Provincial and territorial governments across Canada provide publicly funded home care/home support programs. The federal government funds the Veterans Independence Program, through Veterans Affairs Canada, and the First Nations Adult Care Program, through the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) and Health Canada.

Steps to Take

• Contact the government agency that delivers home care programs in your area.
• Arrange for an assessment of the care recipient's needs and eligibility for services. The assessment will take into account:
  • the care recipient's health status
  • the available caregiver network
  • the home environment
  • Any other relevant factors
• If the care recipient meets the eligibility requirements for government-funded home care, ask the person assigned to the case to develop a care plan outlining
  • the services needed
  • the services that can be provided
  • the extent to which the services are covered
  • which services you will have to pay for
  • any conditions relating to the provision of services
  • who will provide the services
  • Recommendations to community agencies that may be able to provide the services that are not covered.
• Find out if the case manager makes all the arrangements or if you have to contact any individual agencies and organizations yourself.

• If the care recipient and/or caregiver is not eligible for government home care, or if the required services are not government funded, look into community home care programs or consider hiring a private care agency or individual.

Locating Community Home Care Programs

Community agencies and organizations offer a wide range of home care/home support services for care recipients and caregivers.

Steps to Take

• Ask family members, friends and co-workers for recommendations.
• Ask for a referral from a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, social worker or other health professional.
• Contact local community agencies and organizations. If they do not actually provide the required services, they may be able to provide information and referrals.
  • neighborhood community centres
  • seniors centres
  • associations for community living
  • independent living centres
  • churches, synagogues, religious organizations
  • local chapters of national health organizations
  • ethnocultural clubs and societies
  • service clubs
  • United Way agencies
  • caregiver support groups
  • community support associations