GOVERNMENT-SUBSIDIZED HOME CARE
How Government-subsidized home care is organized and administered
Home support services are designed to help clients remain independent and in their own home as long as possible. Home care services include professional health care services as well as personal care services such as bathing, dressing, grooming and light household tasks that help to maintain a safe and supportive home.
To apply for subsidized home care a senior must contact his/her local Health Authority. The Health Authority will conduct an assessment. If home support assistance is recommended, a case manager will help the client determine the assistance that will best suit their needs and will make the necessary arrangements.
Eligibility/Requirements for Admission
To be eligible for services such as home care nursing, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, clients must:
- be a resident of British Columbia,
- be a Canadian Citizen or have permanent resident status and
- require care following discharge from an acute care hospital, care at home rather than hospitalization or care because of a life-threatening illness.
To be eligible for subsidized services such as home support and adult day care centres, clients must:
- be 19 years of age or older,
- be a resident of British Columbia,
- be a Canadian Citizen or have permanent resident status, and
- be unable to function independently because of chronic, health-related problems or have been diagnosed by a doctor with a life-threatening illness.
Income/Asset Test
During the assessment, the case manager from the Health Authority may ask to see war veteran and pension cheque stubs as well as the client's most recent income tax return or notice of assessment as there may be a daily charge, depending on income.
Costs
Case management, nursing and rehabilitation services are provided free of charge. There may be a daily charge for home support services, depending on income (for most clients, there is no charge).
PRIVATE HOME CARE
Health Authority resources are limited and go to the neediest. As a result, many seniors get inadequate amounts of Health Authority services and have to rely on private home care services to receive the appropriate amount of care.
Costs of Private Home Care