Manage your health by phone or video (Community Virtual Care)

Get support to manage your health from home by phone or video. Help is available for people who need support with specific health conditions (listed below), symptoms, or recovery at home. 

When this service can help

This support may help if you are living with the following health conditions and want help  managing them from home.

This service can support people who have"

  • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Heart failure
  • Hypertension
  • Pre-diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes 

It may also help if you:

  • Need help managing symptoms of COVID19, heat-related illness, wildfire smoke inhalation, or influenza (flu)
  • Are living with a serious, progressive, or life-limiting illness and want support to manage your health and quality of life at home
  • Have recently left the hospital or emergency department and need short-term 
  • support
  • Are a family caregiver and want emotional support and help building coping skills 
     
This service is not a replacement for hospitalization or physician visits.

For life threatening or significant symptoms please seek medical attention.

What to expect

CKD, COPD, high blood pressure, heart failure, pre-diabetes, or Type 2 diabetes

You may be offered a 4 or 12 week support and education program. In the program you can expect:

  • A Registered Nurse to work with you (and your primary care provider, if you have one) to create a plan to manage your health
  • Daily health checks, such as blood pressure, oxygen levels, or pulse, using equipment loaned to you at no cost
  • Short daily questions to help your care team understand how you’re feeling and tailor support to your condition
  • Regular check‑ins by phone or video to review your progress, provide education, and support your health goals
  • Monitoring of your symptoms and measurements to watch for changes
  • Reports shared with your primary care provider when needed

Our goal is to help you learn about your condition, manage your symptoms, and feel more confident taking care of your health at home.

We will lend you health equipment for free so you can check your health at home. The equipment is easy to use, and support is available if you need help.

These services are offered by Community Virtual Care’s Chronic Disease Management program and Diabetes Education classes.

Palliative care

If you have a serious illness, you may:

  • Have regular phone or video appointments
  • Talk about your goals, worries, and symptoms
  • Get help planning for future care and services
Short-term illness: COVID-19, heat-related ilness, wildfire smoke inhalation, or influenza (flu)

Support is provided to people with mild to moderate symptoms. You may receive phone support to help you:

  • Recover safely at home
  • Track symptoms as you heal
  • Understand when symptoms are improving or when follow up care is needed

Equipment to track your health will be loaned to you at no cost. You do not need to be comfortable with technology, equipment is simple to use, and support is provided.

Short-term support after a hospital visit

If you recently left the hospital or the emergency department, a nurse will call you. They will help you with your care plan and connect you with other community services if needed.

Provided by the Community Virtual Care's Supportive Discharge Program.

Support for caregivers

If you care for a family member or friend, you may:

  • Receive support and counselling
  • Learn practical skills to support both your loved one and yourself

Provided by the Community Virtual Care (CVC) Caregiver Support Program

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Am I eligible?

You may be eligible if you are 19+ and have health needs that can be supported through Community Virtual Care.

Eligibility depends on your situation, call the Community Access Line to learn more.

How to begin

Have the following details and documents ready for yourself or the person you’re calling for:

  • A valid BC Services Card
  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Home address

Call the Community Access Line for one-on-one support. 

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. 

Costs and fees

The equipment and tools you need for Community Virtual Care are loaned to you for free. If there are any other costs, your care team will explain them before you start.

Additional program support

Community Virtual Care FAQs

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Diabetes
Chronic Kidney Disease
Hypertension