Better at Home

Serving Nanaimo, Gabriola Island, and Ladysmith

Better at Home is a program that helps older adults continue living independently in their own homes and remain connected to their communities by providing simple non-medical home support services.

This provincially-funded program is managed by the United Way of the Lower Mainland and has been offered through Nanaimo Family Life Association for over 8 years.

Through NFLA, our Better at Home Program serves Nanaimo and Lantzville, Ladysmith, and Gabriola Island. Any senior living in one of these communities is eligible to apply.

All of our services are designed to suit the individual needs of the client, and services are delivered by contractors who have been carefully screened to ensure professionalism and safety for our clients.

Service fees are established on an income-based sliding scale with subsidies available for low-income seniors. This is a non-urgent, regularly scheduled service.

Please fill out the referral form to be placed on the waitlist or give us a call. 

Services Provided:

Light Housekeeping—Services include surface cleaning tasks such as floors, kitchens, and bathrooms, vacuuming, sweeping, dusting, cleaning out and organizing the fridge, emptying garbage/recycling/compost, and emptying the dishwasher. We can also assist with laundry and changing bedding. We do not provide heavy or deep cleaning services (spring cleaning or move outs), such as washing windows or walls, carpet cleaning, cleaning the oven, moving heavy furniture or pet clean-up. Clients are to provide supplies required.

Light Yard Work (Ladysmith/Gabriola only): Services include light yardwork such as weeding and watering garden beds, assisting with flower planters/ports, trimming small trees/bushes, raking leaves, and some lawn maintenance. Other potential services may included wood chopping/piling for Gabriola residents. Examples of services not provided include cutting down of overgrown lawns, trimming blackberry bushes, landscaping, rodent removal, cleaning gutters or power washing. Clients are to provide safe working equipment for the job.

Transportation— Services for seniors to/from medical and non-medical appointments. This service is based upon volunteer availability and must be arranged the week prior to the appointment. Examples of non-medical requests may include going to the grocery store or to visit a family member. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide transportation for persons who use wheelchairs or rely on oxygen tanks.

Click here to fill out a referral form.

Once completed, please send forms to Email: a_turnbull@nflabc.org

For more information about NFLA Better at Home, please contact:

Angela Turnbull
Better at Home Coordinator

Phone: 250 754-3331 (ext. 203)
Email: a_turnbull@nflabc.org

Maria Cerna
Better at Home Transportation & Food Security Programs Coordinator

Phone: 250 754-3331 (ext. 202)
Email: m_cerna@nflabc.org