Revised May 2007

Homecare & Continuing Care

• Check with your extended health benefit plan to see what services are covered.
• Contact your local Health Unit (Continuing Care Program) to have a financial assessment to determine costs. The cost of homemakers providing personal care (e.g. bathing, grooming, etc) may be subsidized. Housekeeping tasks, such as cooking, and cleaning etc., are not covered.
• Ministry of Health subsidizes Home Care Nursing. A doctor's authorization is needed. Ask your family doctor for a referral.

Compassionate Family Care Benefit

(Human Resources & Skills Development Canada Employment Insurance)

Individuals who meet eligibility requirements for EI special benefit, and have served a 2 week long waiting period, may be entitled to a 6 week EI Compassionate Leave Benefit to care for a gravely ill/ dying child, parent, spouse or friend.

In BC, an employer is not obligated to grant leave, even though the applicant may be eligible for EI.

For more information, phone 1-800-206-7218 or visit: http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/ei/faq/faq_compassionate_care_individuals.shtml

Home Aids

Contact the Red Cross Loans Cupboard in your community. Medical equipment loans for up to three months are available. A note by your physician may be needed.

www.redcross.ca

Hospice Programs in your community may loan medical equipment to palliative care patients.

If you are registered with the Palliative Benefits Program, the cost of home aids may be covered.

Ministry of Employment & Income Assistance: Contact Personal Supports Information Line for information on equipment and assistive devices. Callers will be directed to government programs that provide equipment to assist persons with daily living activities.

Phone: 1.888.818.1211
TTY: 1.800.661.8773
Email: Personal/SupportsInformation@gov.bc.ca