Community Support Services

Introduction to Community Support Services

Community Support Services help to support the client's independence in their own home. Community Support Services are non-medical in nature and include meal preparation/delivery, homemaking, home maintenance, transportation, security checks and friendly visiting, among Community Support Services.

Community Support Services help you to maintain your safety and independence while living at home. Community Support Services are delivered either in your home or in different locations around your community. Organizations that provide these Community Support Services can be either non-profit corporations or private companies.

There are a wide variety of Community Support Services which may be available in your area.

Community Support Services Transportation

Many Community Support Services organizations provide affordable, reliable, accessible and escorted transportation to essential appointments and activities. Community Support Services such as service clubs (e.g. Rotary, Lion's Clubs, Legions) religious groups, or other charitable agencies can help you to get to medical appointments or programs. It may be a volunteer's car, a community vehicle, or a taxi, depending on your needs and the Community Support Services availability in your area. There is sometimes a fee for this Community Support Services to cover costs of your transportation. Subsidies may be available.

Your public transit provider may provide door-to-door or wheelchair accessible public transportation, if you qualify (usually for health reasons) for this type of Community Support Services. The consumer pays a set fare for this Community Support Services.

Community Support Services Meals

Community Support Services meals are delivered to your home, or arrangements can be made for you to enjoy a meal with others in the community. Community Support Services Meals can be delivered once a day for up to seven days a week, depending on your needs and the Community Support Services availability in your area. Volunteers delivering the meals also provide social contact and an informal check on your health and safety.

Social and recreational Community Support Services

These Community Support Services consist of learning and recreational activities for seniors that encourage community involvement and intergenerational contact. Often referred to as, "Older Adult Centres" these Community Support Services organizations serve a range of people including, those who are very healthy to those needing many Community Support Services to remain living independently in the community. Seniors are directly involved in operating the Older Adult Centre, such as serving on the board of directors, advising on program planning, and serving as volunteers.

Community Support Services are funded by various sources, including:

• the government (provincial and/or municipal)
• donations to voluntary organizations (who often deliver these types of services)
• private insurance or benefit plans (e.g. private health insurance)
• the individual (e.g. by purchasing services privately)

It is quite common for seniors wanting to stay in their home to find solutions by mixing different sources for delivering and funding services.

Tips on Choosing Community Support Services

Feel free to contact us at 1-800-311-CARE or info@thecareguide.com should you have any questions or require further assistance in finding appropriate community support services.