My Place to Call Home
Your home should be a place where you feel safe and where your physical, social, and emotional needs are met. If you or your partner has a change in health, would you consider moving? Have you started conversations with your family and those you trust about your present and future living arrangements? Take some time to think about your housing options, costs, access to services, and types of help available.
Aging in Place - in Your Own Home
Activities
Tip on setting the stage for emotional conversations.
Discussing health and lifestyle changes with those you are close to can be emotional. Set aside uninterrupted time in a comfortable space where everyone can see each other. Ensure everyone is respectful and listens carefully. Consider having someone record your wishes to share with those you choose.
My Home & Living Wishes
Questions to consider
- Are you happy in your current living situation? What makes you feel that way?
- If your health changes, would you be open to help in your home such as meal support, personal care, garbage removal, or cleaning?
- Could family members or caregivers assist to reduce costs before hiring help?
- If loved ones are concerned about your safety (e.g., memory loss, falls), would you consider a home safety assessment?
- At what point might you consider moving to assisted living or residential care?
- Have you discussed how to finance aging in place or moving to assisted living?
- What other information do you need and when should you revisit this conversation?
Changes in My Personal Needs
Identifying changes in your personal needs
- Have you or your partner had a health change, new diagnosis, or recent hospitalization? Are others concerned about your health and safety?
- Download the Changes in My Personal Needs checklist. Mark areas where you may need help on the checklist.
- Keep it updated in print or digitally to share with your care partners and caregivers.
Tip
Complete the checklist with someone you trust. View it as a tool for getting the help you need, not a list of limitations. Share the completed list with your physician, nurse practitioner, and those conducting your home assessments.
Falls & Prevention
Getting a Home Safety and/or Care Assessment
Learn about free home assessments
- Know that these assessments are provided by your health authority with a referral from your physician, nurse practitioner, family member, neighbour, or yourself.
- Understand the difference between a home safety assessment and a home care assessment.
- Before booking a visit, talk to your family and those you trust.
- Make sure you have updated and completed your
- MyHealth Profile (My Health Information)
- MyCare Partners List (My People)
- Changes in My Personal Needs
Tip
Be prepared for the visit. Have a family member or health advocate present. Remember, this is not an assessment to judge, but to offer support so you can stay in your home if you choose. Bring your updated Mywell Health planning binder with you.
Having a Home Safety Assessment
- Expect an occupational therapist, physiotherapist or a nurse to visit your home.
- Be ready for questions about your daily activities (ADLs) and having them watch you complete certain tasks including walking, getting in or out of bed or a chair, toileting, dressing, bathing, eating (swallowing), drinking, meal preparation, and taking medications.
- Know that the goal of the visit is to provide suggestions to ensure your safety, possibly including home modifications.
- Learn more about a home safety assessment in the resource kit.
Important – Have your care partner, health advocate or trusted person with you take notes about the visit. Items to include;
-
- Date of the visit
- List who was present
- Name of assessor, title/role, phone and email
- Notes and suggestions
- List of items for follow-up
Having a Home Care Assessment
- Expect a case worker (usually a nurse or a social worker) to visit your home.
- Understand that the goal of the visit is to assess and recommend the type of personal care you need and how many publicly-funded care hours are available to you.
- Be ready for questions about your daily activities (ADLs), and having them watch you complete certain tasks including walking, getting in or out of bed or a chair, toileting, dressing, bathing, eating (swallowing), drinking, meal preparation, and taking medications.
- Questions may include who else lives in your home, what their personal needs are (if any), and if they are able to assist you.
- Learn about a home care assessment in the resource kit.
Important
Items to bring to your assessment
- BC Services Card or Drivers License (includes your personal health number (PHN)
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Previous year’s Income Tax Return
- Spouse/Partners Social Insurance Number
- Spouse/Partners previous Year Income Tax Return or Notice of Assessment
Notes from the assessment
Have your care partner, health advocate or trusted person with you take notes about the visit. Items to include;
-
- Date of the visit
- List who was present
- Name of assessor, title/role, phone and email
- Notes and suggestions
- List of items for follow-up
Tip
It is important to understand how home care services are funded in BC. Eligibility for publicly-funded services depends on your needs and income tax assessments. Starting with a home care assessment is key, even if you choose private services.
Coordinating Home Care Services
The choice for aging in place often requires support from family members, neighbours, care partners, and both private and public home care services.
Download the Coordinating-Home Care Services discussion template below to guide you through these topics.
- Steps to organizing home care.
- Calculating your home support hours.
- Publicly supported care hours.
- Care by your care partners.
- Exploring options for private services.
- Choosing private home care services.
- Monitoring and checking.
- Purchasing home equipment and making modifications to your home.
- Creating a budget for private home care and modifications.
“Getting home care services organized for dad was in the beginning almost a full time job. We had lots of conversations with Dad about his wishes and his changing needs and a home care assessment. Then we sought out and interviewed 2 agencies with dad in his home. We settled on a private agency and later on nursing aids we hired directly. It required schedules, care plans, insurance, payroll, not to mention, daily emotional support for dad. We used the Mywell Health planning activities to guide our discussions and our to do lists!”
Exploring Assisted Living and/or Residential Care
Staying in your home may not be your choice or an option for you. Different options are available depending on your community and financial situation.
Start thinking and talking about your options as you reach senior-hood. Your choices can be limited by availability, changes in your physical and mental health care needs, and costs.
Learn about the differences between assisted living and residential care.
Exploring my thoughts and wishes for living in supported care.
Here is a list of questions to help learn about your needs and options. Fill it out with a trusted family member or care partner, and use the resource kit websites and links to learn more.
- When would you consider assisted living or residential care?
- What location or neighbourhood matters to you? What distance can you be from your home, family, and friends?
- Would you want a private room, shared with a partner, or your own furniture and decor?
- What type of social activities would you enjoy?
- Do you or your partner need memory care? Are you looking for a campus of care?
- What cultural or spiritual needs are important to you?
- Discuss other options that are important to you.
Tip
Take time to explore senior living options in your community. Learn about funding, eligibility, and services offered. Talk to friends and family about their experiences, and visit in person for a tour and meal. Consider your current and future needs.
Message to Mywell Users
You can download the entire ‘My Place to Call Home’ module as a fillable PDF. After filling it in, save it digitally to your Mywell files for online or phone access, or print it to add to your Mywell Health binder.
Medical Emergency
If you have a medical emergency call 911 immediately. Do NOT use the website or planner for medical emergencies. If you have a medical concern, call your physician or health care professional.
Resource Kit
As you are completing your health and lifestyle activities, you might come across terms & words that are new to you. Click on the highlighted terms to visit the Resource Kit for definitions, educational materials, links to websites, videos, and more!
Your Data is Your Data
Mywell Health does not store your personal health information. We do not provide online storage. Download the planner sections and choose what works best for you:
- Save your PDFs in your own personal online storage space.
- Print your PDFs and put them into a health binder.