South Okanagan Similkameen
Community Resources
Health
Medical Organizations and Services
Advance Care Planning: My Voice
Expressing your wishes and instructions
for future health care treatment. By
planning ahead, you will have a voice
in your future decisions. Every capable
adult should make an advance care
plan. Download the provincial Advance
Care Planning Guide and workbook...
Alcohol & Drug Information &
Referral Service
Certified information and referral
specialists respond to enquiries on all
aspects of alcohol and drug use and
misuse. 24/7 multilingual service
1.800.663.1441
Allergy / Asthma Information
Association
Improve quality of life for those affected
by allergy, asthma and anaphylaxis
4730 Redridge Road, Kelowna
250.764.7507
1.877.500.2242
ALS Society of British Columbia
To meet physical & emotional needs of
ALS patients and their caregivers
1233-13351 Commerce Pkwy, Richmond
1.800.708.3228
Alzheimer Society of BC
Exists to alleviate the personal and social
consequences of Alzheimer’s disease
and related dementias
South Okanagan & Similkameen
Alzheimer Resource Centre
104-35 Backstreet Blvd., Penticton
250.493.8182 1.888.318.1122
1.800.936.6033 Dementia Helpline
Arthritis Society
Committed to excellence and leadership
in research, care, education and
advocacy for persons with arthritis
1.800.321.1433 Answers Line
• Penticton Arthritis Service
Penticton Regional Hospital
550 Carmi Avenue
250.492.4000 ext. 2286
BC Brain Injury Association
Provide a voice to promote a better
quality of life for those with acquired
brain injury: educate, prevent, support
1.877.858.1788 Maple Ridge
BC Cancer Agency Sindi Ahluwalia
Hawkins Centre for Southern Interior
Centre of cancer research, education,
prevention, diagnosis and treatment
399 Royal Avenue, Kelowna
250.712.3900 1.888.563.7773
• Screening Mammography
Information on the province’s breast
screening program for women 40 to 79
Penticton Regional Hospital
250.770.7573 Medical Imaging
1.800.663.9203 Book your screening
BC Epilepsy Society
Provides information and referral,
support services to people with epilepsy
604.875.6704 Vancouver
•
1.877.734.0873 Toronto
• Center for Epilepsy & Seizure
Education in British Columbia
Providing support, education,
information for those with epilepsy
32868 Ventura Avenue, Abbotsford
1.866.EPILEPSY
BC Lung Association
Comprehensive information on lung
diseases. Penticton Better Breathers
Club meetings have been suspended -
check web site for updates
1.800.665.5864 for more information
BC Schizophrenia Society
Community based association of people
who volunteer their time to help improve
those with serious mental illness & their
families. Support and education. Check
web site for support group information
205 Martin Street, Penticton
250.493.7338 10 am-2 pm Mon-Fri
BC Seniors’ Guide
Compilation of information & resources
to help us all plan for and live healthy
lifestyles as we age. Sections on
benefits, health, housing, transportation,
finances, safety & security. You can
download/print, read it online: Google
‘Seniors Guide BC’, or order a hard
copy. To order a free copy, contact the
Seniors Health Care Support Line,
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
1.877.952.3181
BrainTrust Canada
Community rehabilitation and support
for persons with brain injury, as well as a
strong focus on education & prevention
11-368 Industrial Avenue, Kelowna
250.762.3233 1.888.762.3233
CNIB
Seeing beyond vision loss
National community-based registered
charity committed to vision health
101-1456 St. Paul Street, Kelowna
250.763.1191 1.800.563.2642 Helpline
Canadian Cancer Society
Information, resources, support for
cancer patients & their families
Interior Regional Office, Capri Mall
• 202-1835 Gordon Drive, Kelowna
250.762.6381 1.800.403.8222
• 101-166 Main Street, Penticton
250.490.9681 Tues-Fri 10 am-4 pm
• 1.888.939.3333 Cancer Info Service
Canadian Cancer Society
• Southern Interior Rotary Lodge
2251 Abbott Street, Kelowna
250.712.2203
Home away from home facility for
cancer patients while accessing
treatment at Kelowna Cancer Centre.
•Freemason Volunteer Drivers provide
transportation from airport or bus depot
in Kelowna; pick-ups in Oliver, Penticton
Kaleden, Okanagan Falls, Summerland
Monday-Friday; 24 hour notice required
Freemason Volunteer Driver Program
1.800.299.0188
Canadian Institute for Health
Information (CIHI)
Not-for-profit organization providing
essential data & analysis on Canada’s
health system & the health of Canadians.
Sign up for Land - monthly e-newsletter
250.220.4100 Victoria
Canadian Liver Foundation
Dedicated to liver health and eliminating
the over 100 forms of liver disease
1.800.856.7266 Vancouver
1.800.563.5483 Here to Help
Canadian Mental Health Association
South Okanagan Similkameen branch
Programs include Advocacy, Consumer
Development, Meals, Support Services,
Housing Support Services
2852 Skaha Lake Road, Penticton
250.493.8999
1.800.555.8222 BC Division
1.800.661.2121 24 hour information line
Cerebral Palsy Association of BC
Information & referral, lending library,
newsletter, resource manuals, public
education, speakers bureau, bursaries
1.800.663.0004 Vancouver
Crisis Intervention & Suicide
Prevention Centre of BC
Non-profit, volunteer organization
committed to helping people help
themselves and others deal with crisis
1.800.SUICIDE (784.2433)
604.872.1234 Seniors Distress 24/7
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
Committed to curing Crohn’s, ulcerative
colitis and improving the lives of those
affected by these chronic diseases
1.800.513.8202 Regional Office
Denturist Association of BC
Everything you ever wanted to know
about dentures, and where you can find
a local denturist
604.886.1705
Dietitian Services
Specializes in nutrition information,
counselling and advice based on most
current scientific sources by registered
dietitians, 8 am-8 pm Mon-Thur., 8 am-5
pm Friday. Leave message after hours.
Translation services available
Dial 8-1-1 Dial 7-1-1 TTY
Medical Organizations and Services
Diabetes
• Canadian Diabetes Association
Research, education, services, advocacy
1589 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna
250.762.9447
1.800.226.8464 Information Line
See our Webinar ad on page 47
• Integrated Health Programs
For people with chronic diseases i.e.
diabetes, heart and/or kidney disease
Penticton Health Centre
740 Carmi Avenue
250.770.3530
1.800.707.8550
• South Okanagan Chronic Disease
Program for Oliver and Osoyoos
residents living with chronic diseases
such as diabetes, heart disease, etc.
Osoyoos Health Centre or
South Okanagan General Hospital
250.770.3530
1.800.707.8550
Healthy Eating for Seniors Handbook
Includes recipes, menu plans, info on
good nutrition. Access online or order
free by calling Healthlink BC
- search for
Healthy Eating for Seniors Handbook
Dial 8-1-1 Dial 7-1-1 TTY
Heart Health
• Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada
Supports cardiac rehabilitation,
advocacy of prevention and education
• Heart & Stroke Foundation
Promotes health through research,
education, services and advocacy
4-1551 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna
250.860.6275
1.866.432.7833
See our ad on page 82
• Integrated Health Programs
For people with chronic diseases i.e.
diabetes, heart and/or kidney disease.
Most services for heart health require
physician referral. Penticton Health
Centre, 740 Carmi Avenue
250.770.3530
1.800.707.8550
• South Okanagan Chronic Disease
Program for Oliver and Osoyoos
residents living with chronic diseases
such as diabetes, heart disease, etc.
Supervised Exercise/Cardiac Rehab
requires physician referral
Osoyoos Health Centre or
South Okanagan General Hospital
250.770.3530
1.800.707.8550
HealthLink BC
See web site for medically-approved
info on more than 5,000 health topics,
symptoms, medications, and tips for
maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Call to
speak to a nurse 24/7. Weekdays speak
to a dietitian about nutrition, healthy
eating. Pharmacists available 5pm to
9am every day. Translation services
available - in more than 130 languages
Dial 8-1-1 Dial 7-1-1 TTY
Kidney Foundation of Canada
Volunteer organization committed to
reducing the burden of kidney disease
SouthOkanagan
1.800.567.8112 Burnaby
Lupus Society
Provide education, support to people
affected by lupus; create awareness;
support advances: treatment & research
1.866.585.8787 for more information
• Kelowna Support Group
250.764.1234 Debra
Medic Alert Foundation
Emergency medical info services. One
of three Canadians have a condition
paramedics need to know about
1.800.668.1507
Medical Services Plan
Together with PharmaCare, provides
medical & drug coverage to all eligible
British Columbians; online services...
1.800.663.7100 Automated 24/7 service
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
South Okanagan-Similkameen Chapter
Information, support counselling, referral
and advocacy services to persons with
MS and their families
3373 Skaha Lake Road, Penticton
250.493.6564
Muscular Dystrophy Canada
Volunteers and staff raise funds and
work hard to support the independence
and full participation of those with
neuromuscular disorders. See web site
for link to Facebook page for South
Okanagan chapter
1.800.366.8166 Vancouver
OK in Health
A community web site specializing in
everything to do with health & wellness
in the Okanagan.Support groups posted,
wellness events, workshops, articles,
local practitioners, contests & newsletter
250.493.0106
Osteoporosis Canada
Works to educate, empower, support
individuals & communities in the
prevention & treatment of osteoporosis.
For support group near you, or to create
a group in your community, contact
• Kelowna Chapter
250.861.6880 Trish Gunning
Pacific Blue Cross
Health, dental, life, disability, and travel
insurance
1.800.873.2583 Vancouver
Parkinson Society British Columbia
Address the personal and social
consequences of Parkinson’s Disease
See Support Group info in Resources
section:Support Groups/Self Help pg 77
1.800.668.3330
Patient Care Quality Office
Interior Health Authority
220-1815 Kirschner Road, Kelowna
1.877.442.2001
PharmaCare
Provides financial assistance to BC
residents for eligible prescription drugs
and designated medical supplies
1.800.663.7100
Prostate Cancer Canada Network
Help individuals, their families
understand, cope with prostate cancer,
provide up to date medical information
and individual support; see Resource
section, Support Groups/Self Help for
Kelowna support group info on page 76
1.855.722.4636 Information Service
Seniors Health Care Support Line
Seniors who have issues accessing
health care services or with the health
care they received, can call to receive
timely resolution of problems. Call
Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
1.877.952.3181
South Okanagan Similkameen Brain
Injury Society
Services for individuals with an
acquired brain injury (ABI), including
stroke, to maximize their quality of life.
Education and prevention promotion;
helmet awareness
2-996 Main Street, Penticton
250.490.0613
See our ad and our ‘Falls Prevention’
article on page 18
Spinal Cord Injury BC
Assist people with spinal cord injury or
related physical disabilities
1.800.689.2477 SCI Bc InfoLine
250.859.3581 Regional contact, Peer
Program Coordinator, Kelowna