About home care services

What kind of home care do I need?

The benefits of home care are boundless. Post-operative patients can recover peacefully at home, minimizing the risk of further injuries at hospital; while senior citizens can maintain a sense of independence surrounded by their home comforts. In a typical long-term home care scenario, friends and family members often take it upon themselves to care for their loved one. However, this can be extremely challenging.

So where do you begin?

The first step on your home healthcare journey is to figure out what kind of help you might need.

Creating a Health Plan with a doctor, nurse, or physician will be your first port of call. Next, you will need to find the right kind of help. To do this, it’s a good idea to know what kind of professional home care services are available.
Carelancer connects you with two types of home healthcare providers: Personal Support Workers and nurses.

What does a Personal Support Worker do?

Personal Support Workers perform a variety of essential tasks uniquely tailored to their clients’ emotional and physical needs. They are here to lighten the load, helping their clients to live as independently and comfortably as possible. They help people reclaim their health and wellbeing, one step at a time. Personal Support Workers provide services that are directly in accordance with the client’s care plan and needs. Personal Support Workers can remind patients to take their medication but cannot administer the medication without appropriate training.

Many people reach out to Personal Support Workers to offer some companionship for their loved one. Aging in place can be a lonely experience. A nurturing Personal Support Worker can enrich a loved one’s life in immeasurable ways. Personal Support Workers can also help their clients spend more quality time with their loved ones by offering assistance on time-consuming and emotionally draining tasks.

Personal Support Workers can also provide safe and secure transportation so that your loved one can attend social events and activities. After all, the benefits of social interaction cannot be overstated. Research has shown how socialization between seniors significantly improves their quality of life.

Typical tasks performed by a Personal Support Worker include:

Depending on the specific tasks performed, in Ontario Personal Support Workers are occasionally given alternative titles like: Health Care Aide, Personal Attendant, Visiting Homemaker, Respite Care Worker, Home Support Worker, Palliative Care Worker, Supportive Care Assistant and Patient Services Associate

It is important to note that personal support services are not medical in nature and do not include the administration of medication or medical treatments. These types of services would fall under the category of nursing services.

What does a home care nurse do?

Nurses who work within a home care setting are highly specialized. They can provide care at a client’s home, school, workplace, or any other public setting. If you or a loved one have acute or complex medical needs, a home care nurse is for you.

Compared with Personal Support Workers, nurses provide more specialized medical care. They can administer medication, provide wound care, and can help manage chronic diseases. Many nurses decide to specialize. Some dedicate themselves to palliative care, while others focus on ventilatory care. The more a nurse specializes, the higher their hourly rate.

Typical tasks performed by a nurse include:

Whatever needs you or a loved one may have, all patients can have a more enriching experience by receiving individualized and bespoke personal care.