Specialized Services

Home and Community Care Support Services provides a wide range of care options within the community. Referrals can be made by patients, family and caregivers, as well as other health care providers and programs. Accessing community services begins with an assessment completed by a Care Coordinator in order to determine eligibility and what would be most beneficial based on individual patient care needs. Many of the services offered in a community setting include various therapies, which are outlined below. 

Social Work 

If you are experiencing an acute or chronic illness, coping with disability or living with the effects of aging and loneliness, you may also be struggling mentally and emotionally. Families and caregivers can be equally affected. Our social workers are regulated health professionals who offer much more than simply someone to talk to – they play a key role in a patient’s circle of care and can assist with accessing other supports such as housing or transportation. 

If your care coordinator feels that you might benefit from meeting with a social worker, you will be contacted for an assessment. Together, you and your social worker will develop therapeutic treatment goals specific to your needs, as well as a counselling schedule. Your social worker will also monitor and assess your progress and provide education to you, your family members and caregivers. 

Social work is typically a short-term service. If necessary, social workers will refer you to other support services in your community upon discharge from their care. 

Dietitian or Nutrition Services  

Nutrition is very important to getting well and feeling better and many people with different health conditions will need information about nutrition to help them manage. A dietitian can help you meet these needs and manage your nutrition through food and supplements.

Dietitians assess individual needs and work with patients to develop a personalized nutrition plan that complements a patient’s health goals, while monitoring and assessing progress. They work with other members of your health care team to help you manage a tube feed, heal wounds and pressure injuries, find foods to eat that are easy to chew and swallow, manage side effects as a result of conditions such as cancer, manage chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease and many other conditions. Additionally, dietitians will explain how nutrition affects your specific health condition or disease and will work with you and your caregivers to help you manage at home. 

A dietitian’s role is to help people who are requiring parenteral nutrition (nutrition that goes directly into your blood). They will also work with your doctor to provide recommendations on how much energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrates you need, provide recommendations on how much vitamins, minerals and fluid you need, and monitor your weight and blood work to ensure that you are getting enough nutrition. 

Personal Support Services 

Personal support services are aimed at providing assistance with daily personal care needs as individuals deal with the affects of aging, injury or illness. Managing everyday tasks can be challenging for people who are faced with health-related issues, but having additional support and care can be a solution that enables individuals to stay at home safely and comfortably. 

These services encompass such care as grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring, bed care, medication compliance, simple wound dressings, blood sugar and blood pressure monitoring and respite care. This care is usually performed by a personal care support worker or health care aide. 
 
While some services may vary across the province, agencies that offer personal support may accompany this care with additional homemaking services, such as home management, meal preparation, companionship (live-in, overnight or visiting), light housekeeping, and accompaniment to appointments, shopping and errands.  

Intravenous Therapy

Intravenous (IV) care – which can also refer to infusion or injection therapy – is often available in a clinic setting or in a patient’s home, depending on the nature of the treatment. Home and Community Care Support Services helps eligible patients by arranging for the delivery of medication, infusion equipment and medical supplies for administration by a nurse.  

Ensuring safe IV treatment with the highest level of comfort and care is a top priority for all care providers involved. If you are a patient receiving IV therapy, it is also important to understand the roles and responsibilities involved in your care.  

The patient’s role

The clinic nurse’s role

The pharmacist’s role

Find more information about the Assisted Devices Program.

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