Understanding Better at Home in Vancouver
Better at Home represents one of Vancouver’s most vital community support networks, helping seniors age in place with dignity while maintaining strong neighbourhood connections. This provincially funded program operates through trusted local organizations across Vancouver, delivering non-medical home support services designed specifically for each community’s unique needs.
Better at Home is a province-wide program funded by the Government of BC and managed by the United Way of the Lower Mainland to help seniors remain independent at home and stay connected with their community. The program recognizes that maintaining independence isn’t just about physical capability—it’s about preserving the social fabric that makes life meaningful.
In Vancouver’s diverse neighbourhoods, from the bustling Downtown Eastside to the tree-lined streets of South Vancouver, Better at Home adapts its services to reflect local demographics and cultural diversity. Better at Home supports seniors to age in place with dignity, stay socially connected and prevents social isolation, especially among seniors who are most vulnerable. This approach ensures that whether you’re a longtime resident of Kitsilano or a newcomer to Richmond, culturally appropriate support is available.
The program’s community-based approach means services aren’t delivered through a distant bureaucracy but through neighbourhood organizations you may already know and trust. These local providers understand the unique challenges of Vancouver living, from navigating steep hills in neighborhoods like Queen Elizabeth to accessing services in areas with limited transit connections.
Vancouver’s rapidly changing demographics make Better at Home increasingly essential. The share of persons aged 65 and older within the total population would increase from 18.9% in 2023 to between 21.9% (slow-aging scenario) and 32.3% (fast-aging scenario) in 2073. This growth means more families will need aging in place strategies that keep loved ones connected to their established communities while providing necessary support.
Vancouver’s Better at Home Service Network
Vancouver’s Better at Home network operates through established community organizations that have served local neighbourhoods for decades. Each provider brings deep community knowledge and cultural competency to ensure services meet diverse needs across the city’s multicultural landscape.
South Vancouver receives services through a partnership between South Vancouver Neighbourhood House and Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS). Services include grocery shopping, friendly visits, snow shovelling, minor home repairs, light yard work, light housekeeping, and transportation (details below). This collaboration leverages both organizations’ strengths—SVNH’s community roots and PICS’s expertise serving diverse cultural communities.
The North Shore (including North Vancouver and West Vancouver) partners with North Shore Community Resources Society, which has served the area since 1976. Services include light housekeeping, grocery shopping assistance, friendly visits, minor home repairs, light yard work, and transportation services. This mature organization understands the unique geography and demographics of North Shore communities.
East Vancouver neighbourhoods including Grandview-Woodland and Commercial Drive areas often connect through multiple providers depending on specific location. The Burnaby border areas may access services through Burnaby Neighbourhood House, which recently expanded its reach through partnerships with Burnaby Community Services and Meals on Wheels programs.
Each provider maintains sliding scale fee structures based on household income, ensuring accessibility regardless of financial circumstances. Fees are charged for some services on a sliding scale (based on income). Many organizations offer services in multiple languages, reflecting Vancouver’s multicultural character.
The assessment process begins with a simple phone call to your neighbourhood provider. Staff conduct comprehensive needs assessments to match services with individual circumstances, preferences, and cultural requirements. This personalized approach ensures that services complement existing family support and community connections rather than replacing them.
Service Categories and Neighbourhood Variations
Better at Home services fall into several core categories, though availability varies by neighbourhood based on local needs assessment and volunteer capacity. Understanding these variations helps families make informed decisions about service planning and expectations.
Housekeeping services focus on tasks that become physically challenging with age. Assistance with housekeeping tasks that are physically too difficult for a senior to perform. Housekeeping services are provided by trained staff. These services typically include bathroom and kitchen cleaning, floor care, and light tidying, though clients must provide cleaning supplies and equipment.
Transportation services address Vancouver’s unique geography and transit accessibility challenges. Transportation offered is with a volunteer-driven car, with designated pick-up and drop-off points/accompaniment. Services prioritize medical appointments but may include shopping trips and social outings depending on volunteer availability and neighbourhood policies.
Home maintenance covers minor repairs and seasonal tasks. Light yard work services include lawn mowing and yard clean up. Equipment must be provided by the client. This category proves particularly valuable in Vancouver’s rainy climate, where outdoor maintenance can become overwhelming for seniors managing mobility or health challenges.
Social connection services combat isolation through structured friendly visiting programs. Friendly visits are provided through phone calls and virtually to help overcome the challenges of independent living and provide companionship. These free services often prove most transformative, providing regular social contact and informal wellness monitoring.
Grocery shopping assistance adapts to neighbourhood characteristics—from navigating busy markets in Chinatown to accessing specialty stores in Little Italy. Volunteers familiar with local shopping patterns help maintain dietary preferences and cultural food traditions.
Service variations reflect each neighbourhood’s demographic profile and volunteer base. Areas with established volunteer networks may offer expanded services, while neighbourhoods with significant newcomer populations might emphasize culturally appropriate support and language assistance.
Eligibility Requirements and Application Process
Better at Home eligibility centers on age, geography, and functional need rather than income, though fee structures consider financial circumstances. Understanding these requirements helps families plan appropriately for aging in place transitions.
Primary eligibility requires residence in a served Vancouver neighbourhood and age 65 or older. Assists North Shore (North Vancouver and West Vancouver) seniors age 65 and over who are in general good health or between the ages of 55 to 64 and on disability assistance. Some providers extend services to individuals aged 55-64 receiving disability assistance, recognizing that functional limitations may occur before traditional retirement age.
Functional requirements focus on difficulty performing specific tasks rather than overall health status. Applicants should be living independently but require assistance with particular activities. The program serves seniors in “general good health” who need help with daily tasks, not those requiring medical care or extensive personal assistance.
Geographic boundaries align with community organization service areas rather than municipal borders. South Vancouver residents connect with SVNH/PICS partnerships, while North Shore residents work with NSCR. Some neighbourhoods may have multiple options, allowing choice based on language, cultural affinity, or specific service needs.
The application process begins with initial phone contact to assess basic eligibility and service availability. An intake interview and registration are required. This conversation covers current living situation, specific needs, family support, and cultural considerations.
Formal assessment typically includes a home visit to better understand living environment, safety considerations, and service logistics. Assessors evaluate not just immediate needs but also potential future requirements, helping develop sustainable long-term aging plans.
Waitlists exist for some services, particularly housekeeping and transportation in high-demand areas. Our subsidized housekeeping program is full and has a waitlist. Understanding realistic timelines helps families make appropriate interim arrangements while awaiting service initiation.
Working with Vancouver’s Cultural Communities
Vancouver’s multicultural landscape requires Better at Home providers to navigate diverse cultural expectations, language needs, and family structures when delivering culturally competent care. This sensitivity ensures services complement rather than conflict with traditional family caregiving approaches.
Language accessibility varies by provider and neighbourhood demographics. Translation service in Farsi may be available through North Shore Community Resources, while South Vancouver providers often accommodate Mandarin, Cantonese, and Punjabi speakers through staff or volunteer interpreters. Families should discuss language preferences during initial assessment.
Cultural food preferences receive attention in grocery shopping and meal-related services. Volunteers familiar with ethnic grocery stores and specialty markets help maintain dietary traditions essential to cultural identity and nutritional well-being. This knowledge proves particularly valuable in neighbourhoods like Commercial Drive, Chinatown, or Little India.
Family dynamics consideration acknowledges that many cultures emphasize family responsibility for elder care. Better at Home services work alongside, not in place of, family support systems. Programs respect traditional hierarchies while providing practical assistance that enables family caregivers to maintain their own health and employment.
Religious observance accommodation includes scheduling services around religious holidays, dietary restrictions, and worship attendance. Providers understand that maintaining spiritual connections often proves essential to seniors’ overall well-being and social engagement.
Community integration approaches vary by cultural background, with some seniors preferring services delivered by volunteers from similar backgrounds while others welcome cross-cultural connections. Assessment processes explore these preferences to ensure comfortable, effective service delivery.
The Balanced Care Method® philosophy, emphasizing holistic well-being of mind, body, and spirit, aligns naturally with many cultural approaches to aging that view elder care as encompassing emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions alongside physical needs.
Taking Action: Next Steps
Beginning your Better at Home journey requires connecting with your neighbourhood provider to discuss specific needs and service availability. This process works best when families approach it as collaborative planning rather than crisis response.
Initial contact should happen before needs become urgent. We do require advance notice if you would like to request any of our services. For grocery, delivery, and transportation, we require at least 3-5 days notice. Early engagement allows time for proper assessment, service matching, and relationship building with providers and volunteers.
Information gathering before your call helps streamline the process. Prepare details about current living situation, specific task difficulties, existing family support, language preferences, and cultural considerations. Having recent tax information available helps determine appropriate fee structures.
Contact information varies by neighbourhood:
- South Vancouver: South Vancouver Neighbourhood House at 604-324-6212 ext 141
- North Vancouver/West Vancouver: North Shore Community Resources at 604-982-3313
- Other Vancouver areas: Contact United Way of the Lower Mainland at the Better at Home website for appropriate local provider
Backup planning remains essential given service capacity limitations and volunteer availability. Better at Home works best as part of a comprehensive aging in place strategy that might include private services, family support, and community connections.
Conclusion
Better at Home Vancouver represents more than a collection of support services—it embodies a community commitment to helping neighbours age with dignity and maintain meaningful connections to the places and people they cherish. Through neighbourhood-based providers who understand local culture, geography, and needs, the program offers practical assistance while preserving the independence and community ties that make aging in place both possible and fulfilling.
As Vancouver’s senior population continues growing, Better at Home’s community-driven approach provides a sustainable model for supporting aging residents. The program’s success depends not just on government funding or organizational capacity, but on the volunteers, staff, and community members who choose to invest in their neighbours’ well-being. For families navigating aging transitions, Better at Home offers both immediate practical support and connection to broader community resources essential for long-term success.
Important Disclaimers
The information in this post reflects Better at Home program details as of August 2025. Program availability, eligibility requirements, and service offerings may change based on funding, volunteer capacity, and community needs. Contact local providers directly for current information.
This content provides educational information only and should not replace professional consultation with healthcare providers, social workers, or program administrators. Individual circumstances vary significantly, and proper assessment by qualified professionals remains essential for determining appropriate services and eligibility.
Service availability depends on volunteer capacity and may include waitlists or seasonal variations. While Better at Home strives to meet community needs, operational factors may affect service delivery timing and scope.
Contact TheKey
At TheKey, we understand the importance of comprehensive support as families navigate aging transitions. Our experienced care experts can help you explore how Better at Home services might complement professional home care to create a complete aging in place strategy.
Contact TheKey today to connect with our care team and learn how our Balanced Care Method® approach can work alongside community programs like Better at Home to support your loved one’s independence, dignity, and well-being at home.
