Frequently Asked Questions
What is Home Care?
Home Care is a term used to reflect a wide range of in home support services
and activities that are conducted to enable compromised individuals to live
independently in their own homes and communities. Such in-home support also
provides relief to caregivers. Services may be delivered by a broad spectrum
of professionals, paraprofessionals and/or non professional people.
What Types of Services Can Be Provided in the
Home?
The types of in-home support services that can be provided are as varied as
they are numerous. Implementation of service delivery is based on the
individual client's assessed needs, They can range from nursing care, to
personal care, to homemaking, to housecleaning, to window washing, to
companionship, to yard maintenance, to transportation, to respite, to
handyman repairs, to life skill development, to pet and child care, and so
on. Services can be simple and few OR complex and numerous.
Non-medical home care agencies provide services designed to help individuals
with the tasks of everyday living. The services are of a non-medical nature
and may include companionship, errand running, transportation, non-medical
personal care, housekeeping, meal preparation, etc.. Depending on where you
live, these agencies may or may not have to be licensed. Home Health Care
agencies provide specialized medical care such as nursing, physical and
occupational therapy. These agencies are regulated and must be licensed.
They are often Medicare and Medicaid certified meaning that the agencies are
reimbursed by these programs for providing home health services.
Is There A Need For Home Care Services?
The need for in home care services is escalating at an almost unbelievable
pace. The aging of the population means that a greater number of people are
seeking extra help with daily living tasks. This trend is expected to
continue well into the 21st century. In the US there are approximately 35
million people over the age of 65.By the year 2030, this number is expected
to reach 70 million. In Canada the proportion of people age 65 and older is
expected to jump to approximately 21 % by the year 2026. This growth trend
in the senior population is also occurring in other parts of the world. A
growing number of entrepreneurs see the potential in this market & are
starting their own home care businesses. Part of this upsurge is due to
current senior citizens living longer and part of it is due to the large
group of "baby-boomers" swiftly approaching their retirement years. Coupled
with these realities are multi-level governments trying to respond to the
staggering costs of health care. Being able to remain in one's own home and
community makes a person happier, keeps him healthier, and promotes his
independence. Remaining as independent as possible increases an individuals
sense of well-being and in most cases is much more preferable to relocating
to an assisted living facility. Also, it is usually less costly and allows
one to be close to their friends, family and neighbours.
