Home Help and Care
In Switzerland, medical treatment and care is widely available in the community as well as in hospital. Family doctors are in charge of medical treatment; care is provided by home care services known as “Spitex”.
Spitex is available for
- people who return home from hospital after illness or operation and who need continued professional care
- elderly people living in their own home but who need help with housework
- people who need help with housework as a result of an illness
- pregnant women who must remain inactive
- mothers needing additional help after the birth of a child
- parents with a sick child needing additional help
Service providers will :
- give appropriate care and nursing
- help with housework and cleaning
- organise a meal service
Home care services are run by both private and state-subsidised organisations.
There is an umbrella group representing all non-profit home care organisations, grouping 650 local SPITEX organisations. These employ some 27,000 people.