The Home Care Funding Gap: How It Affects Seniors After Hospital Discharge

By Jenna Fralick, BScN RN

For many seniors, home care after hospital discharge is essential to recovery, providing medical support, mobility assistance, and help with daily activities. However, despite increasing demand, home care funding in Nova Scotia has remained stagnant, leaving many families struggling to access necessary care. Understanding this funding gap is crucial for caregivers navigating post-hospital transitions.

The Growing Demand for Home Care Services

With an aging population and increasing hospital discharges, the need for post hospital care at home has never been greater. Research shows that seniors receiving structured in-home care experience lower readmission rates and better health outcomes (Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2023). However, current government funding does not always meet the needs of families, forcing them to pay out-of-pocket for temporary home care after surgery or other critical services.

How the Home Care Funding Gap Impacts Families

Many families rely on government-funded home care services after surgery, yet limited resources often mean:

• Long wait times for in-home support.

• Insufficient care hours, leaving family caregivers overwhelmed.

• Limited access to professional nursing care after hospital discharge.

• Increased hospital readmissions due to lack of proper follow-up care at home.

With public home care funding staying stagnant, caregivers are left to bridge the gap, often leading to financial strain and caregiver burnout.

Challenges in Accessing Home Care After Hospital Discharge

Caregivers often struggle to navigate Nova Scotia’s Continuing Care Program and other funding options, which have strict eligibility requirements and limited availability. This results in:

• Delayed recovery for seniors, increasing the risk of complications.

• Inconsistent home care schedules, making it difficult for families to plan support.

• Increased reliance on unpaid family caregivers, leading to stress and exhaustion.

Exploring Alternative Home Care Solutions

While public home care services for the elderly provide essential support, many families turn to private options to ensure a safe transition home. Solutions include:

1. Hiring professional post-operative caregivers for personalized care at home.

2. Accessing private nursing services for wound care and medication management.

3. Exploring tax credits and financial assistance to offset costs.

4. Advocating for increased government investment in home care to meet growing demand.

Final Thoughts

As home care needs continue to rise, the stagnant investment in public home care funding leaves many families struggling to provide adequate care after hospital discharge. By understanding these challenges and exploring available options, caregivers can make informed decisions that support their loved ones' recovery while advocating for better home care resources.

💡 Want to explore home care options after a hospital stay? Learn more about our services here.

References

Canadian Institute for Health Information. (2023). The impact of home care services on hospital readmission rates. Retrieved from https://www.cihi.ca

Nova Scotia Health Authority. (2023). Home care support and post-hospital recovery options. Retrieved from https://www.nshealth.ca

Public Health Agency of Canada. (2023). Challenges in home care funding and solutions for families. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html