|
The services clients are eligible for are based on a standard assessment of needs and, depending on the service, may be subsidized according to income or provided at no cost. Services may be provided on a short or long term basis and may change as the clients' needs change.
Together, clients, family and home care professionals create a plan to help clients live safely and comfortably at home and prevent unnecessary hospital visits.
Home and Community Care also acts as a bridge between home and other care settings. These settings may include hospital, residential care, assisted living, a doctor's office or other primary care setting.
The Home and Community Care Service Agreement (PDF) is completed when service starts. It outlines the roles and responsibilities in the partnership between the client and care providers.
Due to population size and geographic remoteness, not all services are available in every community. In communities where services are limited, every effort is made to accommodate clients' care needs.
Nurses assist individuals to manage their own care at home by providing nursing assessment, education, counseling and medical and surgical care.
Nursing services may also be provided to clients through Nursing Clinics in some communities.
Examples of Service:
- skin and wound care management
- palliative care
- medication management
- cardiac health
- pre and post surgical care
- intravenous therapy
- management of chronic conditions
top of page
Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists promote and help maintain independence and safety at home through assessment, treatment, consultation and education.
Examples of Service:
- home safety assessment
- pain management
- skin and wound care and wound prevention
- cardio-respiratory care
- palliative care
- functional activity re-training
- perceptual and cognitive testing
- basic splinting and seating
- pre and post surgical care
- home modification consultation
- specialized exercise programs
- energy conservation
- basic assessment of swallowing difficulties
top of page
Registered Dietitians support development and maintenance of optimal nutritional health through assessment, consultation and education.
Health issues that Registered Dietitians may help address include:
- diabetes
- swallowing disorders
- malnutrition
- palliative care
- healing of surgical wounds and pressure ulcers
- post surgical care
- tube feedings
- gastro-intestinal diseases
- chronic disease such as cancer, kidney disease
top of page
Social Workers provide counselling and social work services to promote the safety and well being of clients and/or significant others. The focus is on short term health care crisis intervention.
Issues that social workers may help address include:
- adjustment to illness
- housing problems
- placement issues
- caregiver issues
- suspected abuse or neglect
- financial assistance
- palliative care/bereavement
- confusion/dementia behaviour management
- relationship issues
- conflict resolution and mediation
- advocacy
top of page
Case Management in the Community
Home and Community Care supports elderly clients and adults with chronic health conditions to live independently in their own home for as long as possible. Clients are assisted in moving to more supportive care when required. Through a comprehensive assessment, case management helps clients identify and address their care needs. Case Management also assist clients and families to understand their care options and link to appropriate services.
Case Management in the Hospital
Home and Community Care works with clients and families to enable a smooth transition between hospital and home or residential care settings. Case Management
assists clients and families to understand their care options and link to appropriate services.
Examples of services case management provides access to:
- all Home and Community Care services
- subsidized home support
- adult day programs
- caregiver support and
- subsidized Assisted Living
- subsidized Residential Care Facilities
- subsidized short stay in Residential Care Facilities for caregiver respite
top of page
Depending on a client's income level and the home support services they require, the cost of some services may be subsidized. These subsidized services are arranged by Home and Community Care professionals.
Home Support services are intended to supplement rather than replace clients' efforts to care for themselves, with the assistance of family, friends and community.
Community health workers provide personal assistance with things like medications, bathing, dressing and caregiver support.
The client and home care professional decide together how much and what type of help is required. The care plan will be reviewed on a regular basis. As needs change, service may be adjusted.
top of page
CSIL offers funding for eligible clients who need assistance with personal care to manage their own home supports.
The Case Manager, in collaboration with the client, determines the funding amount based on personal care needs. Clients who meet the eligibility for self-managed care enter into a contractual agreement with VIHA. They take on responsibility for recruiting, hiring, training, retaining, disciplining and, if necessary, dismissing their own caregivers. Clients become the employer with all the related responsibilities and must adhere to the Canada Revenue Agency, WorkSafe BC, and Employment Standards regulations. Regular financial reports must be submitted to ensure funds are being used appropriately.
As with subsidized home supports, CSIL is intended to supplement rather than replace the client's efforts to care for themselves, with the assistance of family, friends and community. Funding levels may be adjusted as care needs change.
More information about CSIL can be found on the Ministry of Health website at: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/hcc/csil.html.
top of page
Adult day centres and other community programs such as bathing programs, provide opportunities to stay connected to your community through social, recreation and wellness activities. They can also give family caregivers a break to rest, reconnect with others or run errands.
More about Adult Day Programs
top of page
The Assisted Living Program provides appropriate, affordable housing options with in-home supports for seniors and people with disabilities.
More about Assisted Living
top of page
The Brain Injury Program supports individuals with Acquired Brain Injury to live in the community. Services are arranged in collaboration with appropriate VIHA departments and community agencies.
More about the Brain Injury Program
top of page
Residential Care Facility admissions are arranged by Case Managers based on care needs and urgency using a standardized set of criteria and forms. The same methods are used to determine the needs of every client to ensure fairness and equality.
More about Residential Care
top of page
The Quick Response Team provides crisis intervention at home to eligible clients when required.
top of page
RRAD provides short term, intensive service to individuals with complex disabilities.
top of page
|