What is home and community care?
If you are a caregiver and the person in your care prefers to stay at home but requires additional support and continuing care to do so, then home and community care services may be what you are looking for.
Home and community care services can be administered wherever they are needed. Care can be provided in the home, at a hospice, or in a retirement home to name a few.
Health care professionals with specialized knowledge in areas such as the care of older adults, rehabilitation therapies, and personal support services are available to support the person in your care.
Types of home and community care services and resources
The person you are caring for may have access to a wide range of home and community care services and resources including:
- Specialized medical equipment and supplies
- Adult day programs
- Chronic disease management
- Friendly visiting
- Mental health support
- Nursing care
- Nutrition counselling
- Occupational therapy and home adaptations
- Palliative and end-of-life care
- Personal care (e.g., help with bathing, dressing, and feeding)
- Physiotherapy
- Respite (temporary relief from caregiving responsibilities)
- Social work (to help with, for eg., finances, housing, future planning, and relationship issues)
- Speech therapy
- Transportation to appointments
- Wound care
How can I access home and community care services?
Home and community care services are flexible, convenient, and customized to your needs and your schedule. Some nursing and personal support services are even available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Talk to a health care professional or contact a local home and community care company to inquire about what services are available and the process for receiving them. Some provincial health care plans may cover certain services however, payment or supplemental insurance coverage may be required for other services.
Nursing and mental health care