Virtual Care
The Virtual Care Project is sponsored by Swan City Rotary Club through The Grande Prairie Palliative Care Society (GPPCS).
In 2018 with the support of Swan City Rotary, we created our Virtual “Care” and smart device loaner program. This service includes the loan of iPads, tablets, smartphones, Google Nest Hubs, and Alexas to individuals with a life-limiting illness and shut-in seniors. Our goal was to add another level of connection for isolated individuals needing to rely on modern technology to stay in touch with loved ones, their care team (doctor, specialists, pharmacy, therapies, etc), and their community.
All devices have a direct link to our staff and volunteers allowing individuals access to resources as needed, their own Nav-Care Volunteer, and one-to-one training/IT support as needed.
Carefully selected resources with serious illness in mind are pre-loaded on each smart device including Advanced Care Planning, Critical Illness Planning, Starting Difficult Conversations, Plan Well Guide, Give-A-Mile Flights, Virtues Cards, Healthy Mourning, Suicide Prevention, Alzheimer Society, ASANT Café, Canadian Mental Health, Chamber of Commerce, Help Seekers. These apps allow individuals and families to access what they need when they need it. Each iPad is also loaded with a library card to access virtual content such as ebooks, magazines, and audiobooks from The Grande Prairie Public Library.
These devices also allow access to what we call “Legacy Photos”. Photos and videos taken on the device will automatically upload to a private account, only accessible by the individual user and family they choose to enjoy, review at leisure, and keep indefinitely.
Returned devices are factory reset so as to not share any personal information. The iPad is then reloaded with apps and resources for the next individual and their family to use and enjoy.
Volunteers and staff are always available for clients or families who are in need of assistance or training using these devices. Please reach out to our office at 780-897-0066
Interested in loaning a device?
You can contact us by phone at: 780-897-0066
or email: [email protected]
About Us
At Grande Prairie Palliative Care Society, we support seniors, individuals and their families to receive compassionate programs, education, and advocacy to improve quality of life from diagnosis to dying and grieving.
- We are a voice for the community
- We are an ear to public need
- We are a hand in action