Home and community care

Start here for trusted care in your home and community. 

Call the Community Access Line to check eligibility, get matched to care, or find options that fit. No doctor's referral is required.

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

Care options

Nursing care at home and in the community

Get help with skin and wound care, medication management, IV care, post-hospital care, and more.
Caregiver support and respite

Get a short break from caregiving, find counselling, and build coping skills.
Home support

Get help at home such as bathing, dressing, medications, and other daily care needs.
Manage your health by phone or video (virtual care)

Get help to manage your health from home if you have a chronic, life‑limiting, or seasonal condition.
Stay independent at home

Get support to manage health challenges, related life changes, and ongoing or complex health needs.
Assisted living and long-term care

When your needs can no longer be supported at home or in the community, learn about living and care options.
End-of-life, palliative care and hospice

Get care focused on comfort and quality of life during serious and life‑limiting illness.
Developmental disability support

Get help with direct care, care planning, education, and advocacy.
Brain injury support

Find support to help you stay active and independent after a brain injury.
How service costs work

Learn about the cost of most subsidized home and community healthcare services.

Private-pay care options

You can pay a private company for help at home, nursing care, or other support. This can be either as a standalone service or in addition to what Island Health provides. 

These services are not covered by MSP, so you must pay the company directly.

Learn more about the quality and safety for both funded and private home care.

Island Health does not run, recommend, or guarantee any private companies.

Important: Check before you book

If you use private-pay care, ask about rates, minimum hours, extra fees, cancellation or termination policies, staff training, backup coverage, and privacy practices. 

Not sure where to start?

Call 8-1-1 to talk to a patient navigator about the support you might need.