’s Ernesto Sequera, Director, HR, Talent Acquisition and Development shares personal immigration story and how this connects to his leadership at VHA. ...
2023
Blog Post
Chronic Disease
Dining Out with Diabetes
March 23, 2023
If you are living with diabetes, eating well is one of the best tools you have for managing your health and disease. Meals rich in vegetables, fruits and lean proteins will help to control your blood sugar and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. Although following your management plan can...
2023
News
‘Embracing Equity’ This International Women’s Day
March 7, 2023
International Women’s Day on March 8 is a chance to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and girls....
2023
News
VHA Home HealthCare contributes home care perspective at national launch for envisAGE, a pan-Canadian initiative to help improve the quality of life for seniors
February 23, 2023
On January 25, 2023, a national launch event was held to unveil envisAGE, a large-scale pan-Canadian initiative with the mission of catalyzing Canada’s AgeTech ecosystem by supporting innovators to grow and scale their enterprises and deliver technology solutions that help older Canadians maintain a better quality of life, longer. The...
2023
News
TCU
Kew Beach Unit on Kingston Road provides transitional care program for Michael Garron Hospital patients
February 17, 2023
In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began to take a toll on Ontario’s healthcare system, hospitals including East York’s Michael Garron saw an increase in patients being admitted. To help alleviate some of the pressures on the medical system, Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) and VHA Home HealthCare launched the Kew...
2023
Blog Post
Travel Safety Tips for Older Adults
February 14, 2023
If you plan on travelling outside of Canada, there are some important travel safety tips for older adults to follow....
#VHABPSO
2023
News
Nursing
Supporting a Safe and Healthy Work Environment in Home and Community Care
January 30, 2023
As a RNAO Best Practice Spotlight Organization, VHA has been using best practices to prevent, recognize and manage challenges to protect our care providers....
2023
News
Choosing Leaps over Wintering: CEO Kathryn Nichol Shares VHA’s Priorities for 2023
January 26, 2023
2023 marks the fourth year of VHA’s Strategic Plan 2020-2025: Care to Transform. As ever, we are focused on our mission of creating possibilities for more independence, championing the needs of clients and families and delivering high quality, integrated care. Concurrently, Ontario continues to push forward with their agenda of...
2023
News
At Home with VHA: Meet the In-House Pharmacist Team
January 11, 2023
At Home with VHA tells the stories of those who make up our team. In every role, VHA care providers and staff are creating possibilities for more independence every day. We recently welcomed a team of In-House Pharmacists to VHA, filling first-of-their-kind roles as full-time experts to help our frontline...
2023
Blog Post
Reframe Resolutions for a More Intentional New Year
January 3, 2023
The natural urge for a fresh start can be a great opportunity to set goals and make positive change at the start of a new year. ...
2022
Blog Post
Blending Holiday Traditions as a Multi-Faith Family
December 20, 2022
Over the busy winter holiday season, celebrating or blending holiday traditions as a multi-faith family may be challenging....
#VHABPSO
2022
News
Nursing
Palliative Care
Interprofessional Education Days Explore Transition, Diversity and Inclusion in Paediatric and Palliative Care
December 19, 2022
This fall, VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) hosted the third annual Palliative Interprofessional Education Symposium (PALLIES) and the sixth annual Paediatric Interprofessional Education Symposium, also known as PIES Day. These education events bring together VHA staff and service providers from various roles on the paediatric and palliative teams, as well as...
2022
Blog Post
Supporting a Child with a Learning Disability
December 15, 2022
Learning disabilities, like the reading difficulties caused by dyslexia or writing and fine motor challenges found with dysgraphia, can affect a child’s ability to read, write, spell or understand math. Also referred to as ‘learning differences’, learning disabilities are not related to a person’s intelligence. In fact, people with learning...
2022
News
Alistair Forsyth Appointed Vice President, Digital Health and Chief Information Officer at VHA Home HealthCare
December 1, 2022
December 1, 2022 I am very pleased to announce that Alistair Forsyth has been appointed to the newly created role of Vice President, Digital Health and Chief Information Officer for VHA Home HealthCare (VHA), effective January 1st, 2023. Digital Health is a critical priority for VHA and for the entire...
2022
News
Inaugural VHA RAIN Drop Event Presents New Research: an Economic Analysis Supporting Increased Investment in Ontario’s Home Care Sector
November 30, 2022
Better for Healthcare Workers, Better for Patients, Better for Ontarians The number of Ontarians in need of home care services has been growing rapidly with demand projected to increase by 53% between 2019 to 2031. The majority of older adults want to remain at home for as long as possible;...
2022
Blog Post
Occupational Therapy
Falls Prevention Checklist for Caregivers: Reduce the Risk at Home
November 22, 2022
If you are caring for an aging friend or family member VHA’s Falls Prevention Checklist for Caregivers can help you make your home a safer space....
2022
Blog Post
Dementia Care
Tips for Coping with Sundown Syndrome
November 22, 2022
Sundown syndrome is a symptom of dementia that can cause anxiety, agitation, aggression, pacing and wandering to become more severe later in the day....
2022
Blog Post
Chronic Disease
Dietetics
Private Services
Eating Well During Cancer Treatment
November 20, 2022
Cancer treatments including chemotherapy, radiation and hormonal therapy often cause a range of side effects that can impact a person’s ability and desire to eat. Some clients continue to enjoy food throughout, but for others, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, mouth sores and other issues can make eating well during cancer treatment...
2022
Blog Post
Navigating the Workplace With a Visible or Non-Visible Disability
November 19, 2022
An estimated 22% of Canadians over 15 years of age have a visible or non-visible disability that limits a person’s movements, senses or daily activities....
2022
News
VHA Makes Changes to Phone System to Improve Client Experience
November 17, 2022
VHA has made some recent changes to our phone system to improve the experience for our clients and families when they are connecting with our Client Care Office Team. One of these adjustments includes 3 new steps for clients and families when they are calling VHA’s office to reach our...
2022
News
Personal Care
An Angel at her door: Client shares heartfelt poem about the impact of personal care
November 17, 2022
When Personal Support Worker Jane Kariuki knocked on her client’s door for her usual daily visit, she never expected to be leaving with a lifelong treasured memory. “She opened the door with a big smile on her face and said ‘I have a surprise for you,” recalls Jane. VHA Client...
2022
News
VHA Invests In Internationally Educated Nurses
November 16, 2022
VHA Home HealthCare’s Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) have a long history of being an important part of our workforce. Our IENs bring with them their own unique experience and expertise and play a critical role in our healthcare system. Recognizing that the journey towards certification can often be a challenge...
2022
Blog Post
Private Services
Encouraging Caregivers with Acts of Kindness
November 11, 2022
If you want to make a family caregiver in your life feel more encouraged and supported, here are some acts of kindness to lift them up....
2022
News
Nursing
Personal Care
TCU
From off-site hospital wing to comprehensive transitional care centre: VHA and East Toronto Health Partner’s Kew Beach Unit experiences remarkable growth to become model of integrated care delivery
November 10, 2022
When VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) and Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) and launched the Kew Beach Unit in 2020, it was meant to be a temporary off-site hospital wing designed to create additional bed capacity in response to hospital pressures arising from COVID-19. Two years later, the site – located at the...
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