Home care — living with independence in your home

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Published on Friday, October 3, 2014

By Monica Truffyn

      Communications Coordinator

The MacKalskis have lived in their home for 40 years but when Bob became ill last year and ended up in the hospital, he didn’t know if he would ever be able to return. But with the help of home care and his wife Marlene, Bob is living comfortably in his home.  

After getting out of the hospital, Bob’s care needs had changed and it was just too much for Marlene to handle on her own. She had suffered a stroke a number of years ago and wasn’t able to do any heavy lifting. When staff from home care first came to visit, Marlene didn’t know what to expect.  

“When home care came our initial feeling was our life is over, but it wasn’t, a new life began,” says Marlene.   “The girls are part of the family. We joke together, we tell stories and they keep us young.  I just love them.”

Home care comes twice a day and helps Bob in the morning and evening with dressing, bathing, getting in and out of bed, along with other medical needs.  

Tracy Dixon is one of their attendants.

“I just love my clients, they are the best thing.  I never thought it was something I could do, and here I am 12 years later. You get to know your clients and their families, it’s so much fun, and I just love to do it.”

At 91 years of age, Bob says he would like to be able to stay at home as long as possible, where he can relax and enjoy the things he still likes to do.  

“They provide a beautiful service; the young ladies come in, and I find that they are very obliging, making sure I am comfortable, and they are efficient in what they do,” says Bob. 

That is what the Manitoba Home Care Program was designed to do, assist individuals and their families in their efforts to remain independently in their own home for as long as safely possible. It is recognized that some people need ongoing health services to help them with their activities of daily living, but not necessarily needing the level of care provided in a hospital or personal care home.  This goal has guided home care since it was first developed in 1974. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Manitoba Home Care Program. 

The program facilitates hospital discharges and emphasizes the promotion of care in the home, with special attention to care plans that prevent or delay entry into long term care facilities. There will come a time when living in their own home is not a viable alternative; home care will also co-ordinate the admission to a facility such as a personal care home. Home care does not have age-related eligibility criteria, but the majority of clients have been  elderly and disabled. Eligibility for home care service is determined through an assessment by a case co-ordinator.  They explain what they would be able to do and how they could help them continue to live at home. 

Some criteria include: care needs are such that even with the assistance of family/informal support network and available community resources, they would be unable to remain safely at home; provision of services will delay or prevent deterioration of functioning essential to remaining safely in the community; without services the individual is or will become at risk of placement into a personal care home or chronic care facility, entering into a hospital or remaining in hospital, or at risk of premature re-admission to hospital.

The home care program offers a full range of services including assistance with personal care and activities of daily living. Nursing care takes care of more specific medical needs such as wound care, catheter care, insulin, etc. Part of the program also includes respite care, which aims to provide some relief to primary caregivers through in-home respite or through adult day programs. Depending on the needs, occupational and physiotherapy services are also provided, as well as equipment and medical supplies to support the provision of care at home.  Each client is assessed and needs are determined which sets the action plan for an individual.

Prairie Mountain Health has almost 3,500 home care clients and approximately 800 staff in permanent or casual positions on the home care team . 

Marnee Bonchuk is a home care attendant covering the community and RM of Shoal Lake. She has been involved in the program for the last 27 years in a number of positions and is now back doing what she loves, working one-on-one with her clients. She visits anywhere from 15-20 people per day, depending on their needs. 

“I have seen the results of being able to care for someone in their home. We truly keep people longer in their homes because of the care that we can give them. Often it isn’t anything we are doing, it’s just our presence of being there. Sometimes they don’t see anybody for days on end, except for home care girls, so it makes it special. You become part of their lives and they become part of ours.”

For staff like Marnee and Tracy, their jobs are something they look forward to everyday.   

“It isn’t just about what I can do for them, it’s what I gain from the people I have encountered over the 27 years.  It has been amazing because everybody has a story, and everybody has something to share,” says Marnee.

For clients like Bob and Marlene,  their health care workers and the home care program has meant keeping their independence for as long as safely possible because, as Marlene says,  “At home we can be relaxed. There is no place like home, that is where your heart is.”

If you have any questions regarding home care services provided in Prairie Mountain Health and whether you or loved ones can qualify for the services, contact your local health unit and ask to speak to the home care case co-ordinator.

As part of marking the 40th anniversary of the Manitoba Home Care Program, clients were asked to share their stories and experiences; here’s one from Dauphin: I have been involved with the home care program since 2004, when I broke six vertebrae in my lower back. I was unable to do anything (bend, lift etc.), only walk with a walker.  I have had many workers over the years and have found them to be kind, considerate and caring.  They are very observant as well, as they have come in and sent me to the hospital as they felt I shouldn’t be alone. They have called my family when needed and overall, have been great. I had one worker for nearly 10 years and liked consistently having the same worker as I feel they really get to know you and notice any changes.  I find them great and would highly recommend their services to anyone that has need for them. — Joyce Weaver