The goal of the Collaborative is to provide wellness-related activities and services at no cost, for eligible* families and individuals of all ages throughout the community.
*Initial eligibility requirements may include any of the following:
The client should be essentially homebound, meaning that the client’s absences from home are infrequent and require considerable effort or the assistance of another person.
The client should be compromised with respect to personal care, mobility, meal preparation, or transportation.
The client may be experiencing a personal loss, such as the death of a family member living with the client, or may be recovering from an operation or extended hospital stay.
The client may have a sensory impairment or cognitive disorder that would prevent the ability to drive.
The client may be a caregiver who does not personally meet one of these eligibility requirements but is requesting services on behalf of a spouse or family member who does.
Clients who otherwise fit the service goals of the Wellness Collaborative as determined by the Board of Directors.
Additional eligibility requirements will be added as experience dictates or as new programs are established. The Collaborative will not be able to respond to any emergency requests. Clients must use existing emergency services for any critical situations.
BC Meals
“The first two weeks of my recovery after hip replacement, I was at my daughter’s; then, I came home. I’m a widow and I needed help; and, they were there to help me.” J.B.
BC Meals is a food delivery program for neighbors needing short-term (typically no more than approximately 2 weeks) assistance. Meals may be needed due to illness, recovering from surgery, a death in the family or other extenuating circumstances. The purpose of the program is to allow individuals to maintain healthy nutritional standards and to meet dietary needs.
Meals can be provided through one of the following avenues:
Store-to-Door – Online ordering of grocery store items with delivery to the home through the BC Rides program.
Meal Train – Meal preparation by volunteers with home delivery.
Wheels and Meals - Available to any person who is receiving a Ride through the BC Rides Program (see BC Rides eligibility) from a medical procedure that might make it difficult to return home and prepare a meal for you and your spouse.
BC Rides
“The logistics were handled with absolute professionalism. It was just a joy to have the resources available for me.” B.H.
BC Rides was developed to assist our neighbors who require help with non-emergency transportation services. Rides are provided by volunteer drivers who have been certified with a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) check. Transportation will be provided within a 60-mile radius from the Big Canoe Main Gate. For the best opportunity of securing a driver, riders are asked to give as much notice as possible, the preference is at least 48 hours. There is no cost to the rider.
Transportation is available for:
Medical appointments at hospitals, doctors, dentists, therapy, and other medical facilities
Pick up of mail
Pickup of groceries or prescriptions at IGA
Deposit of trash at the North Gate
Note:
Client must be ambulatory and able to get in and out of the vehicle without assistance (we cannot transport wheelchairs).
Riders must be 18 years of age or older.
BC Visits
“It gave me two hours for me, to go to the grocery or do whatever. They extended his quality of life.” J.P.
BC Visits is a program to assist residents who need companion, non-medical, non-emergency services for their spouse, family member or for their loved ones. We are not able to assist with home care services such as bathing, toileting, lifting, feeding, medications, or assisting clients with wheelchair usage. We can provide support for memory loss clients in the early to mid-stages of the disease. The required home visit by the coordinator will determine if the volunteer will be able to engage with the homebound and keep them safe.
We can also provide a service to check in on clients who, for whatever reason, have become shut-ins. We typically operate Monday through Friday between the hours of 10am and 6pm; however, the program is entirely dependent on the availability of volunteers. If a client needs help outside these hours, they will be accommodated if a volunteer is available.
BC Info
BC Info is essentially the ‘help line’ through which individuals can request assistance and referral information on a number of items relating to health and wellness. Should you be requesting services such as Meals, Rides, or Visits, the BC Info volunteers will gather pertinent information from you, determine your eligibility, and then coordinate with the appropriate Program. Or, perhaps you’re looking for a local resource from which to borrow/rent home medical equipment, the BC Info line can help.
Eligibility for BC Info services:
All residents and their family members are eligible to contact the BC Info team
Support Services
This service encompasses many aspects to support the wellness of the community. We offer a Grief Support Group several times a year as well as an ongoing Support Group for Caregivers of Family Members Suffering Memory Loss. Both of which are led by trained professionals. The Wellness Collaborative also coordinates other activities such as vaccine clinics, blood drives and works with Public Safety to offer CPR classes.
Education Program
The Education Program develops and presents learning opportunities for the community using healthcare experts. The programs will focus on common health concerns, illnesses, wellness, and related healthcare topics of interest. All residents are eligible to participate in these Education Programs.