Nova Scotians Happier Receiving Health Care at Home, Western Region

The following is a feature story from the Department of Health.

Most of us feel most secure and relaxed at home. That's true whether we feel well or ill. Fortunately, today, care for our health can take place beyond the walls of hospitals or doctors' offices. People across Nova Scotia are seeing their needs met in their own homes because of the services of Home Care.

"All I can do is praise home support workers for all they have done to make things easy for me, a first-time care-giver, and my stepmother Marcella," said John Robertson, New Glasgow, who uses the services provided by Home Care workers. "It's been unbelievably helpful to us."

In Nova Scotia, Home Care services are available to all residents who have an illness or disability and who can be cared for at home.

Because of changes in health care, the need for Home Care has grown. People taking advantage of Home Care benefit from shorter hospital stays. In addition, new drug treatments have replaced surgery or have made recovery times for surgery much faster, allowing some people to recover at home rather than in the hospital. It's a more comfortable and less expensive alternative.

Suzanne Atkinson is a care co-ordinator in the Department of Health's Western Region. She says that many Nova Scotians are finding Home Care to be an excellent method for them to receive health care.

"Home Care services can be invaluable for those who need assistance, allowing clients to maintain as much independence as possible while knowing necessary support is there for them," she said.

Home Care can help to improve an individual's ability to function and may delay or prevent admission to hospitals, nursing homes and homes for the aged. Home Care is not age-related, although many of the supports it provides are needed most by people as they get older. It is a service that meets each client's needs because it goes beyond physical health care to social supports.

The service is meant to add to the help people can receive from others such as family, community or friends; it does not replace those sources of support.

Home Care offers several types of services. Home support includes personal care, respite care -- a break for the care-giver -- and light housekeeping. Nursing services includes dressing changes, catheter care and intravenous therapy. A home oxygen service is also available.

Home Care aims to provide Nova Scotians with the best possible quality of life, and the care co-ordinator plays a key role. The care co-ordinator assesses people who need Home Care services. Urgent assessments take priority.

The assessment involves looking at what services each is eligible to receive based on needs. The care co-ordinator monitors the services and adjusts them if necessary and can help a person connect to programs in the community that may help, such as Meals on Wheels or foot-care clinics.

If needs exceed what Home Care can provide, the care co-ordinator will provide information that may include an application for long-term-care placement.

Home Care is responsive to client needs and is flexible in the way it delivers services. The program also manages its resources responsibly. Workers provide services sensitively and respect the diverse needs of their clients.

Home Care is a service of the Continuing Care section of the Department of Health. Anyone who would like more information about Continuing Care can find it at www.gov.ns.ca/health/ccs/default.htm , or they can call 1-800- 225-7225, which is a toll-free number.