Managing Your Care

Once you start receiving home and community care services, there are some things that may help you to better manage your care, such as what happens when your care needs change, how your family and friends can be supported in their caregiving role, and how to build positive relationships with the staff who provide your care.

Changing Care Needs

The services you receive were selected as the most appropriate and beneficial when your needs were assessed by your health care professional.

If there is a major change in your health or situation, or if you feel the services are no longer right for you, contact your health care professional or the home and community care office for a review.

For example, if you were a client living in an assisted living residence, and you required a brief hospitalization, your accommodation would be held for your return. You would continue to pay the monthly charge while you are in hospital.

If you were going to be in hospital for several weeks, or if your health and ability to function were not the same as they were before you went into hospital, it might be necessary for you to transfer to a long-term care home when you leave hospital, rather than go back to the assisted living residence. Your health care professional would discuss this with you and your family and make any necessary arrangements.

Support for Caregivers

Family/friend caregiving is a complex role with a unique set of responsibilities.  These responsibilities can change over time as the care needs of the person change.

For information on a range of resources that offer practical assistance as well as personal supports for caregivers, go to:

• Caring for Seniors

Building Relationships

British Columbia has many caring, competent home and community care staff. The Ministry of Health hopes the services you receive through the health authority are helpful and that your relationships with these caregivers, such as community health workers, are pleasant.

Here are some steps you can take to build positive relationships with your caregivers:

1. Ask the caregiver to clarify anything you do not understand. The caregiver is there to assist you, so you can remain as independent as possible. Caregivers appreciate it when you help yourself, wherever possible, and, if you have a good relationship with your family, when your family can assist with your care.

 2. Most people like to receive praise. Letting the caregiver, health care professional or supervisor know when they are doing a particularly good job can help to create positive feelings.

3. You are encouraged to discuss any concerns you have about the services you are receiving with your caregivers. Caregivers are there to help and want to work with you to maintain a positive relationship.

4. If any concerns remain unresolved after discussing them with your caregiver, you may want to contact the supervisor or health care professional. For example, if you are receiving home support services, you can contact the home support supervisor or agency administrator. Once you have tried these suggestions, and if you are still unable to resolve your difficulties, you have several options for pursuing timely resolution of problems or making a formal complaint.

If you would like more information about other options for addressing your concerns, go to:

• Concerns and Complaints