What Are The Benefits Of Aging At Home
Theres no place like home. Many seniors, whether they need short term or long term care, prefer remaining in a place most familiar to them their home. By removing elderly loved ones from their home we often take away years of memories, relationships with neighbors and communities which can leave them sad, unhappy and isolated. Aging at home can be made easy, by understanding their needs and by providing the right home health care services.
Types Of Health Care Assistance Programs
Exploring government health care assistance options can be a daunting task. States and local governments run these programs, often under a variety of names and departments. And program eligibility requirements and health care services differ from state-to-state as well.
If you are just beginning to find out about government health care assistance programs, contact your countys Office of Public Assistance or Social Services. A case worker will describe what programs are available, and the eligibility requirements and health care services offered for each one.
Examples Of What The Home Health Staff Should Do:
- Check what youre eating and drinking.
- Check your blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and breathing.
- Check that youre taking your prescription and other drugs and any treatments correctly.
- Ask if youre having pain.
- Check your safety in the home.
- Teach you about your care so you can take care of yourself.
- Coordinate your care. This means they must communicate regularly with you, your doctor, and anyone else who gives you care.
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My Dad Is Being Discharged From The Hospital What Kind Ofhelp Can He Expect
When it comes time for your parent to leave the hospital, their care team, which may include a Home and Community Care Support Services care coordinator, will determine if in-home or community supports are needed for a successful discharge. This may include services such as nursing, personal support, medication management, rehabilitation and many others. Visit our Home Care page and Community Care page to learn more.
How To Access Government Programs For The Elderly
Access to assistance is as close as your computer or smartphone, and, in most cases, you can apply online. Start by visiting the following two websites that can help determine which of the above programs you and your loved one may be eligible for as well as any others that might be unique to your area.
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The Purpose Of The Program And How It Works
Established in 2000, the NFCSP provides grants to states and territories, based on their share of the population age 70 and over, to fund a range of supports that assist family and informal caregivers to care for their loved ones at home for as long as possible.
NFCSP grantees provide five types of services:
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information to caregivers about available services
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assistance to caregivers in gaining access to the services
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individual counseling, organization of support groups, and caregiver training
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respite care and
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supplemental services, on a limited basis
These services work in conjunction with other state and community-based services to provide a coordinated set of supports. Studies have shown that these services can reduce caregiver depression, anxiety, and stress as well as enable caregivers to provide care longer, thereby avoiding or delaying the need for costly institutional care.
Theme Five: Informal Support Networks
Finally, it emerged that DF home care, whether through an agency or the individual employer model, is predominantly possible only for those who have additional help from a co-residing spouse or family member, or extensive involvement from unpaid family and friends. Julia, who moved her mother into her home, described the network available to her mother: There’s four of us in the household so there’s always someone that can be with grandma. But if we had to pay for those hours we’d never, ever have enough . Bryce, who organized care for himself, spoke about his wifes help and his extensive network of family and friends:
Bryce: she does a large percentage of the work. I do have two adult children who help. But all of our parents are alive, and my wifes mother in particular is a huge help to us. And then, I have siblings, we even have a neighbour who takes care of our driveway in the winter, which is amazing. And, yeah, a really nice network of family help.
The focus groups took place during the pandemic, and some described how working at home enabled using DF home care:
Albert had moved for employment and was struggling to meet the care needs for his wife who was living with multiple sclerosis. Alberts sleep, mental, and physical health were all impacted by the demands of care:
While perhaps not unique to DF home care, a solid, and perhaps extensive, informal support network is required to provide enough support for most people.
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What Types Of Home Care Services Do You Offer
Once you have been assessed as eligible for our services, a care coordinator will work with you to determine which services would best support your health and well-being at home or in the community. Visit our Care Coordination page to learn more about the important role care coordinators play in Ontarios health care system. You can also visit our Home Care page for more information about services.
Homemaker And Personal Care Services
Home health agencies offer homemaker and personal care services that can be purchased without a physician’s order. Homemaker services include help with meal preparation and household chores. Personal care includes help with bathing and dressing. Agencies do not have to be approved by Medicare to provide these kinds of services.
Find a Medicare-certified home health agency in your area.
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Check If You Qualify For Government
Your case manager will determine if you qualify.
If you dont qualify, you may be able to receive services through community agencies, which may require a co-payment.
You can arrange and pay for services through a private company. Your local Home and Community Care Support Services organization can help you find services in your community.
What Are The Different Types Of Home
Home-based long-term care includes health, personal, and support services to help people stay at home and live as independently as possible. Most long-term care is provided either in the home of the person receiving services or at a family member’s home. In-home services may be short-termfor someone who is recovering from an operation, for exampleor long-term, for people who need ongoing help.
Most home-based services involve personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing, and taking medications, and supervision to make sure a person is safe. Unpaid family members, partners, friends, and neighbors provide most of this type of care.
Are you a long-distance caregiver? See When It’s Time to Leave Home.
Home-based long-term care services can also be provided by paid caregivers, including caregivers found informally, and healthcare professionals such as nurses, home health care aides, therapists, and homemakers, who are hired through home health care agencies. These services include: home health care, homemaker services, friendly visitor/companion services, and emergency response systems.
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How Your Snap Benefits Work
- Your state will issue benefits each month on a plastic electronic benefits transfer card. Much like a credit or debit card, you can use your EBT card to buy eligible food items. You must buy them from:
What help is available through Medicaid?
Medicaid provides free or low-cost medical benefits to eligible:
- Adults with a low income
- People who are age 65 or over
- People with disabilities
Am I eligible for Medicaid?
Check with your states Medicaid office to see if you or your family members are eligible for benefits. In general, it depends on at least one or a combination of:
- Number of people in your family
- If you are pregnant or have a disability
How do I apply for Medicaid?
There are two ways to apply for Medicaid:
- Contact your state Medicaid agency. You must be a resident of the state where you are applying for benefits.
- Fill out an application through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Who Are The Contracted Providers Delivering Care
Six large organizations hold primary contracts with BC health authorities. Several others hold smaller contracts and are sometimes referred to as surge providers.
Contracted providers must meet very high standards. For example, they must be accredited by an approved third-party, such as Accreditation Canada or CARF they must participate in regular audits and they are required to adhere to all policies and guidelines within the B.C.s Home and Community Care Policy Manual.
Contracted providers can either be for-profit or non-profit organizations.
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How Do I Arrange For Home Support Services
If you are interested in receiving home support services or know of someone who might be in need of these services, you can contact the home and community care office of your health authority or you can have a health care profession make a referral on your behalf.
For contact information and a detailed description of how to arrange for home support services, please see:
What Is Home Care
- Home Care is publicly funded personal and healthcare services for clients of all ages living in a private residence or other setting, such as suites in a retirement residence
- Home Care helps people remain well, safe and independent in their home for as long as possible
- Home Care philosophy promotes client independence, and supplements care and supports provided by families and community services
- In addition, clients may be eligible for basic housekeeping services for a fee
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What Should I Expect From My Home Health Care
- Doctors orders are needed to start care. Once your doctor refers you for home health services, the home health agency will schedule an appointment and come to your home to talk to you about your needs and ask you some questions about your health.
- The home health agency staff will also talk to your doctor about your care and keep your doctor updated about your progress.
- Its important that home health staff see you as often as the doctor ordered.
Therapeutic And Professional Services
Professional staff at the RHAs provides a range of therapeutic and professional services in a variety of settings which support persons with disabilities. Specific referrals and eligibility criteria must be met to access some services. Staff may include social workers, nurses, behavioural and child management specialists, dieticians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and laboratory technicians.
For more information on accessing this service contact your regional health authority
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Types Of Services In Your Community
Many communities have services just for seniors and other people who may need support to continue living independently at home. You may have to pay a fee for some of these programs or you may find there is funding available. Some of these services are offered only in larger communities. You can find:
- adult day programs including social, fitness and other healthy activities
- transportation services for people who dont have public transportation or need help to use it
- community hospice services including counselling, support groups, yoga and art classes, grief support
- residential hospices where end-of-life care is provided in a home-like environment for those who can no longer stay in their own homes. People in residential hospices receive a wide range of palliative services to keep them comfortable.
Making Decisions About Long
Begin by thinking about what would happen if you became seriously ill or disabled. Talk with your family, friends, and lawyer about who would provide care if you needed help for a long time. Read about how to prepare healthcare advance directives.
You might delay or prevent the need for long-term care by staying healthy and independent. Talk to your doctor about your medical and family history and lifestyle. He or she may suggest actions you can take to improve your health.
Healthy eating, regular physical activity, not smoking, and limited drinking of alcohol can help you stay healthy. So can an active social life, a safe home, and regular health care.
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Im Looking For Information On Applyingfor Long
The first step is to get in touch with us by calling 310-2222 . A care coordinator will advise you about your options and support you as you make this important decision which includes completing an assessment to help determine eligibility, guiding you through the application process and providing other valuable information. Visit our Long-Term Care page to learn more.
Provincial Home Support Program
Home support services include the provision of personal and behavioural supports, household management and respite at the minimum level to maintain individual independence. Home support services are intended to supplement, not replace, service provided by the individual family and/or support network. Services are non-professional in nature and are delivered by an approved home support agency or by a home support worker hired by the individual or family.
Home support services may be either purchased privately by an individual or subsidized from public funds to a maximum financial ceiling. Referral for publicly funded home support service is through the Regional Health Authority and can be initiated by anyone, including the individual who is requiring service. To be eligible for a financial subsidy, the individual must undergo a functional and financial assessment by professional staff from the regional health authority.
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Special Assistance Program Medical Equipment And Supplies
The Special Assistance Program is a provincial program which provides basic medical supplies and equipment to assist with activities of daily living for individuals living in the community who meet the eligibility criteria for the program. Benefits of the program include:
- Medical supplies ,
- Oxygen and related equipment and supplies,
- Orthotics such as braces and burn garments, and
- Equipment such as wheelchairs, commodes or walkers.
For more information on accessing this service contact your regional health authority
Learn More About Supportive Living
The Alberta government sets provincial accommodation standards, and monitors compliance to the standards through annual site inspections.
Supportive living operators must be licensed if they:
- provide accommodation and support services for 4 or more individuals
- provide or arrange for services related to safety and security
- offer or arrange for at least one meal a day or housekeeping services
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Designated Supportive Living Is Different From Other Supportive Living
Access
AHS determines access to designated supportive living spaces and requires individuals to be assessed by a health professional to determine their health needs. Access to other types of supportive living is determined by the operator.
Accommodation charges
The maximum accommodation charge in designated supportive living and long-term care is set by the Alberta government. In other types of supportive living, the accommodation charge or rent is set by the operator.
Care
All designated supportive living accommodations provide 24-hour publicly funded health and personal care support on-site. In other types of supportive living, accommodations have varying levels of health and support services available on-site.
How Do I Access Home Care
You can speak to someone about Home Care by calling Continuing Care at the toll-free number, . If you require an assessment for Home Care, a Care Coordinator will arrange a time to meet with you to complete the assessment. The assessment will determine what care services you are eligible to receive based on your needs. Home Care adds to the help you currently have in your community. It does not replace existing care.
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Department Of Health And Social Care
Department of Health and Social Care staff with pre-release access to the statistics are:
- Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
- Private secretary to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
- Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Primary Care and Public Health
- Private secretary to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Primary Care and Public Health
- Special adviser
- Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Health Improvement
- Head of office and senior private secretary to the Chief Medical Officer
- Director general, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
- Media relations officer
The Home Office staff with pre-release access to the statistics are staff from:
- Drug Misuse Unit
- Drugs, Exploitation and Abuse Analysis Unit
- Joint Combating Drugs Unit
Will I Have To Wait To Get Service
Every effort is made to provide the services you need quickly. Sometimes the demand for Home Care is so great in some areas, you may be placed on a wait list. If you are placed on a wait list, your Care Coordinator will keep you informed of your status. If your situation changes while you are on a wait list, you will need to let your Care Coordinator know so your needs can be updated.
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Home Care Assistance Program
If you are a disabled adult, the Home Care Assistance Program, may be able to provide homemaking services to maintain your independence at home.
Homemaking Services are defined as direct help with meal preparation, grocery shopping, medication pickup, laundry and light housekeeping .Homemaking Services are provided either by an agency or a person of your choosing. maintain your independence at home. After applying and being found eligible through MRC Connect, your information will be forwarded to the Home Care Assistance Program where you will be assigned a Case Manager. HCAP Case Managers develop service plans, coordinate services with an agency or the individual you select to assist you, and give you information about other resources you may need to live independently.
