Our fully trained RN’s (Registered Nurses) and LPN’s (Licensed Practical Nurses) deliver nursing services in our clients’ homes. At-home visits are usually ordered by the client’s own doctor or upon release from hospital and the cost is covered by the Nova Scotia health care system.  

VON nurses perform a variety of procedures, including:

• Wound Care
  -for surgical, traumatic or chronic wounds
• Palliative Care
  -compassionate care and comfort to clients facing death, as well as their families and caregivers
• Intravenous Care
  -for fluids, medication, or chemotherapy
• Ostomy Care                                                                             
  -advice on how to care for the ostomy and adjust to a new way of life with minimal disruption
• Paediatric Services
  -central line management, wound management, medication administration and respite care for families
• Respiratory Care
  -to help stabilize, decrease visits to hospital and shorten the hospital stays of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, emphysema, cystic fibrosis and other respiratory conditions
• Dialysis
  -for ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, which removes the body's waste products through the tissue lining the abdomen without the use of a machine

In addition to the emotional support and companionship VON nurses provide, they offer a wealth of practical information on proper nursing procedures, strategies for achieving independent living, and potential community resources. Because of their close contact with their patients, VON nurses are often the first to notice changes and can alert the patient’s physician and family to ensure the patient continues to receive the best care possible.

Home Care is a service offered by the Continuing Care Branch of the Nova Scotia Department of Health that aims to help any Nova Scotian requiring assistance remain as independent as possible for as long as possible through home support, nursing care, and home oxygen. Here in the Annapolis Valley, VON carries out Home Care duties on behalf of the Department of Health, assisting over 12,000 people each year.

The first step in securing home care is to call the Department of Health – Continuing Care Branch at 1-800-225-7225. A care coordinator will arrange for a time to conduct an assessment, after which VON Annapolis Valley will be notified of the level of care required and home support visits can begin.  

Home support workers offer:

• Personal Care, Companion Services and Light Housekeeping
  -help with tasks such as laundry and light housekeeping - in some cases, volunteers provide companionship and might help with errands, but don't provide personal care or cleaning
• Respite Care
  -under the supervision of a VON nurse, a trained respite caregiver visits a client’s home regularly to assist with personal care and to plan activities
• Meal Preparation
  -assist clients with meal preparation or prepare meals for clients who are unable to do so themselves

All of the following community support programs are funded entirely by community donations, memorial donations, grants, and fundraising efforts. While the programs are coordinated by VON employees, they are delivered by VON Annapolis Valley’s 250 dedicated volunteers. 

• Meals on Wheels
  Hot, nourishing meals delivered to your home.
• Frozen Favourites
  Frozen entrees that can be delivered for clients to use when desired. Nutritionally balanced meals perfect for those with diabetic concerns or dietary restrictions such as sodium or fat intake.
• Congregate Dining/Lunch Bunch
  Meals served during the lunch hour, bringing clients together for a nutritious meal and socializing and/or educational sessions.  Lunch Bunch is held from December to May in many areas throughout the valley and advertised in local media and church bulletins.
• Safety Check-In    
  A regular, no-fee phone call to check on a client's well-being.
• Subway Lunch & Learn   
  Middleton Subway generously donates both the meal and the meeting space for these monthly education sessions. Guest speakers educate participants on a variety of topics including recycling, falls prevention, and information regarding the Nova Scotia Home Care program.
• Palliative Care   
  Specially trained volunteers provide respite to family members and companionship to the person who has been diagnosed with a life threatening illness.    
• Friends in Bereavement                                                                                     A support group led by a grief facilitator to assist people wiht grief and loss.    
• Adult Day Programs     
  A safe, secure and stimulating environment addressing social, physical, nutritional and recreational needs.
• Foot Care Clinics    
  A nursing assessment, care and advice for clients who have difficulties taking care of their feet. 
• Volunteer Visiting                                                                                               One-to-one support and friendship for socially isolated clients
• Project Lifesaver                                                                                            Clients with Alzheimer's, Autism, Down's Syndrome or brain injury receive a Personal Locator Unit
• VON Lifeline                                                                                            Participants use a medical alert pendant to call for help by pressing a button or when the pendant detects a fall.

 

Traveling Outside of Canada?            

Whether you are travelling for work or pleasure, VON Annapolis Valley encourages you to travel smart.

This service is for everyone: the individual traveller, school groups, sports teams, musical groups, or business traveller, we want you to be as educated as possible before you fly.

Preparing for international travel should include a large educational component. VON Annapolis Valley offers the immunizations and vaccines needed and required to travel to foreign countries. The clinic is staffed with trained VON nurses who act as travel coaches, who will provide information, not only on vaccines, but food contamination, insect bites, sun protection and water issues in foreign lands.
Our staff receive regular updates from Public Health Canada and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Plan to book into the clinic four to six weeks prior to take-off to allow for a series of immunizations. Travellers should bring their personal health and immunizations history and a detailed itinerary.

How To Contact the Clinic
Phone: 681-2FLY or toll free 1-800-411-9646
E-Mail: avpretravel@von.ca