Community Nursing

Community nursing services are provided by a licensed nursing professional to clients in the community who require acute, chronic, palliative or rehabilitative support. Services include assessment and nursing interventions such as education, wound care, medication management, chronic disease management, care management, post-surgical care and palliative care. Generally, community nursing services will be provided on a short-term basis and the community nurses will assist you and your family to be confident in taking over your care at home.
 
Community nursing services may be provided in a variety of settings such as clinics, the client’s home, assisted living residences, family care homes, group homes, or other community settings.

Is this care right for me?

Services are available on a non-emergency basis for individuals in the following circumstances:

• following discharge from an acute care hospital;
• at home or in a clinic setting to prevent or reduce the need for hospital or emergency department services or admission to a long-term care home;
• because of a life-limiting illness; or
• to meet time-limited acute nursing needs.

What are the community nursing eligibility criteria?

You are eligible for community nursing services if you meet the general eligibility criteria for home and community care services, your assessment for home and community care services determines that you would benefit from the service, and you meet all of the following criteria:

• Care can be provided with reasonable safety, within established standards, policies, and guidelines for nursing practice.
• Staff are adequately prepared to manage any of your specialized nursing functions and/or technological needs.
• Your behaviour and/or home environment does not jeopardize the safety of the community nursing staff. Potential risks have been assessed and any necessary risk mitigation strategies can be successfully implemented.
• You/your family agree to participate in self care activities as appropriate, considering such factors as:
• current health and functional status of both you and your caregiver;
• interest and ability to manage your condition;
• willingness to participate in activities identified in the care plan;
• participation in planning for discharge from the services;
• mobility;
• specialized technology needs; and
• You/your family have agreed to provide or arrange for ongoing care and support between visits of the nursing staff.

If you require community nursing services, the three-month residency requirement (in the general eligibility criteria for home and community care services) does not apply to you. Your health care professional can provide you with more information.

To read the general eligibility criteria for all home and community care services, go to:

• Are You Eligible?

How do I arrange for community nursing services?

If you are interested in receiving community nursing services or know of someone who might be in need of these services, you can contact the home and community care office of your health authority or you can have a health care professional make a referral on your behalf.

For contact information and a detailed description of how to arrange for community nursing services, please see:

• How to Arrange for Care

Is there a cost for community nursing services?

There is no cost for community nursing services but there may be a cost for items such as equipment except for the first two weeks of time-limited acute services and/or during the time a client is receiving end-of-life care.