First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program - Biannual Report 2000-2002

What is Home and Community Care?

The term "home and community care" often evokes different perceptions of types and levels of services. The following section provides an overview of home and community care services as they relate to the First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care (FNIHCC) Program.

Home and Community Care Overview

The following are basic components of Home and Community Care:

• provides services to people mainly in the home;
• provides services based on needs identified through a client assessment;
• designed to help people keep their independence in their own home and allow them to be close to their loved ones as long as possible;
• provides care in a holistic manner that looks at a person's physical, social, spiritual and emotional needs, recognizing that each person is different and unique; and
• supports and improves the care provided by the family and community but does not replace it.

Services of Home and Community Care

The services that make up Home and Community Care include:

Client Assessment

This is carried out through:

• speaking with the client and the client's family
• speaking with the client's doctor and other care providers
• review of client's health history
• physical check up

Case Management

This is the step after assessment to ensure that the plan for care is right and is provided by the right caregiver at the right time.

Home Care Nursing

• nursing care that is provided in a home or community setting
• includes teaching client and client's family about self care
• may include supervision of workers providing personal care services

Personal Care

• assistance with activities such as bathing, foot care, and dressing

Home Support

• help with light housekeeping, laundry, and meal preparation

In-Home Respite Services

• care for the client while the family, who usually cares for client, has a rest and it is not safe for the client to be left alone

Beneficiaries of Home and Community Care Services

Persons of any age who have an assessed need who:

• have been discharged from a hospital;
• have an illness or disease requiring follow up care;
• areçunable to live alone while waiting for care in a long term care facility;
• have a disability requiring assistance to live on their own;
• need nursing care in the home; and/or
• choose to live at home instead of in a long-term care facility as long as it is safe, affordable and services are available.

Others who may benefit from Home and Community Care include family and friends who need support to continue to care for people in the home.

Referral Process

Clients may refer themselves or they may be referred by family members, friends, doctors, neighbours, or hospitals.

Service Providers

Home and Community Care services are provided mainly by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified home health aides/personal care workers at the community level. Home health aides/personal care workers should be supported and supervised by registered nurses.