Emergency

Flexible Adaptable Home Support Team (FAHST)

women handing juice over to elderly

The Flexible Adaptable Home Support Team (FAHST) provides Home Support services to vulnerable clients who may require more flexibility and consistency in their care. Home Support workers trained in trauma-informed care, cultural safety and harm reduction make up the team and work with the support of licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and others.

FAHST provides low-barrier access to Home Support services for vulnerable clients who may require more flexibility in scheduling when they receive care and greater consistency in who provides their care, than those who receive traditional Home Support. Clients of FAHST typically face multiple barriers to accessing health care and may also be unhoused or struggling to maintain housing.

FAHST provides instrumental activities of daily living (iADLS) such as light cleaning and laundry, in conjunction with other traditional Home Support needs, like personal care and/or medication administration.

This specially trained team of community health workers, nurses, community liaison workers, and schedulers collaborates with clients and their care providers to create Home Support care plans that are adaptable and flexible enough to meet clients’ needs, wherever they are at.

What to expect

Clients can expect care from Home Support workers trained in trauma-informed care, cultural safety and harm reduction. Home Support workers work with the support of licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and others.

Team members will visit clients in their homes, and may assist with:

  • personal care (eg. dressing, mouth care, hair washing, bathing/showering, bowel/bladder management, eating/feeding/meal preparation, medication support)
  • instrumental activities of daily living (eg. laundry, food preparation, cleaning)
  • community integration (eg. escorting or providing assistance getting to appointments, connecting with community resources, paying bills, shopping for food)
  • other activities to maintain housing and independence

Resources

Locations

FAHST provides care to clients throughout Vancouver.

Note: We are currently focusing on referrals for clients who live in the Downtown Eastside and surrounding areas, with future goals to expand throughout Vancouver. If you have any questions about a client’s eligibility, please contact the team at the referral email address.

FAHST operates seven days per week from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.