HIGH RIVER, Alta. (Staff) — For nurse Janet Melbourne, home care is an outstanding program that gives patients independence and respect in their own home.
With health-care cuts throughout the Prairies, home care is one area receiving more money. It’s part of the de-emphasis on expensive hospital beds.
“(The) aim of home care is to keep people as independent as possible in their home,” said Melbourne, who administers the program for the Foothills Health Unit in High River. “We recognize that most people want to be there and we’re trying to do it.”
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Home care run by communities is popular with provincial governments looking for ways to put the brakes on rising health-care costs.
Return to traditional concept
Before medicare was available to Canadians, sick relatives were the responsibility of the family, neighbors or the community.
In today’s institution-centred medical system, people find themselves in hospital for extended stays. Many would much rather recover, receive therapy, or even die, at home.
Except for the isolated far north, there has been a Saskatchewan comprehensive home-care program available for 10 years.
Alberta tripled its home-care budget over the last three years and increased the services provided.
Manitoba has launched an ambitious program to give community-based care to the mentally ill, promising to save money while serving people better.
Modern technology makes medical equipment more portable and transportation on the Prairies has improved. But it’s not just economics and new technology that make home care popular.
“I believe a lot of it has to do with attitude,” said Roger Carriere, who administers home care within Saskatchewan Health. “People are viewing receiving care at home as an option and they don’t have to go to an institution to receive care.”
Each province manages home care differently but the type of service available is similar. Most home-care clients are elderly or disabled people who want to maintain some independence, said Shannon Jones of Alberta Health.
“In the past, the person who needed long-term care gave up a fair amount of control. Those who stay in their own home or community retain a much greater control over their life.”
Most people welcome the help, she said. Home-care nurses help with sponge baths, enemas, medication and intravenous drug therapy and dressings.
In Alberta, service can include speech or respiratory therapy and physiotherapy.
Caregivers can also suggest additional help like Meals on Wheels, house cleaning or special equipment.
Respite care is another commonly used program when one person is caring for another full time. It is emotionally and physically tiring work so when the caregiver is offered a break, it helps them carry on.
As more large city acute-care hospitals are moving towards early discharge and out-patient treatments, the demand for home care is expanding.
Melbourne also sees greater expansion into home intravenous therapy, perhaps including chemotherapy.
