On the occasion of its 40th anniversary, Manitobans are being given an overview of the province’s Home Care Program.
It was in 1974 that Manitoba, led by Premier Ed Schreyer, became the first Canadian province to establish a province-wide, universal home care service.
The Manitoba Home Care Program is a community-based program that provides home support to individuals, regardless of age, who require health services or assistance with activities of daily living.
Home care works with individuals and provides assistance to help them stay in their homes for as long as is safely possible; whether that is a single-dwelling home or an elderly persons’ home.
Eligibility requirements include being a Manitoba resident, being registered with Manitoba Health, requiring more assistance than is available from existing supports and living on non-treaty land.
The program consists of an assessment by a health-care professional, the development of a care plan, a variety of community services and personal care home placement.
Assessment
When someone is referred to the home care program, a restorative care coordinator or nursing care coordinator will visit them and their family to discuss their care needs and how best to meet these needs.
The assessment will determine whether the person is eligible for the program, what services are available and whether their needs are best met in another setting.
Referrals can be made by a physician, a health professional, a family member or friend, or an individual themselves. In Flin Flon, the number to call for more information is 204-687-4870.
Before a person receives home care services, the individual and their care coordinator will discuss any existing supports and identify community resources available.
This mutually agreed upon care plan will be signed by the individual and their care coordinator. A copy of the plan is left with the person receiving care.
Self or family management of the services as described in the care plan may be an option if the recipient or their family is interested in arranging their own services.
Services
Some of the services available include:
Personal care assistance: Direct service workers may come to the home to help the care recipient with mobility, such as walking, transferring to and from a wheelchair, and with his or her personal care, such as bathing, dressing and toileting.
Home support: Direct service workers may come to the home to help with activities such as meals, light housekeeping and laundry.
Health care: Nurses may provide health teaching, counseling and nursing care. Physiotherapists may teach special exercises, and occupational therapists may assist with planning the activities of daily living.
Respite care: If the person’s primary caregiver is a family member or a friend, sometimes they need relief. A direct service worker may be arranged to provide short periods of in-home relief or arrangements can be made to provide longer periods of relief. If the respite room in a personal care home is used, there is a fee for this service.
Supplies and Equipment: Some supplies and equipment needed for care may be available through the home care program. Some supplies are free-of-charge and others require payment.
Adult day programs: These day programs enable the client to meet other people and enjoy recreational activities away from their home. There is a fee for this service.
Volunteer Services: Volunteers may be available to help with other activities that support the client’s care plan.
Community housing with support options: As care needs change, additional options are available to help seniors “age in place” in their communities. These options may include supportive housing, group living facilities and specialized supports.
Personal care home placement: A Personal Care Home (PCH) may be the appropriate care setting when a person can no longer remain safely at home even with home care services when the services needed can be provided more effectively, safely and economically in a PCH.
The client’s care coordinator can help with the PCH application and placement process.
Team
The client, his or her care coordinator and their direct service workers function as a team. Each is responsible for understanding the role they play in the development and delivery of their care plan.
Clients and families, who participate in their health care planning and understand the service, benefit the most from the program.
There is an appeal process should the client or their family disagree with care plan decisions.
