Home care

What is home care assistance?

Home care services are valuable in preventing or reducing caregiver burnout, improving their quality of life, and allowing the people they care for to remain in their homes. The need for home care services can be particularly urgent when there is a temporary or permanent loss of autonomy caused by advancing age, cognitive problems, chronic illness or even an accident.

Home care assistance comes in many forms:

• personal assistance (bathing, dressing);
  
• domestic assistance (household chores, meal preparation, grocery shopping or laundry);
  
• medical services.
  

Agencies providing home care services

• Social economy enterprises in home care (EESAD) offer home maintenance services: light or heavy housekeeping, preparation of meals that do not require a special diet, assistance with errands, respite care and personal assistance;
  
• Volunteer Action Centres (CAB) unite organizations and volunteers to meet the needs of a specific population in a specific region. The services are numerous and varied: medical accompaniment/transportation, assistance with errands, courtesy calls and visits, safety calls, Meals on Wheels, food assistance, community kitchens, tax clinics, assistance with forms, community day centres, social activities;
  
• CLSCs offer home support services such as respiratory therapy, nutrition, equipment loans, nursing care, and rehabilitation care. CLSCs are responsible for receiving and assessing the needs of any person who requires their services;
  
• Private home care agencies offer a range of personalized home care services. Services and rates vary from company to company. A complimentary needs assessment is usually offered.
  

How can I receive financial support?

Financial assistance is available to persons 70 years of age or older, in the form of a refundable tax credit, for expenses related to home support services.

In addition, the Québec Régie de l’Assurance maladie offers a financial exemption program for domestic help services provided by a social economy enterprise. This allows for a reduction in the hourly rate for the following services: light or heavy housekeeping, clothing upkeep, preparation of non-dietary meals as well as grocery shopping and other errands.

Home support services can also be provided by a worker hired by the client through the direct allowance/service employment paycheque.