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What is community-based health care?

Community-based health care is for people of all ages who need health care assistance at home. Community care services include home support, nursing, physiotherapy and other rehabilitation services.

For example:

A nurse visits an elderly person at home to help with medication.
A home support worker helps a child in a wheelchair with personal care, such as bathing.

Ontario Health atHome coordinates community care services in Ontario. Each organization provides information about community care services in its community. Organizations can also refer you to services in other parts of Ontario.

Home and Community Care Support Services:

Arrange for health and personal support services to come to your home.
Authorize services for special needs children in schools.
Manage admissions to long-term care facilities - for example, for seniors or elderly people.
Give information and referrals about other community agencies and services.

Depending on what kind of health service you need, you might need to have a referral from a doctor. You need to have the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) or the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) to be eligible for these services. If you have applied for OHIP but have not received your Health (OHIP) Card yet, you may be eligible. Contact Ontario Health atHome for more information.

For More Information

Ontario Community Support Association - Supports 360 home and community care agencies in Ontario that help people live at home.
Ontario Health atHome - Coordinates in-home and community care for thousands of patients across the province.
TheHealthLine.ca - This is a tool to help people in Ontario find the regional health and social services they need.