Updates and Information for VHA’s Valued Clients and Families
Issue 79, October 2025
Community Support Month: Celebrating VHA’s Homemakers and Nurses Services (HMNS) Program
October is Community Support Month in Ontario, a time to celebrate the essential programs that help more than one million Ontarians live safely and independently at home. From personal care and homemaking to caregiver support and community connections, these services are vital to the well-being of individuals and families across the province.
Preparing for Influenza and Respiratory Virus Season
From early September through late March or early April, illnesses like influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are especially common. As the days get cooler and we spend more time indoors, these viruses find more opportunities to spread. Close contact and shared spaces make it easier for germs to pass from person to person, and cold, dry air can make it harder for our bodies to fight infections.
While many cases can be managed at home, these viruses can cause serious complications for young children, older adults and people living with chronic health conditions. Prepping your home and adopting healthy habits now can help you stay safer throughout the season.
Meet VHA Occupational Therapist Deborah Spivak: Small Moments, Big Impact
When you ask VHA’s Deborah Spivak what she loves most about being an occupational therapist, her answer is simple: “I love making a difference.”
For nearly three decades, Deborah has been doing just that, helping people regain independence, adapt to challenges and continue doing the things that make life meaningful. Whether showing a client how to adjust to hand weakness, access a local meal delivery program or enjoy a hobby that was previously out of reach, Deborah’s dedication and care have left a lasting impact.
In the News: How VHA Home HealthCare is using DEI data to track metrics, inform organizational practices
In the midst of the current backlash against the very concept of diversity, equity and inclusion, VHA is reinforcing its decades-long focus on developing an inclusive workplace culture.
“Our commitment to DEI is central to our people strategy, so we’re not backing away, but rather continuing to emphasize and double down on our strategies,” says Kelley Myers, VP, Human Resources and Organizational Development and Chief HR Officer.
That commitment is organized into four pillars in VHA’s DEI action plan: policy, communication, education and training. Policy and communication are focused on critically looking at the organization’s policies, says Myers, and then, where necessary, it rolls out related education and training.
Are you registered for our myVHA Client Portal?
Have you joined myVHA yet? Designed with our client's needs in mind, the myVHA Client Portal is secure and simple to use. Anytime, from anywhere, find your schedule in real time, cancel visits, message your coordination team and more!
Registering for myVHA is easy. If you’re a VHA client receiving personal support services, shift nursing services, or visiting one of VHA’s nursing clinics, you’re eligible to use the portal. All you will need is your date of birth and health card number to validate your identify on the registration at https://myvha.vha.ca/auth/register. Once successfully validated, you will have full access to the service.
To learn more about the portal, please visit www.vha.ca/myvha. If you encounter any issues feel free to email a member of our myVHA Support Team at myvha@vha.ca.
VHA Home HealthCare’s New Interprofessional Collaboration Competency Framework: A Guide for Homecare Teams in Ontario
As the healthcare landscape in Ontario continues to move towards a more integrated system, interprofessional collaboration (IPC) has become increasingly vital to delivering high-quality, person-centred care. This is especially important in home healthcare where providers often work independently. In support of this need, researchers and clinical leaders at VHA developed the Interprofessional Collaboration Competency (IPCC) Framework. The framework offers a clear model for others in the sector that highlights what is required for care providers to work effectively together.
