Home Care - FAQs

What is home care?

Home care is a program that supports your wellness and independence, so you can remain safe and independent in your own home for as long as you can. The Alberta Health Services Home Care Program supports Albertans from birth to death. It provides care and support to infants, children, adolescents, adults and seniors for short-term illness like recovery from surgery, respite care, end of life care, and longer term needs.

Your home care team is available to assess your abilities and coordinate the kinds of services and supports you may need throughout your lifetime.

Home care services and supports will help Albertans to remain in their own homes safely, and independently, for as long as possible.

What kinds of services does home care provide?

Home care provides a broad range of services. Your plan of care will outline the services that are available to you. Care in the home is provided on a scheduled basis with the exception of short periods when unscheduled care can be provided.

Home care can provide personal care supports such as assistance with bathing and dressing; it can also provide a wide range of health care supports such as wound management, IV therapy and end of life care. If necessary, your Home Care team can also refer you to other community-based services such as meal preparation, yard and housework.

How do I get home care?

Anyone can call home care to ask for support – including you. You can also be referred by your family doctor, family members or a neighbour.

A Home Care Registered Nurse* (sometimes called a case manager) is assigned to meet with you to discuss your needs and conduct an assessment of your abilities. If you prefer, your family can also be involved. From the information gathered, a plan of care will be developed to coordinate a range of services to meet your assessed needs.

You can receive Alberta Health Services Home Care services if you:

• Live in Alberta
• Have an Alberta Health Care number, or
• Have applied for and are eligible to receive Alberta Health Care coverage

To get more information on seniors living options or to book an assessment, contact the local Home Care Program, talk with your family doctor or call Health Link Alberta Toll-Free 1-866-408-5465.

Who will provide care for me?

A Registered Nurse* will be assigned to assess your needs, manage and coordinate the services you’ll receive. Together you’ll create a plan of care just for you. At different times you may require different services, so as your needs change so will your plan. If you prefer, your family can also be involved.

Your Home Care Registered Nurse* has a support team of local health-care professionals available to assist you. This team may include your family physician, physiotherapists, pharmacists, health care aides and many others.

How much will these services cost me?

Alberta Health Services has made a commitment to ensure Alberta seniors receive the care services they require to support wellness and independence.

Your ability to pay will not be a barrier to getting the care services you need. All assessed services included in your plan of care and directed through your Home Care Registered Nurse* will be covered by Alberta Health Services.

At times, you may require medical supplies and equipment not covered by Alberta Health Services. If so, ask your Home Care Registered Nurse if there are subsidies available to help with the cost of these items or contact your Senior’s Benefit Office for more information or call 310-0000 and ask to be connected.

How long can I use home care services?

We know that remaining in your own home is a priority for you and it’s a priority for us too. Home care can and will support you to remain in your own home for as long as your abilities allow.

A time may come when living at home is no longer a safe option. If so, your Home Care Registered Nurse will help you decide on a living option that meets your care needs and respects your wellness and independence.

Home care also provides support if you have a short-term illness or are recovering at home from surgery or another medical procedure. Home care will continue to support you until you are well again.

* In some parts of the province, other allied health-care professionals (i.e. physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers) also complete assessments.