What is Home Care?
Many people needing health care services prefer to stay close to family and friends in a familiar and comfortable environment, rather than moving into an assisted living or long-term care home.
Home care allows individuals living with health conditions to receive care in the comfort of their home with the help of health care providers and their caregiver.
Who provides home care?
Home care services are funded publicly (typically no personal costs) and privately (paid additional services).
Publicly-funded home care services are offered by provinces and territories. Individuals must qualify to receive these supports. While all provinces and territories offer home care services, coverage may vary.
Private-pay home care services are provided by for-profit home care agencies. These services are offered to those needing additional care that is paid-out-of-pocket.
Why is care provided in homes?
There are many reasons for someone to require home care services. Home care programs can help people recover from short-term (acute) conditions, manage long-term (chronic) conditions, and deliver specialized services such as end-of-life care.
FOR EXAMPLE
- Individuals who have been recently hospitalized with an illness and have not fully recovered.
- Individuals with a medical issue their doctor would like to treat in the community to avoid hospitalization.
- Individuals that require support with personal care to remain in their home.
