Senior Home Care Options: Self-Managed Care vs. Client-Directed Home Care
In Alberta, several senior home care options are available under Alberta Health Services (AHS) coverage. While many Alberta seniors have long been covered by the province’s Self-Managed Care (SMC) program, some are moving to Client Directed Home Care (CDHCI)—a program introduced by AHS in early 2023. In this article, we’re explaining the difference between these two programs to help you make the right choice for your loved one’s senior care at home.
What is Self-Managed Care?
SMC provides funds to seniors who require personal care. The funds can be used to cover in-home assistance with activities of daily living such as mobility, eating, and personal hygiene, as well as meal preparation, housekeeping, companionship, and respite care.
This program is available to Alberta seniors who have a valid Alberta Health Care card and meet AHS’s requirements, which include:
- Residency in a public community
- Stable, predictable health needs
- A need for ongoing home care support services
- Willingness to assume the risks associated with employing caregivers
SMC has a maximum service threshold of 263 hours per month, or $4,500. Seniors must recruit, train, and supervise all caregivers under this program, managing salary and payroll independently. Furthermore, they need to ensure they’re meeting the Canada Revenue Agency’s tax requirements and Alberta employment standards.
What is Client-Directed Home Care Invoicing?
CDHCI is available to any person who’s eligible for SMC or other AHS community home care programs to work with private home care service providers. It covers the same services, including personal care, homemaker services, companionship, and respite care, as the SMC program.
CDHCI makes it easier for seniors to access senior home care services without the added burden of hiring caregivers as employees and managing related administrative duties. Instead, they can have their services direct billed and, in many cases, stretch their budgets further. Furthermore, CDHCI gives seniors access to any provider they choose.
Finding Reliable Senior Care at Home Under CDHCI
If you or a loved one has been approved for CDHCI, it’s important to find a reliable and professional senior home care provider. Look for a home care agency that’s a CDHCI provider to ensure your invoices can be direct billed to Alberta Healthcare, and to make things easier, ensure the agency you select provides all the services you require so you don’t have to work with multiple providers.
At Umbrella Home Care, we’re a proud CDHCI provider. We offer an array of senior home care services, including personal care, housekeeping, meal preparation, and respite care. If you or a loved one is looking for senior care at home through CDHCI, contact us today for a free consultation.
