Home, community and long-term care
On this page
- Home and community care
- Long-term care
- Federal support for some population groups
- Health Canada’s role
Home and community care
In Canada, the provinces and territories are responsible for organizing, managing and delivering health services for their residents. This includes home and community care.
Home and community care are the health and social services that people receive in their own home or in their community. Many people prefer to receive services in their home or in a community setting, where they are more comfortable.
Home and community care helps people:
- stay as independent as possible
- receive needed treatment, rehabilitation, palliative care or other care in their home or community
- maintain or improve their health and quality of life as they recover from illness or manage ongoing health conditions
Home and community care services may include:
- nursing
- social work
- homemaking
- personal care
- bathing
- feeding
- dressing
- family medicine
- respite services
- dietitian services
- therapy, such as:
- physiotherapy
- speech therapy
- occupational therapy
- psychologist services
Other community services may also be available to help people stay in their home or improve their health. These services include:
- friendly visitor programs
- supports for unpaid caregivers
- meal delivery or preparation services
- day programs for people with dementia or cognitive disabilities
In each province or territory, there are a range of health and social service providers who deliver care at home and in the community. This includes:
- non-regulated workers, such as:
- health care aides
- home support workers
- personal support workers
- regulated health care providers, such as:
- nurses
- social workers
Many people will also receive some care and support from unpaid caregivers such as friends, volunteers, family members and other community members.
Home and community care services are delivered outside of hospitals and often involve a mix of health and social care. Some of these services may not be paid for by provincial and territorial health insurance plans. Depending on the type of service, clients may have to pay for some or all of the services, either through private health insurance or out-of-pocket.
The provinces and territories may provide some supplemental coverage to certain groups of people, such as:
- seniors
- children
- social assistance recipients
Visit:
Long-term care
Long-term care is for people who require supervised care around the clock. Like home and community care, the provinces and territories are responsible for organizing and delivering long-term care to people living in their jurisdiction.
Long-term care includes:
- daily services
- meals
- laundry
- recreation
- housekeeping
- personal care
- bathing
- feeding
- dressing
- health care and social services
Long-term care is provided in a range of facilities, such as:
- long-term care homes
- may be referred to as nursing homes or residential care facilities
- retirement homes or community care facilities for the elderly
- residential facilities for people with an intellectual or developmental disability, mental health condition or substance use disorder
Long-term care is provided out of hospital and includes a mix of health and social care. Some services (such as non-physician services) may not be paid for by provincial and territorial health insurance plans. Clients or their families may have to pay for some services, either through private health insurance or out-of-pocket.
Federal support for some population groups
The Government of Canada provides support for the delivery of home care and long-term care services to some population groups. These include:
- eligible veterans
- inmates in federal penitentiaries
- members of the Canadian Forces
- First Nations living on reserve, in a First Nations community North of 60 or an Inuit community
Learn more:
- Help at home for veterans
- Health services for inmates in federal penitentiaries
- Home and community care for First Nations and Inuit
- Support for the Canadian Armed Forces and their families
Health Canada’s role
The federal government is committed to helping people in Canada get better access to the care they need at home and in the community.
Health Canada works with provinces, territories and others to improve access to high-quality services, including to reduce financial and other barriers to this care.
This includes:
- working with provinces and territories to improve health care:
- Working Together bilateral agreements
- Aging with Dignity bilateral agreements for home, community and long-term care
- supporting Canada’s health workforce
- improving access to palliative care
Learn more: