Do you play a part in supporting someone’s health and well-being?
If so, you might be an essential care partner.
To learn more, take the Caregiving in Partnership with Fraser Health online course.
An essential care partner is someone who supports another person while they use Fraser Health services. You might be a spouse, partner, daughter, son, parent, friend, paid caregiver or roommate –and we think of you as an essential care partner. The help you provide will depend on the needs of the person you support.
As an essential care partner, you play an important part in the health care experience of the person you support. For example, you might:
- Share information about the person’s values and beliefs, and what matters to them
- Take notes at a medical appointment
- Help with personal care activities such as dressing
- Drive the person to medical appointments
- Provide comfort during a hospital stay
- Offer encouragement
- Confirm medications being taken or medical history
- Take part in planning to leave the hospital
Essential care partners improve the health care experience.
As an essential care partner, you are welcome in Fraser Health facilities all day, every day.
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How is your role as an essential care partner different from the role of a visitor?
You are part of the care team. You participate in the care of the person you support.
People who visit, spend time socially. They are not members of the care team. The needs of the person and the care environment will affect when people can visit. -
Steps you can take as an essential care partner
- Become familiar with the Essential Care Partner and Visitor Policy
- Talk about the essential care partner role with the person you support
- Ask them how they would like you to be involved in their care
- Introduce yourself to staff as an essential care partner
- If there is more than one essential care partner, decide who will be the main contact for health care staff
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Resources