My Place to Call Home

WHO

• Who might you live with: on your own, with a partner, with family, roommates, or in supportive housing?
• Who are your supports: family, friends, care partners, guardians, or professionals?
• Who helps with decision-making, finances, or daily care, if needed?
• Who is available in case of an emergency

WHEN

• When do you plan to move or change your living situation?
• When might your health, mobility, or support needs change?
• When would emergency access or evacuation be most important?

HOW

• How close do you need to be to public transit, work, school, and health services?
• How easily could you evacuate in an emergency?
• How might you pay for housing and living costs (income, savings, benefits, credits, Pharmacare)?
• How much can you realistically afford based on your monthly budget and financial plan?
• How does this living set-up support your independence, safety, and quality of life?

Rental assistance programs can provide monthly subsidies to help lower-income adults with complex health issues and disabilities, afford rental housing. Supportive housing offers access to housing combined with medical or personal services such as assistance with daily living, health care services, and social support. Some local health authorities and non-profit organizations have navigators or social workers who can assist in finding appropriate housing for individuals with health needs.

• Assess your income, care needs, and accessibility requirements to determine what type of rental support is most appropriate.
• Apply for rental assistance programs through BC Housing, such as the Rental Assistance Program (RAP).
• Register for the Supportive Housing Registry through BC Housing to be considered for subsidized and supportive housing units.
• Apply for the Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL) program, which allows eligible individuals to manage their own home support services.
• Request a Home Care Assessment through your regional health authority to determine eligibility for supportive housing linked to health services.
• Explore supportive housing options that combine affordable rent with on-site support services for people with medical, mental health, or substance use challenges.
• Inquire about rent supplements that may be available through non-profit housing providers or local support agencies.
• Contact Community Living BC if you are supporting someone with a developmental disability and require supported independent living.
• Seek a referral from a hospital social worker, community social worker, or outreach worker to access priority housing placements when health needs are urgent.
• Explore portable rent supplements that allow you to rent in the private market while receiving financial assistance.
• Search for accessible rental listings that meet mobility or medical equipment needs, including ground-floor units or buildings with elevators.
• Review tenant rights and protections under BC’s Residential Tenancy Act to understand your options if your health affects your tenancy.

• Ask a family member or your health advocate to be present. Remember, the purpose of this assessment is not to judge, but to assess your needs and offer support so you can stay in your home, if you choose.
• Before booking a visit, talk to your family, care partners and those you trust about your concerns and your feelings.
• It is helpful to have up-to-date records of your health information and personal needs included in:
• MyHealth Profile (in My Health Information)
• MyCare Partners List (in My People)
• Changes in My Personal Needs (in My Day to Day)

• Be prepared to answer questions about your daily activities (ADLs). The assessor may also ask you to 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.
• Be ready to answer questions about who else lives in your home, what their personal needs are (if any), and if they are able to assist you.
• Have your care partner, health advocate or a trusted person with you to take notes during the visit. Include in your notes, the date of the visit, who was present, name of assessor (title/role, phone and email), discussion points and suggestions, and the list of items for follow-up.

1. BC Services Card or Driver’s License (includes your personal health number).
2. Social Insurance Number (SIN)
3. Previous year’s Income Tax Return
4. Spouse/Partners Social Insurance Number
5. Spouse/Partners previous year’s Income Tax Return or Notice of Assessment

Consider looking not only to family but also to friends and neighbours for assistance. Revisit “Identifying My Care Partners” in the My People section. Think about the people close to you who may be able to offer support or assistance in different ways, at no cost. Think of this as a two-way opportunity. Many people in their retirement years are looking for meaningful ways to contribute and help others. Small gestures—such as adding your groceries to their shopping list, mowing your lawn when they do their own, or stopping by for a cup of tea—can provide helpful support and connection. Before deciding to hire home care services, consider making a list of people in your circle and the ways they might be able to help.

• Consider the people who can support you personally, as well as those who might offer you professional support.
• Talk to family, friends, neighbours, or community members about how they can help with tasks, errands, transportation, advice, and professional services – any of the items on your list.
• Choose people who offer emotional support, validate your feelings, and show respect and understanding.
• Express your need for independence and choose people who bring skills you are currently unable to achieve.
• Discuss your personal boundaries, when and how you want help, and your need for privacy and confidentiality.
• Explore ways care partners can offer comfort and assistance from ideas in the resource kit.
• Download the Mywell My Care Partners fillable PDF tool to record their contact information as well as how and when each person can provide assistance.

Based on feedback and interviews with seniors and caregivers, MyWell developed Coordinating Home Care Services, a practical discussion and planning tool. It was originally created to help seniors who want to age in place and remain in their own homes. However, it can be helpful for anyone whose health changes and who may need support at home. The tool helps individuals and families think through the steps involved in organizing home care and coordinating support from different sources.

Key learning steps include:

• Learning how to get started with home care services in your community.
• Understanding the types of help available, such as personal care, housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation, or medical care.
• Deciding how much help you may need and how many hours of support would be helpful each week.
• Finding out what publicly funded home care services may be available to you and how to apply for them.
• Understanding how many hours of support you can expect from family members, friends, or other care partners.
• Exploring private home care services if additional help is needed beyond publicly funded care.
• Comparing and choosing private home care providers that match your needs, values, and budget.
• Coordinating schedules so that care partners, family members, and service providers work well together.
• Purchasing helpful home equipment such as walkers, grab bars, shower seats, or raised toilet seats.
• Making home modifications to improve safety and mobility, if needed.
• Exploring funding options or financial support for private care services and home modifications.
• Keeping a record of services and contacts so you know who is providing help and when.
• Checking in regularly with everyone involved to see what is working well and what may need to change.

It can be difficult to have support and personal care services in your home. Inviting someone into your personal space may feel uncomfortable at first, especially when help involves private activities such as bathing, dressing, or managing medications.

Over time, building trust, communicating your preferences, and establishing clear routines can help make the experience feel more respectful, comfortable, and supportive. Taking an active role in planning and communicating your needs can also help you feel more in control of your care.

Communicating with Caregivers & Care Partners

• Recognize that having a written plan can help you communicate clearly with multiple caregivers and care partners. It can also give you more control over how and when you receive assistance.
• Clearly explain your preferences, routines, and comfort levels with personal care tasks.
• Share important health information, such as your personal Health Profile including your medications, allergies, mobility limitations, and safety concerns, and more.
• Use a communication health planner/ binder, calendar, or digital tool so caregivers can leave updates or notes about your care.
• Set up a regular feedback system, such as daily notes or weekly check-ins, to discuss what is working well and what may need to change.
• Encourage caregivers to ask questions and clarify instructions if they are unsure about your needs.
• Make sure all involved are aware of your emergency health plan.
• Let caregivers know when you appreciate their help and share any concerns respectfully and early.

Creating a Written Personal Care Plan

• Create a personal care plan that outlines the type of help you need and how you prefer that care to be provided.
• Include details about daily routines, meal preferences, medications, mobility needs, and personal care activities.
• Identify who is responsible for different tasks, such as family members, care partners, or professional caregivers.
• Review the plan regularly and update it as your health or needs change.
• Keep a copy of your plan in your health planner/ binder so caregivers and family members can easily refer to it. Most often kept in the kitchen – near the fridge where First Responders can easily find it.

Setting Boundaries and Feeling Comfortable with Care in Your Home

Receiving care in your home can take some adjustment. It is important to remember that your home is your personal space, and you have the right to feel comfortable and respected.

• Share your preferences about how care is provided, including routines, schedules, and the level of assistance you want.
• Explain your boundaries around personal space, privacy, and conversations.
• Discuss what makes you feel comfortable during personal care activities such as bathing, dressing, or medication support.
• Let caregivers know your daily routines, such as preferred mealtimes, quiet times, or rest periods.
• Speak up if something does not feel right or if you would like something done differently.
• Ask questions if you are unsure about what caregivers are doing or why certain tasks are needed.
• Remember that building trust takes time, and communication can help create a positive and respectful relationship.

• Home and Community Care The Government of BC website outlines all the information on publicly subsidized home care services, who is eligible, and how to arrange for an assessment and care.
• Route 65: A free, online directory to find home care, home support, and assisted living providers and locations in BC. Developed by the BC Care Providers Association.
• 211 British Columbia:A free, confidential, 24/7 service that connects people to community resources, including home support.
• Community Living BC (CLBC): Provides resources for families, including caregiver support, for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Alzheimer Society of B.C.: Provides education for caregivers on dementia-related home care.
• Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL): A self-managed home care program in BC that provides funding directly to eligible clients with high-intensity needs, enabling them to hire, manage, and pay their own staff for greater independence.