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Difference between revisions of "Home Care"
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== | ==Overview of Home Care== | ||
Sometimes informal care from family, friends and local community organizations is unavailable or unable to meet a person’s needs and keep them safe. In that case, home care can provide supplemental personal care and health care in the person’s home. Home care can be through the publicly funded home care in [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/how-to-arrange-for-care each health authority],([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|1]]) or purchased privately. | |||
Sometimes informal care from family, friends and local community organizations is unavailable or unable to meet a person’s needs and keep them safe. In that case, home care can provide supplemental personal care and health care in the person’s home. Home care can be through the publicly funded home care in [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/how-to-arrange-for-care each health authority], | |||
Home care for older adults includes personal care and health care. It may be provided over a short term to support rehabilitation or to provide respite for caregivers. It can also be provided over a longer term to prevent hospitalization or admission to long-term care or assisted living. | Home care for older adults includes personal care and health care. It may be provided over a short term to support rehabilitation or to provide respite for caregivers. It can also be provided over a longer term to prevent hospitalization or admission to long-term care or assisted living. | ||
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This section will discuss eligibility for subsidized home care, how to apply, private home care services, palliative care, and concerns with home care. | This section will discuss eligibility for subsidized home care, how to apply, private home care services, palliative care, and concerns with home care. | ||
==Eligibility for Subsidized Home Care== | |||
The province sets out the requirements for subsidized home care. A person must: | The province sets out the requirements for subsidized home care. A person must: | ||
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Provincial legislation sets out the financial eligibility for home care and the associated client fees. Health authorities assess applicants for subsidized home care based on their annual income, or joint annual income if the person lives with a spouse. | Provincial legislation sets out the financial eligibility for home care and the associated client fees. Health authorities assess applicants for subsidized home care based on their annual income, or joint annual income if the person lives with a spouse. | ||
If a person is eligible, they must agree to pay the assessed client rate to access services. Some services are free for financially eligible adults, but the adult may be required to pay for supplies in some circumstances. | If a person is eligible, they must agree to pay the assessed client rate to access services. Some services are free for financially eligible adults, but the adult may be required to pay for supplies in some circumstances.([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|2]]) | ||
If an adult is receiving any of the following income benefits, they can get a fee waiver or pay a reduced fee: | If an adult is receiving any of the following income benefits, they can get a fee waiver or pay a reduced fee: | ||
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If paying the assessed fee would cause serious financial hardship for a person, they can apply to the health authority for a [https://connect.health.gov.bc.ca/system/files/files/forms/hcc/3992fil.pdf temporary fee reduction]. | If paying the assessed fee would cause serious financial hardship for a person, they can apply to the health authority for a [https://connect.health.gov.bc.ca/system/files/files/forms/hcc/3992fil.pdf temporary fee reduction]. | ||
There are some exceptions available to the eligibility requirements. If you want more information about exceptions, contact your local home health office in your health authority. | There are some exceptions available to the eligibility requirements. If you want more information about exceptions, contact your local home health office in your health authority.([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|3]]) | ||
==Applying for Subsidized Home Care== | |||
To apply for subsidized home care, you can contact your local [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/how-to-arrange-for-care Home and Community Care Office] yourself, or get a referral from a doctor, social worker, or other health care professional. | To apply for subsidized home care, you can contact your local [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/how-to-arrange-for-care Home and Community Care Office] yourself, or get a referral from a doctor, social worker, or other health care professional. | ||
When you apply for home care, the office will conduct an assessment to see if you are eligible and what your care needs are. See the province’s website for information on how to [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/how-to-arrange-for-care prepare for an assessment]. | When you apply for home care, the office will conduct an assessment to see if you are eligible and what your care needs are. See the province’s website for information on how to [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/how-to-arrange-for-care prepare for an assessment].([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|4]]) | ||
If you are eligible, a health care worker will create a care plan. The care plan will be shared with you, your health care team, representatives, and family members you want involved. | If you are eligible, a health care worker will create a care plan. The care plan will be shared with you, your health care team, representatives, and family members you want involved. | ||
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The next section will discuss hiring private home care. | The next section will discuss hiring private home care. | ||
==Private Home Care== | |||
People can hire private pay home care services. A person may do this if they do not qualify for government subsidized services or wish to access extra services. Private pay service providers may be individuals or businesses. You access these services by contacting a service provider directly. | People can hire private pay home care services. A person may do this if they do not qualify for government subsidized services or wish to access extra services. Private pay service providers may be individuals or businesses. You access these services by contacting a service provider directly. | ||
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* When hiring an individual person to provide care, rather than through a company, consult with your home insurance provider to see if you’ll need additional insurance to cover risks such as theft or in-home accidents by the caregiver. | * When hiring an individual person to provide care, rather than through a company, consult with your home insurance provider to see if you’ll need additional insurance to cover risks such as theft or in-home accidents by the caregiver. | ||
==Palliative Care== | |||
A person with a life-limiting illness may receive [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/care-options-and-cost/end-of-life-care palliative care]. Palliative care focuses on maintaining a person’s quality of life through pain management and other services. It can be provided alongside treatment for an illness. Once a patient is designated as palliative, the Medical Services Plan will pay for certain services, medications and supplies that are specific to palliative care. It also pays a fee to physicians providing palliative care supervision. | A person with a life-limiting illness may receive [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/care-options-and-cost/end-of-life-care palliative care]. Palliative care focuses on maintaining a person’s quality of life through pain management and other services. It can be provided alongside treatment for an illness. Once a patient is designated as palliative, the Medical Services Plan will pay for certain services, medications and supplies that are specific to palliative care. It also pays a fee to physicians providing palliative care supervision. | ||
Palliative care can be provided in a number of settings, including in the home through home care services. The eligibility and application for home-based palliative care is the same as other home care services. | Palliative care can be provided in a number of settings, including in the home through home care services. The eligibility and application for home-based palliative care is the same as other home care services.([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|5]]) | ||
==Concerns, Complaints, and Accountability== | |||
If you have concerns or complaints about public or private home care, you have several avenues to get accountability. This includes complaints through a: | If you have concerns or complaints about public or private home care, you have several avenues to get accountability. This includes complaints through a: | ||
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''Patient Care Quality Office'' | ''Patient Care Quality Office'' | ||
Through the Patient Care Quality office, a person can make a complaint about the quality of the care they received within that health authority. The office may facilitate a resolution. If a person does not believe that their complaint was resolved in a satisfactory way, the person can request a review from the [https://www.patientcarequalityreviewboard.ca/makecomplaint.html Patient Care Quality Review Board]. | Through the Patient Care Quality office, a person can make a complaint about the quality of the care they received within that health authority. The office may facilitate a resolution. If a person does not believe that their complaint was resolved in a satisfactory way, the person can request a review from the [https://www.patientcarequalityreviewboard.ca/makecomplaint.html Patient Care Quality Review Board].([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|6]]) The review board will review any outstanding concerns, including the way the Patient Care Quality Office responded to the complaint. See Appendix A for a list of PCQOs. | ||
''Health profession regulator'' | ''Health profession regulator'' | ||
Regulated health professionals are governed by colleges, which set out practice and ethics standards. A person can make a complaint about an individual regulated health professional to that person’s college. Regulated health professionals include doctors, | Regulated health professionals are governed by colleges, which set out practice and ethics standards. A person can make a complaint about an individual regulated health professional to that person’s college. Regulated health professionals include doctors,([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|7]]) nurses,([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|8]]) occupational therapists,([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|9]]) physical therapists,([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|10]]) speech and language pathologists,([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|11]]) dentists,([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|12]]) pharmacists,([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|13]]) and some mental health professionals.([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|14]]) | ||
A member of the public can make a complaint about a regulated professional, and the college must investigate. If the health professional has engaged in professional misconduct, they can face disciplinary action. A complaint to the college will not lead to compensation but may trigger outcomes for the health professional and improve health care practices. | A member of the public can make a complaint about a regulated professional, and the college must investigate. If the health professional has engaged in professional misconduct, they can face disciplinary action. A complaint to the college will not lead to compensation but may trigger outcomes for the health professional and improve health care practices. | ||
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''Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry'' | ''Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry'' | ||
In BC, there is a [https://www.cachwr.bc.ca/ Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry]. | In BC, there is a [https://www.cachwr.bc.ca/ Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry].([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|15]]) Any health care assistant (HCA) who is working at a publicly funded facility must be registered with the Registry. However, the oversight of care aides is minimal. An HCA is eligible to be registered if they have completed an approved BC training program or an equivalent program. If an employer suspends or fires an HCA because they are suspected of abusing or neglecting a patient or client, this must be reported to the registry. The registry will investigate. If the allegations are found to be true, the HCA is removed from the registry.([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|16]]) | ||
The registry is very limited in terms of the public. The public cannot make a complaint about an HCA. This can only be made by an employer. The results of an investigation are not made public, even if they are found to be true. Additionally, the public does not have access to the registry. The public cannot check if the HCA is registered, and therefore has taken an approved education program. Only publicly funded employers can access the registry. | The registry is very limited in terms of the public. The public cannot make a complaint about an HCA. This can only be made by an employer. The results of an investigation are not made public, even if they are found to be true. Additionally, the public does not have access to the registry. The public cannot check if the HCA is registered, and therefore has taken an approved education program. Only publicly funded employers can access the registry.([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|17]]) | ||
If an HCA works for a company that does not receive public funding, or works privately on their own, the HCA does not have to be registered, or complete any training programs. | If an HCA works for a company that does not receive public funding, or works privately on their own, the HCA does not have to be registered, or complete any training programs.([[{{PAGENAME}}#References|18]]) | ||
If you are thinking of hiring an HCA yourself, you should carefully check the care aide’s education and work record. If you are using a home care agency, check their hiring and training policies, and their insurance coverage. A private home care agency may be listed in the Better Business Bureau. | If you are thinking of hiring an HCA yourself, you should carefully check the care aide’s education and work record. If you are using a home care agency, check their hiring and training policies, and their insurance coverage. A private home care agency may be listed in the Better Business Bureau. | ||
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# College of Psychologists of British Columbia ”Home” online: <[http://www.collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca www.collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca]>. | # College of Psychologists of British Columbia ”Home” online: <[http://www.collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca www.collegeofpsychologists.bc.ca]>. | ||
# BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry ”Home” online: <cachwr.bc.ca>. | # BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry ”Home” online: <cachwr.bc.ca>. | ||
# BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry | # BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry "About the Registry” online: <www.cachwr.bc.ca/about-the-registry/>. | ||
# Krista James & Sara Pon ''Strengthening BC’s Health Care Backbone: Oversight of the Work of Health Care Assistants CCEL Study Paper 11'' (October 2022: British Columbia Law Institute) at pg 124 to 130 online: ''British Columbia Law Institute'' <www.bcli.org/project/hca-oversight-in-bc/>. | # Krista James & Sara Pon ''Strengthening BC’s Health Care Backbone: Oversight of the Work of Health Care Assistants CCEL Study Paper 11'' (October 2022: British Columbia Law Institute) at pg 124 to 130 online: ''British Columbia Law Institute'' <www.bcli.org/project/hca-oversight-in-bc/>. | ||
# BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry ”About the Registry” online: <www.cachwr.bc.ca/about-the-registry/>. | # BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry ”About the Registry” online: <www.cachwr.bc.ca/about-the-registry/>. | ||
