Your mother's arthritis makes clinic visits painful. Your father struggles with the anxiety of being in unfamiliar places. Your aging parent simply can't navigate transportation and waiting rooms anymore.
You wonder: Can we get a doctor to come to the house?
The short answer: Yes. And it's becoming more available, especially in Calgary.
The longer answer explains why house calls are valuable, when they're available, and how to access them.
Why House Calls Make Sense for Seniors
Traditional healthcare assumes patients can travel to appointments. But many seniors can't or shouldn't:
âś— Mobility issues make travel painful or impossible âś— Transportation difficulties (can't drive, no one to drive them) âś— Anxiety or agoraphobia around medical settings âś— Cognitive decline makes navigating clinics confusing âś— High fall risk in unfamiliar environments âś— Time constraints (long waits, appointments take half a day)
For these seniors, a house call solves real problems.
Beyond convenience, house calls offer medical advantages:
→ The doctor sees the senior in their real environment—how they actually live → Assessment of home safety and function is built-in → Medication management is visible (organized vs. chaotic, taken vs. missed) → Time for thorough evaluation (45 minutes vs. 15 minutes in clinic) → Less stress and anxiety = more accurate health picture → Relationship building over time (often the same doctor)
Research supports this: House call patients often have better health outcomes, fewer hospitalizations, and higher satisfaction.
The History: Why House Calls Disappeared
For most of medical history, doctors made house calls. In the mid-20th century, they largely stopped.
Why? - Clinics became more efficient (see more patients per hour) - Specialization and equipment made clinics necessary for many procedures - Insurance reimbursement favored clinic visits - House calls took time—travel time, finding addresses, etc.
The result: An entire generation of seniors has never had a house call. It feels novel, almost quaint.
But the pendulum is shifting. As the population ages and complexity increases, house calls are making a comeback—especially for seniors.
Where to Find House Calls in Calgary
1. Private House Call Clinics
Beyond Neighbours is a Calgary-based physician-led house call service specifically for seniors.
Others in Canada include: - Telus Health Virtual Care (virtual + some home visits) - Regional health authority programs (varies by province)
2. Family Medicine Clinics
Some community clinics have doctors who still do house calls. Ask your family physician if they offer them.
3. Geriatric Specialists
Some geriatricians focus on house call medicine.
4. Palliative Care Programs
If your loved one is approaching end of life, palliative care often includes house calls.
5. Hospital Discharge Programs
Some hospitals coordinate post-discharge house calls for high-risk patients.
What to Expect from a House Call
The visit typically includes:
- Comprehensive health history review
- Physical examination
- Home safety assessment
- Medication review and optimization
- Assessment of functional ability (can they get out of bed, bathe themselves, manage medications?)
- Discussion of goals and preferences
- Coordination with other healthcare providers
- Clear communication about findings and next steps
The length is usually 45 minutes to an hour—much longer than clinic visits.
Cost and Coverage
This varies:
- Private house calls: Out-of-pocket cost (typically $150-400 per visit)
- Some health insurance plans cover house calls
- Alberta Health Services covers some house calls for specific populations (palliative care, certain seniors)
- Some regional programs offer subsidized or free house calls for those who qualify
Ask your provider about coverage options.
Limitations of House Calls
Not everything can be done at home:
âś— Complex procedures requiring specialized equipment âś— Urgent emergencies (go to emergency room) âś— Lab work requiring phlebotomists and equipment âś— Imaging (X-rays, ultrasounds, MRI)
However, modern house calls can include: - EKG (portable) - Point-of-care labs (some tests on the spot) - Wound care - Medication management - Cognitive and mobility assessment - Basic physical exams
Who Benefits Most from House Calls
House calls are ideal for:
→ Seniors with severe mobility limitations → Those with anxiety or agoraphobia → Multiple chronic conditions requiring coordination → Those with cognitive decline → Post-hospital recovery periods → End-of-life care → Seniors seeking proactive, preventive care in a familiar setting
When to Pursue a House Call
Consider requesting a house call if: - Your loved one hasn't seen a doctor in over a year - They're avoiding care due to mobility or anxiety - They're recently discharged from hospital and need follow-up - Their health is complex and could benefit from holistic oversight - They're at high risk for falls or medical crises - You want a doctor who really understands their home situation
How to Access House Calls in Calgary
1. Ask your family physician if they offer house calls 2. Contact geriatric clinics—some specialize in house call medicine 3. Search "house calls Calgary" or "doctor home visits Calgary" 4. Ask your regional health authority about programs 5. If your loved one is palliative, ask about palliative house call teams
At Beyond Neighbours, we specialize in house calls for seniors in Calgary. We can discuss whether a house call is right for your loved one and what to expect.
The Bottom Line
House calls are alive and well in Calgary. If your loved one would benefit from care at home, it's worth exploring.
The convenience is obvious. But the real benefit is medical: A doctor who sees how you actually live, spends real time with you, and coordinates your overall health.
That's the medicine seniors deserve.
================================================================================ POST 9: How to Discuss Senior Care with Your Loved One: A Compassionate Approach