As we age, it often becomes more difficult to meet our daily needs. Tasks like preparing food, grooming, and dressing pose challenges. But not everyone wants to leave their homes and live in a care facility. Is there another option? The Self/Family Managed Care program, which is offered by the WRHA (Winnipeg Regional Health Authority) in Manitoba, gives individuals or their families funding to pay for required care services and to employ care staff. If you’d like to learn more about this program and whether you’re eligible for funding, keep reading:
What Is Self Managed Care?
With this approach, the client arranges care services for themselves. They directly manage their care plan and adjust it as necessary. This is an option for those who have intact cognitive functioning but require assistance with physical tasks. If the client’s condition deteriorates over time, family managed care is the next option.
What Is Family Managed Care?
In some situations, the client may be unable to schedule these care services for themselves. They may have conditions, such as dementia, that make self managed care unfeasible. With family managed care, members of the client’s family make the arrangements for care services. The relative takes it upon themselves to ensure the client’s needs are met so that they can continue living at home safely and comfortably. With family managed care, loved ones can seek home care services for the client and carefully monitor their care needs.
How Does It Work?
The goal of self/family managed care is to allow clients to remain in their homes while still meeting their needs via care services. Once an application is approved and funding is received, what should the client or family members do next? Hiring staff members to care for an individual will make you an employer, which means you’ll need to adhere to employment standards. You’ll be obligated to provide your staff with things like vacation allowance, overtime pay, and payroll deductions. Each situation will be evaluated by the WRHA on a case-by-case basis. The individual needs of each client will determine the funding amount. Periodically, the case will be re-evaluated to see whether their needs have changed.
Who Qualifies For It?
Are you or your family member eligible for self/managed family care? Qualifications for clients are as follows:
- You need care services to assist with daily activities such as eating, dressing, grooming, and household chores
- You cannot remain at home unless you have care services
- The help you need goes beyond the support services that are currently available to you
- You’re both a resident of Manitoba and registered with Manitoba Health
If you’re interested in applying to this program, you must meet the above criteria and be a WRHA client. Contact your Case Coordinator to inquire about this service and learn about the application process. Then, you’ll be assessed by the WRHA to determine what funding is necessary. At Partners for Home, we offer home care services in Winnipeg. Many of our clients use the Self and Family Managed Care program to acquire funding for their loved ones. We’re happy to work with you and the WRHA to design a care plan that meets your specific needs. To learn more, contact us today.
