Home support is care provided in your home by Community Health Workers. Home support is for people who need extra help because they:
- Eligibility
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A Community Health Services clinician can help you determine if home support is the best option for your care needs. If home support is required, the Clinician will work with you to develop a personal care plan and adjust it as needed. If home support does not meet your needs, the Clinician will help you explore other support services available in your area.
If you do not have a Community Health Services clinician or Case Manager, please call the Community Health Services Access Line.
- Available Home Support Services
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Home support is a service provided to eligible Community Health Service clients. Depending on your assessed needs, home support provides a variety of assistance such as:
- Getting dressed, groomed, and ready for the day
- Bathing, showering, and using the toilet or commode
- Heating and serving a simple meal
- Getting ready for bed
Home support does not replace efforts to care for yourself with help from loved ones or your community.
Home support does not include help with general tasks such as grocery shopping, house cleaning, pet care, driving to appointments, or activities that require heavy lifting or climbing. You can find services like this in your community by searching sites such as: HealthLinkBC or Seniors Serving Senior.
- Home Support Team
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The Home Support Team consists of Community Health Workers, Home Support Nurses, and Schedulers. Your Home Support Team can be of different ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds. Community Health Workers provide your care by performing the tasks listed on your care plan.
Home Support Nurses train Community Health Workers and oversee the care they provide. From time to time, a Home Support Nurse will visit you to see if your care plan still fits your needs.
Home Support Schedulers set up all home support visits. You cannot schedule visits directly with your Community Health Worker.
- Scheduling of Services
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Unless required by your care plan (e.g., if you require medication at a set time or if you need help getting ready for an appointment), Community Health Workers do not visit at specific times. Instead they will arrive within a scheduled visiting time.
Your visit times depend on:
- Your care needs
- The number of clients in your area
- The distance your Community Health Worker has to travel between clients
Sometimes, your Community Health Workers will complete some of your care tasks, leave to assist other clients, and return to finish your care. If your care needs change, talk to your Community Health Services Clinician to explore available options and to alter your care plan to meet changing needs.
You can call the Home Support Scheduler if you need to make changes to your schedule. 24-hours’ notice is required to cancel a visit, or you may be billed for that visit.
- Cost of Home Support
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Home support is a government subsidized service. The amount you pay depends on your income. Your Community Health Services clinician will do a financial assessment with you to determine the cost.
To receive home support you need to share your financial information as part of the assessment and agree to pay the calculated rate. If needed, your Community Health Services clinician can help you explore alternative funding options.
- Start of Home Support Services
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The start of services is based on your care needs, urgency, and service availability.
