Home first

 
What is Home First? 
 
Home First is about providing the care and support you need to stay home. If you are a patient in hospital, it is about starting the discharge plan with the goal of getting you back home. 
 
We know for most people living at home is where they want to be.  
 
We also  understand finding and putting all the right programs and services in place can at times feel overwhelming.  We are here to help. 
 
Call us at 1-800-225-7225 to get started, or if you are in hospital ask for a referral to Home First. We will help you determine the best next step to take if you are: 
 
Experiencing health changes that affect your ability to meet your needs or 
Helping a loved one who wishes to remain at home or return home from hospital, but needs help to make this happen
 
How does Home First work?
 
We understand that everyone’s needs are different and change over time. By contacting us, we can connect you to the right supports and services  to provide care where you live. 
 
Our referral assistants will answer your questions and provide you with as much information as they can.  They will then arrange for a Care Coordinator to contact you to arrange an assessment. Care Cordinators are licensed healthcare professionals who can help guide you and your family to the information and services that best meet your needs.
 
What services are available?
 
We work with you and your family to identify how to best support you at home, where possible. We offer a range of services including:
 
Home support services that provide  personal care, respite for a family or friend caregiver, meal preparation, and essential housekeeping. 
Nursing services: Based on your physician’s orders, a nurse  can provide services such as catheter care, intravenous therapy, palliative care, dressing changes, and overall health monitoring. 
 
We also offer other services to help support you and your family such as the Caregiver Benefit program, Home Oxygen program, and others.
 
“[Home First] has kept my parents together, helped to maintain my mother’s health and mobility, and has allowed us to honour her wishes.”
 
How can I get more information?
 
Our 1-800-225-7225 information and intake line, is open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also find a full list of services and supports on our website, at http://www.nshealth.ca/continuing-care.