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Government funded home care allows seniors to remain in the comfort of their own homes while receiving essential support for daily living, safety, and health needs. Over the past many years, the importance of remaining at home has increased greatly, as familiar routines, memories, and independence play a vital role in overall well-being.
Seniors and their families do not have to go through this process alone. There are government funded home care programs available in Edmonton to provide the support needed for seniors. Basically, it includes personal care and medical services, allowing seniors to maintain their quality of life while living independently at home. In Alberta, for example, Government funded programs such as Alberta Health Services (AHS) and CDHCI Program offer meaningful financial support for seniors who are eligible.
The purpose of this guide is to assist seniors, and family members in exploring government assistance options for seniors. Whether you have questions about how to obtain home care assistance, or are planning for future care needs for yourself or your loved ones, this blog will provide a clear idea with everything in detail!
Government-funded home care is a type of service provided to seniors by the public health system that allows seniors to stay at home safely while receiving assistance with daily living activities. Basically, the home care services are usually provided by publicly funded health authorities and may include personal care, medication reminders and daily living assistance.
Government-funded home care differs greatly from private home care in that government-funded home care is provided to individuals regardless of ability to pay, based on the assessed need of the individual. Therefore, government-funded home care is ideal for seniors who require assistance with daily activities but cannot afford to pay for senior home care services privately.
Major benefits of government-funded home care programs are:
Additionally, other programs like Client Directed Home Care Invoicing (CDHCI) services allow seniors to have more choice in how they receive their care. This may include providing seniors with funding to reimburse them for costs associated with their home care provider for approved services.
Government funded health care programs comprises multiple services that are listed below!
A majority of home health care programs funded by government agencies provide clients with support such as personal hygiene. This typically includes help with bathing, grooming, or dressing.
In addition to that, seniors can also receive assistance with getting around their homes, going to the bathroom, and more. Personal care services form the foundation of home healthcare support for seniors and assist seniors in feeling safe and comfortable in their environment.
Seniors that qualify for home health care programs through AHS may be eligible to avail a nursing care program, medication management, wound care, and the ongoing monitoring of chronic conditions.
In some instances, seniors may be able to access physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy through government funded programs based on an assessment of their needs.
Many seniors require help completing daily living activities like grocery shopping, cleaning light, laundry, preparing meals, and other nutritional needs. Government funded programs may also help seniors with essential errands providing support services for seniors who wish to remain at their own homes.
Companionship, safety monitoring, and wellness checks are also available through home health care programs funded by the government. The availability of companionship and wellness monitoring services helps alleviate loneliness and isolation that many seniors face at their home. This type of support will give seniors peace of mind while living alone and provide families with the support needed.
Most government-funded home care programs are designed to offer assistance with activities essential to maintaining independence in the community. Some of these programs like Veterans Independence Program provide primary personal care, housekeeping, meal preparation, and health and support services for seniors living alone.
Some home support services such as extended companion hours, and specialized care could have out-of-pocket costs associated with them. Many families opt to combine publicly funded home services with privately funded services in order to access more comprehensive care options and allow for greater flexibility.
Many government funded home care programs restrict how frequently home services will be offered to a senior. Hours of service are based on the assessed need of the individual, which can create challenges for families seeking a larger variety of comprehensive home support services.
Funding amounts for home care services are based on an assessment and funding level determined by care coordinators. They evaluate the safety of an individual, the medical needs of an individual, and how well an individual can manage daily living tasks not based on income, making financially accessible home care support for many seniors.
If the approved services do not meet your current needs, you may request a reassessment or, if needed, explore other options in conjunction with a privately funded service.
Let’s explore some of the top advantages offered to seniors by government assisted programs!
One of the primary benefits of a home care program funded by the government is that older adults have the ability to stay in their own homes while also maintaining their independence and dignity in their own environment, where they feel comfortable.
Family caregivers benefit from home care services by being able to share the daily task of caring for an elderly loved-one, allowing family caregivers time to relieve the stress and pressure of caring for their aging loved one.
Being able to provide a steady amount of support to seniors not only decreases their risks of experiencing falls or medication problems, but also enhances their quality of life.
Having their care needs met in the comfort of their own home through a home care program, seniors may delay, and possibly prevent having to enter an assisted living or long-term care facility.
Some of the most common challenges faced are!
It is common when accessing publicly funded home care for individuals to experience long wait times to access the services they require. Therefore, if you are interested in accessing government-funded home care, it is wise to apply for assistance as soon as possible and regularly communicate with your care coordinator.
When the amount of care that an individual requires exceeds the amount of care provided by the government, it may be necessary for individuals to obtain care through both government and private sources.
Health conditions often change rapidly, and therefore, you should always request a reassessment of your care needs each time your condition changes.
The process of coordinating government-funded and private care services can sometimes be overwhelming for families, but care coordinators are available to assist families with coordinating their various options.
Seniors who live at home, whether on their own or with family, need help from home care programs. These programs help seniors maintain a safe and secure living environment with independence and comfort by helping them with activities of daily living, providing companionship support networks, and becoming less of a burden on family and friends.
Although government-funded home care has limitations, through education and experience of the senior and family, there are ways to work with what they have available and what will work best for them. For example, many families have had success combining government-funded home care with private home care in order to create an individualized care plan that responds to changing needs.
The AHS (Alberta Health Services) Home Care, Client-Directed Home Care Invoicing Services (CDHS), and the Veterans Independence Program are all financial assistance programs for seniors in Alberta to provide a wide range of options and allow families to have flexibility. By reviewing these options earlier in the decision-making process and planning accordingly, families can alleviate some of the anxiety associated with obtaining government-funded home care for seniors and understand the options available to them for gaining access to assisted living without financial resources.
By utilizing resources available to seniors through Government-Funded Home Care in Alberta, seniors can confidently age in place with dignity, in an environment where they feel comfortable and secure.
The Alberta senior grant provides assistance for low-income senior homeowners aged more than 65, with essential home repairs to make their homes safer and easier to access, for those who cannot get a SHARP loan.
In Edmonton, the Seniors Home Support Program provides services to help seniors remain independent in their own homes. It includes assistance with daily living tasks, personal care services, and homemaking.
Eligibility for Government Funded Home Care in Alberta includes he/she must be a resident of Alberta with a valid health care card and should satisfy all the requirements set by AHS case manager.
The primary funding source of homecare services provided by Alberta Health Services will be from government resources, although additional private funding may be required, if desired, for additional services that may not be covered under the government funded programs.
Personal care services include things such as help with bathing, grooming, dressing, assistance with some type of transportation, and help with toileting. All of which are necessary to ensure an individual’s safety and independence in his/her daily activities at home through government funded home care services.
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