• Patient aids—commode chair, flotation pads, sheepskin pads, transfer lifts and respiratory equipment
• Patient care items—foam cushion rings, bedpans, urinals, heel and elbow protectors, sitz baths and
incontinence pads and pants.
If the patient is eligible for the provincial home support program, most of the equipment will be arranged for by the home care coordinator, with no direct cost to you. Additional equipment should be available through local supply companies, and most private medical insurance policies will cover the cost of rental or purchase. The Assistive Devices program in your province is another option to explore. Certain items can be purchased at reduced cost with a written doctor's order.
If you are receiving financial assistance from the government, your "special needs" will be responded to with appropriate supporting documentation. Ask your worker about this.
Government-Funded Home Care/Home Support Programs Often, care in the home can be organized quite easily, especially if the services of professional caregivers are not required. In some cases, however, when the patient's medical condition is such that he or she is in need of services such as nursing,
