by Opal L. Rowe, MSc, MBA, CPCA and Healthy Living Magazine
There is a general myth that if you live long enough, you will end up in a nursing home. Institutionalizing seniors is actually a relatively new phenomenon, one that has grown tremendously with urbanization. Long before the advent of nursing homes, seniors were primarily cared for at home by family members. However, with the changes in social and economic dynamics, home care has evolved, and although family members still play a major role, there are many more types and sources of home care than in the past.
The two most common types of home care service are:
However, other specialized services are available for seniors in their homes. These include:
In addition, there are also community-based services for seniors living at home. These services are almost exclusively provided by not-for-profit organizations and include:
Most seniors can continue living at home independently for a long time if they have assistance with activities of daily living. Such activities include:
Homemaking
Personal Support
Health Professional Services
Health professional services are offered by nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, dietitians and social service workers. They are provided temporarily if one is recovering from hospitalisation, or on an ongoing basis if one needs continual help because of an illness, chronic condition or injury.
The Provincial Government
Among other things, Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) coordinate health care services for seniors and people with disabilities who need help living independently.
There is no charge for home care services that are offered by CCACs, but like everything else, these resources are limited. Eligibility is based on need and is determined by an assessment. CCACs will also direct clients to not-for-profit or private services in the community.
Recipients of home care services through CCACs cannot select the company that provides the care or the caregiver assigned, and generally cannot choose when they receive service.
Not-for-Profit Organizations
These organizations are community based and provide a range of homemaking and personal support services. Many also offer meals on wheels, community dining, adult day care programs, and transportation to doctor’s appointments.
Not-for-profit organizations charge for their services, though some of them are subsidized.
Unlike private companies, not-for-profits cannot offer flexible scheduling, choice of caregivers, etc.
Private Companies
Some private for-profit companies provide specialized services such as wheelchair accessible transportation or meal delivery. The majority, however, are home care agencies that boast a wide range of homemaking and personal care options. Some homecare agencies also offer limited health professional services (e.g., physiotherapy and nursing).
Private Individuals
Due to their limited resources and/or lack of flexible options, CCACs and not-for-profit organizations cannot meet the demands of everyone who requires home care. Where alternate or supplementary care is required, many families will consider hiring private individuals for cost effectiveness, rather than working with a reputable agency. A poll by the Ontario Home Care Association (OHCA) in 2010 showed that 65% of respondents were either unaware or unsure of the risks inherent in directly hiring an individual to provide care.
The decision to purchase care should be made as carefully as the decision to purchase any other service. Some of the key advantages of hiring an agency over a private individual are:
When seeking help with home care, it is wise to choose reputable organizations that guarantee a high standard of service provision. By choosing a homecare agency, families can minimize their workload, mitigate potential threats, and spend more quality time with their elderly loved ones.
Opal Rowe, MSc, MBA, CPCA is Director of Living Assistance Services, GTA North.
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Hey Opal!
I too feel more comfortable with bigger high standard organizations. I wonder which of the services provided by non-profit organizations can in general be subsidized? Thanks for the quick read!