Home care is a vital part of Canada’s health care system. In fact, most Canadians would prefer to age or recover at home rather than in a nursing home or hospital. But, due to geographic distance, career commitments and other responsibilities, many caregivers struggle to provide the level of care that their loved ones deserve.
The Canadian government offers some support for those providing home care for a family member. The “Independent Living Tax Credit” provides financial support for equipment to help a person live independently and the Regie d’assurance maladie du Quebec (RAMQ or insurance board) has a program that grants money to help pay for domestic help services, including meal preparation, shopping and housekeeping.
A large network of locally owned and operated offices provides a range of home care services across the country. Most offer 24-hour services, but some locations specialize in memory loss care, respite and palliative care, transportation and hygiene assistance. Some have trained nurses on staff. A few offices are also certified to offer end-of-life care.
In general, reviews for home care agencies are generally positive. Several customers praised The Key’s local offices for their attentiveness, professionalism and quality of work. In addition, several clients mentioned that their caregivers were very kind and helpful, which is one of the most important traits when it comes to caring for a loved one. Some also commented on the efficiency of the office staff, which is a big benefit in terms of time management for busy family caregivers. Montreal home care