If I have a chronic condition, such as arthritis or have had a stroke, how can I stay in my home as long as possible?

People rely on their families for support and their needs may increase as they age or develop a chronic condition.

Talk to the people closest to you and share your feelings. Suggest how they might assist you with your chronic condition.

Use the resources offered in your community to learn about your chronic condition; learn about current and new treatments and attend support groups.

Talk to your family doctor or specialist about what treatment is best for you.

When you need more help than your family and the community can provide, you may be eligible for the services of Home and Community Care.

Home and Community Care is committed to promoting the well-being, dignity and independence of clients and their families. Services aim to supplement and complement (but not replace) the care provided by individuals, families and communities.

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I want to remain in my own home for as long as possible, but I can no longer clean my home, care for my yard or get to the grocery store. What should I do?

Home and Community Care does not provide services such as cleaning, housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation, banking, transportation services or yard maintenance.

Consider the following options:

• Enlist the help of your family, friends and neighbours as well as community services such as grocery shopping and delivery.
• Find out about Volunteer Services available in your community.
• Consider having meals delivered to your home.
• Hire someone for heavy cleaning and other home services like yard maintenance.
• Find out if you have insurance that may offset your costs.

Contact the Home and Community Care office in your area where they may be able to direct you to agencies that offer these services in your community.

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I want to remain in my own home for as long as possible, but I can no longer do activities of daily living safely.  What should I do?

Home and Community Care case managers assist adults who have a chronic health related problem to maintain and promote their independence.

With assistance from you and your family, the case manager will assess your needs using a standardized assessment form and develop a plan to meet the identified needs. The case manager will make recommendations about what your family may do to supplement the services that Home and Community Care can offer and what community resources are available to meet your needs.

Where possible, services are arranged to enable you to remain in your own home.

Home and Community Care home support services can provide some assistance to eligible clients with personal care tasks and activities of daily living.

A community health worker can assist you with:

• personal care such as bathing
• medication assistance and reminders
• end of life care
• support and respite for caregivers
• monitoring and reporting of your health

Home and Community Care community rehabilitation services provide occupational therapy and physiotherapy to individuals who require in-home rehabilitation.

These professionals might assist with the following:

• assessment and recommendation of medical equipment and home adaptations
• instruction in the use of mobility and bathroom safety aids and other medical equipment
• instruction to clients and family on exercise regimes, pain control and chest care for lung conditions
• assessment and referral to other community groups or health care workers

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What is the difference between Home Care and Home Support?

Home Care refers to the whole range of services that Home and Community Care provides. Home Support is one of those services. 

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What is a Home and Community Care needs assessment?

The services that you are eligible for are determined using standard forms and criteria. The same methods are used with every client to ensure the need for services are assessed and delivered fairly.

The assessment is done by a Health Care Professional who may ask you about:

• your health history and current health issues
• your ability to cope with your health care issues
• permission to contact your family, your doctor and others involved in your care
• what medications you take
• how you manage activities of daily living such as eating and dressing
• your family and social supports such as friendships, churches and groups you belong to
• your income.

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Will I be charged for these services?

For eligible clients, there is no fee for some Home and Community Care services such as nursing or rehabilitation. There may be a cost for some equipment or supplies. 

Occasionally costs may be covered by the Insurance Corporation of BC, WorkSafe BC or other agencies.

If home support, facility placement, assisted living or other services are required, a standardized financial assessment will be done to determine if there will be a cost to you.

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If I have a health issue that I cannot deal with, what help is there for me?

Whenever possible, your health care professional will teach you to manage your own health, in consultation with your doctor and in some cases, a home care nurse.

Home care nurses provide professional nursing services to eligible individuals.

Their services may include:

• Direct nursing care (such as wound care). You may be asked to come to a clinic for some of these procedures.
• Education to help you manage your specific health issues.
• Care and support of the terminally ill and their caregivers.

As part of their role in providing care, nurses provide supportive counseling and assessment and referral to appropriate community resources.

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If I can no longer remain in my own home, what are my options?

Home and Community Care services are not intended to replace residential facility care for people who can no longer live safely and independently at home.

When family support, private resources and Home and Community Care resources are no longer enough for you, a case manager will provide you with options based on your care needs.

Options include the following:

• Private Care Homes
• Assisted Living - private or subsidized
• Residential Care - private or subsidized

Your case manager will help you explore options with respect to your personal needs, preferences and financial means.

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How do I choose which residential care facility is best for me?

It is important to speak to your family and your case manager about which residential care facility is best for you.

It is advisable that you tour prospective facilities. Tours need to be scheduled in advance with the residential care facility staff.

You should consider the following:

• Your geographic location.
• What your personal needs are.
• What activities the residential care facility can provide.

In situations where a client is eligible for, and has been assessed as needing publicly funded residential care, a "first available bed" policy is in place.

This means that following assessment, clients are required to accept the first appropriate bed that becomes available within the local health services geographic area.

Clients can still request and be waitlisted for their first choice facility, but initially must accept the first appropriate bed or unit that becomes available.

There is more information available on the Facility Access page.

The Ministry of Health website has a booklet called "Choosing a Care Facility or Home" which may be helpful:
http://www.hls.gov.bc.ca/ccf/publications/com031.pdf

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