Recent Trends in Retirement and Community-Based Care: The Growing Presence of Nurses in Independent Practice
As Canada's population continues to age, more seniors are choosing to remain in their homes, retirement residences, and community living settings for as long as possible. This shift has increased awareness of the various supports available to help individuals maintain their independence, health, and quality of life within the communities they call home.
Throughout my nursing career, I have worked in retirement homes, long-term care, and community-based settings. One trend I have observed is an increasing awareness of the services provided by nurses in independent practice. These nurses offer a variety of nursing services directly to clients and families while operating their own professional nursing practices.
Understanding the Difference Between Retirement and Long-Term Care
Retirement homes are designed for individuals who are generally able to live independently but may benefit from assistance with meals, medication management, housekeeping, personal support, or other services that help them maintain their lifestyle and independence.
Long-term care homes provide 24-hour nursing and personal care for individuals whose health needs can no longer be safely managed in the community. Residents often require more comprehensive support due to chronic illness, cognitive impairment, mobility limitations, or complex medical conditions.
Unlike long-term care homes, which provide 24-hour nursing and personal support services, retirement and community living settings often rely on a combination of personal supports, family involvement, community resources, and privately arranged services to help meet an individual's needs.
What Is a Nurse in Independent Practice?
The College of Nurses of Ontario recognizes independent practice as a professional nursing practice model in which nurses provide nursing services directly to clients while maintaining accountability for their own practice.
Like all nurses, nurses in independent practice are required to practice within their scope, maintain professional standards, adhere to documentation requirements, carry appropriate professional liability protection, and remain accountable to the College of Nurses of Ontario.
While many people are familiar with nurses working in hospitals, clinics, long-term care homes, or community agencies, fewer people realize that some nurses choose to establish independent nursing practices that provide services directly to individuals and families.
Services May Vary from One Nursing Practice to Another
Depending on a nurse's education, experience, competencies, and area of focus, services may vary significantly from one independent practice to another.
In my own practice, services may include:
Nursing foot care
Foot health assessments
Health teaching and client education
Wellness assessments
Care coordination
Referrals to appropriate health-care providers
Advocacy and support for clients and families
Follow-up monitoring and reassessment
Other nurses in independent practice may focus on different areas of nursing care depending on their qualifications, experience, and professional interests.
Supporting Independence and Aging in Place
Many older adults express a desire to remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible. This concept, often referred to as "aging in place," has become an important focus within health care.
Nurses in independent practice may help support this goal by providing nursing services directly within the client's home, retirement residence, or community living environment.
Through assessment, education, monitoring, advocacy, and coordination of services, nurses can help identify concerns early and connect individuals with appropriate resources when needed.
This proactive approach can support safety, mobility, independence, and overall well-being.
Building Relationships with Clients and Families
When services are delivered within a person's home or living environment, nurses often gain a deeper understanding of the individual's circumstances, goals, and challenges. This can create opportunities for collaborative care planning, ongoing education, and early identification of changes that may require further attention.
Strong communication between clients, families, nurses, physicians, and other members of the health-care team remains an important component of quality care.
Looking Ahead
As Ontario's population continues to age, there will likely be continued interest in services that help individuals remain healthy, independent, and engaged within their communities.
Nurses in independent practice represent one of many options available to individuals seeking nursing services outside of traditional health-care settings. By providing care directly within homes, retirement residences, and community living environments, these nurses contribute to a person-centred approach that recognizes the importance of meeting individuals where they are.
For families exploring available supports, understanding the role of nurses in independent practice may open the door to additional resources that can help individuals maintain their health, independence, and quality of life for years to come.
About the Author
Donna Rumble, RPN is a nurse in independent practice and founder of DSUPREME®. With experience in retirement, long-term care, and community-based nursing settings, she is passionate about supporting individuals and families through nursing foot care, health education, advocacy, care coordination, and person-centred care.
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