What is home and community care?
In the Canadian health care system, home and community care services help people receive care at home, rather than in a hospital or nursing home, and to live as independently as possible in their community. Health care professionals (e.g., nurses, social workers) and non-professionals (e.g., personal care workers), volunteers, friends and family caregivers all play a role in home and community care.
Who makes it happen?
In Canada, provincial, territorial, and some municipal governments as well as charitable organizations, deliver most home and community care services. The services and their costs vary from province to province. The federal government is responsible for home care services to many First Nations and Inuit communities, members of the armed forces and the RCMP, federal inmates, and eligible veterans.
What are the services?
Services delivered in the home can help people with minor health problems and disabilities as well as people who need intensive services and equipment. Depending on where you live, home care services may include:
- Nursing
- Personal care such as help with bathing, dressing, and feeding
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Social work
- Dietitian services
- Homemaking
- Respite services
Other services available in the community, such as day programs for people with Alzheimer's disease, Meals on Wheels, or friendly visitor programs, also help maintain or improve the health of Canadians.
How do the services help?
Home and community care:
- Helps people maintain or improve their health status and quality of life
- Assists people in remaining as independent as possible
- Supports families in coping with a family member's need for care
- Helps people stay at or return home and receive needed treatment, rehabilitation or palliative care
- Provides family caregivers with the support they need
How do I find the services I need?
Procedures for obtaining home and community care services vary from province to province. For information to help you find home and community care services in your community, click here.
Adapted from Health Canada
www.hc-sc.gc.ca