Resources
Below you will find a list of resources that have become available due to the challenging times folks are facing. Please note that information is changing on a daily basis, and while we do our best to ensure that the information we provide is up to date, we encourage our residents to go to the official channels to enquire further regarding these services.
Additionally, if you are experiencing extraordinary hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact us so that we are able to provide more pertinent information on future resource pages and to connect you with services that have become available.
Food Supports
- VCH Grocery Shop by Phone – This program helps home-bound older adults and people with disabilities with grocery shopping. Call a designated order line to place an order. Volunteers will then pick up and deliver the groceries to your home. For more information please contact: 604-875-4608
Health Supports
- Babylon by Telus Health (mobile app) – Babylon is a free healthcare mobile app that allows you to check symptoms, consult with doctors by video, get prescriptions and referral, and access your health records. Consultations with doctors are covered under the Medical Services Plan (MSP).
- Prescription Delivery – Getting your medication on time is important. Prescription delivery service is currently offered at all London Drugs pharmacy locations. Ask your London Drugs pharmacy about the availability and convenience of home delivery of medications if you are unable to make it for in-store pickup.
COVID-19 Information
- Testing/Assessment – Testing guidelines up until recently focused on high risk populations (such as community outbreaks, critically ill individuals, healthcare workers, and long-term care residents) but have recently expanded. Now, anyone with symptoms can be tested through their family physician or community testing centres. More information will be made available in the coming days so be sure to check in on information coming from the Ministry of Health and the BC CDC.
- If you are displaying symptoms and are concerned that you may have COVID-19, please call 8-1-1 and they will be able to assist you in finding a location to get tested at.
- REACH UPCC (Urgent and Primary Care Centre) – If experiencing more than mild symptoms and would like to be assessed, you can access the UPCC, or for consultation with a nurse, call 604-216-3138.
Activities
For this week’s activities, we encourage you to try something active! It can be tempting to stay idle as we become accustomed to an indoor lifestyle, but it is as important as ever to move and get exercise, even if it’s just in your living room. Try these low-impact exercises for a quick, seated workout.
Simple Seated Workout
Sudoku Puzzle
Recipe
Chili Cheese Dip
This week’s recipe comes from Mary McKay, Brightside’s Manager of People and Culture. Mary offers up her deliciously popular chili cheese dip. Yum!
Ingredients
- A cup or block of cream cheese (softened at room temperature)
- A can of prepared chili (of your choice)
- Tortilla chips (or gluten-free crackers)
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In an oven-safe dish (e.g. Pie dish), spread the cream cheese in an even layer along the bottom of the dish. I like to use the back of a large spoon to spread out the cream cheese.
- Next, open, pour and spread the prepared chili over the cream cheese layer; smooth out.
- Optional: For extra cheesiness, sprinkle a handful of shredded cheese (of your choice) as the final topping.
- Place the oven-safe dish in the oven; bake at 350 degrees for about 20 min.
- Then get your tortilla chips ready and dive into the best gooey chili cheese dip ever!
Tip: If you don’t eat the entire dip (which rarely ever happens in my house), then you can just refrigerate, reheat and enjoy the next day!