Homecare Isn’t Just for Grandma: Why Disability Support Is Still Misunderstood
- jenna624
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
Jenna Fralick, BScN RN
It’s Time to Rethink What Homecare Actually Means
When most people think about homecare, they picture a senior recovering from surgery or needing help with meals and medication. But what if we told you that this image, while valid, leaves out thousands of people who also need care—especially persons living with disabilities of all ages?
This outdated assumption is not only wrong—it’s harmful. It delays help for people who need it, isolates families, and contributes to caregiver burnout that could otherwise be prevented.
Disability Support Isn’t Just About Age—It’s About Needs
In Nova Scotia, nearly 1 in 4 adults lives with a disability, including persons with chronic illnesses, mobility impairments, cognitive conditions, and neurodivergence (Statistics Canada, 2017). Many are under the age of 65, and a significant number live with their families—parents, siblings, or partners—who shoulder the daily caregiving without formal training or external support.
The misconception that disability support belongs in institutions or only starts later in life leads to gaps in care that put both the person and the caregiver at risk (Lum et al., 2022). Meanwhile, family caregivers quietly manage bathing, appointments, meals, emotional support, mobility aids, and more—all while working jobs and managing their own lives.
What Disability Support Looks Like at Home
Here’s the truth: home healthcare services should meet people where they are—physically, emotionally, and developmentally. That means care must be customized, collaborative, and consistent.
Support might include:
Personal care routines like hygiene and dressing
Companion care to reduce loneliness and support mental health
Transport for elderly and disabled persons to therapy, school, or activities
Help with communication tools, sensory accommodations, or medication reminders
Guidance with life skills and independent living goals
Caregiver services that reduce family burnout
These are not luxuries—they are essential services that uphold dignity, independence, and emotional health.
Caregiver Burnout Happens When We Ignore These Needs
Many caregivers wait until they’re exhausted—physically and emotionally—before asking for help. And one of the biggest reasons they delay? They believe support “isn’t for people like us.”
This false belief often stems from social messaging and healthcare systems that position professional homecare providers as something only “the elderly” need. But Canadian studies show that access to appropriate disability support improves family health outcomes, reduces emergency healthcare use, and keeps people living independently for longer (Fast et al., 2021; Williams et al., 2020).
Changing the Narrative, One Family at a Time
Homecare isn’t just for Grandma—and neither is burnout. If your loved one has a disability, you deserve support now—not when things hit a crisis point.
Disability support should be framed as a life tool, not a last resort. It gives families breathing room, promotes independence, and affirms that the person you love deserves care that’s rooted in dignity and personalization.
📍Want to explore what disability support could look like for your family? Start with a conversation:
References
Fast, J., Keating, N., & Lero, D. (2021). Supporting caregivers in Canada: Key policy and practice directions.Healthcare Policy, 17(2), 12–24. https://doi.org/10.12927/hcpol.2021.26655
Lum, J., Ruff, S., & Williams, A. (2022). Long-term homecare in Canada: A cross-jurisdictional review of person-centered models. Canadian Journal on Aging, 41(2), 191–205. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0714980822000077
Statistics Canada. (2017). Canadian Survey on Disability, 2017: Nova Scotia Data Tables.https://www150.statcan.gc.ca
Williams, A., Kitchen, P., & McGregor, J. (2020). Caring for caregivers: Policy options for family support. Canadian Public Policy, 46(3), 356–370. https://doi.org/10.3138/cpp.2019-093