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Community Support and
Care Services

When you or your loved one is diagnosed with dementia, you may not know where to begin to seek help and support. This can lead to feelings of helplessness, worry, and confusion.

Fortunately, there are various community resources and services for older adults, individuals with dementia, and their caregivers, as well as resources that connect you with these services.

 

Community Support and Care Services

When you or your loved one is diagnosed with dementia, you may not know where to begin to seek help and support. This can lead to feelings of helplessness, worry, and confusion.

Fortunately, there are various community resources and services for older adults, individuals with dementia, and their caregivers, as well as resources that connect you with these services.

 

On this page:

1. Service Navigation

5. Adult Day Programs

2. Financial Support

6. Long-term Care Home

3. Memory Clinics

7. Palliative Care

4. Home Care

  

On this page:

  1. Service Navigation
  2. Financial Support
  3. Memory Clinics
  4. Home Care
  5. Adult Day Programs
  6. Long-term Care Home
  7. Palliative Care

Service Navigation 

Contacting organizations and asking for information and referral services is a great first step when seeking support. They can help identify you and your loved one’s needs, provide more information, and refer you to the appropriate services based on your needs.

Information and Referral Services in Different Provinces:

Ontario

 

British Columbia

Alberta

 

Quebec

Manitoba

Service Navigation 

Contacting organizations and asking for information and referral services is a great first step when seeking support. They can help identify you and your loved one’s needs, provide more information, and refer you to the appropriate services based on your needs.

Information and Referral Services in Different Provinces:

Ontario

 

British Columbia

Alberta

Quebec

Manitoba

Financial Support

You may encounter financial stress when you or your loved one is diagnosed with dementia. Different provinces or territorial governments have different financial support and government funding programs for individuals with dementia and their caregivers.

Such supports may include federal tax credits, or subsidized services for transportation and/or physical and dental health. Eligibility requirements for each service may vary depending on the provincial government or territorial government and service provider. Some subsidized services may require you to have Canada’s provincial or territorial health plans.

Financial Supports in Different Provinces:

Ontario

British Columbia

Alberta

Quebec

Manitoba

Financial Support

You may encounter financial stress when you or your loved one is diagnosed with dementia. Different provinces or territorial governments have different financial support and government funding programs for individuals with dementia and their caregivers.

Such supports may include federal tax credits, or subsidized services for transportation and/or physical and dental health. Eligibility requirements for each service may vary depending on the provincial government or territorial government and service provider. Some subsidized services may require you to have Canada’s provincial or territorial health plans.

Financial Supports in Different Provinces:

Ontario

British Columbia

Alberta

Quebec

Manitoba

Memory Clinics

Memory clinics have a team of healthcare specialists who provide diagnosis assessments for dementia and follow-up treatments for patients. These healthcare specialists will determine whether individuals have dementia by conducting memory tests and neurological exams.

If individuals are diagnosed with dementia, the memory clinic will discuss the assessment results with the individual and explore available treatment options, which may involve other professionals such as social workers, physicians, and occupational therapists.

Memory clinics can also help caregivers get a better understanding of their loved ones’ situation and receive guidance on how to support their loved ones.

In most cases, you will require a referral from your family doctor or other healthcare professional before receiving an assessment at a memory clinic. Some memory clinics are subsidized by the provincial government or territorial government, so individuals should bring their health cards and check to see if services are available at no cost.

Memory Clinics in Different Provinces:

Ontario

British Columbia

Alberta

Quebec

Manitoba

Memory Clinics

Memory clinics have a team of healthcare specialists who provide diagnosis assessments for dementia and follow-up treatments for patients. These healthcare specialists will determine whether individuals have dementia by conducting memory tests and neurological exams.

If individuals are diagnosed with dementia, the memory clinic will discuss the assessment results with the individual and explore available treatment options, which may involve other professionals such as social workers, physicians, and occupational therapists.

Memory clinics can also help caregivers get a better understanding of their loved ones’ situation and receive guidance on how to support their loved ones.

In most cases, you will require a referral from your family doctor or other healthcare professional before receiving an assessment at a memory clinic. Some memory clinics are subsidized by the provincial government or territorial government, so individuals should bring their health cards and check to see if services are available at no cost.

Memory Clinics in Different Provinces:

Ontario

British Columbia

Alberta

Quebec

Manitoba

Home Care

Home care refers to a range of healthcare and personal support services provided to individuals with dementia in their own homes. Home care can include personal care services, such as oral care, bathing, dressing, medication assistance, and mobility support.

Home care can also include homemaking services such as cleaning, laundry, shopping, and meal preparation. Other in-home services may include medical care provided by healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and nurses.

Home care services can help individuals with dementia maintain their independence and quality of life within their own homes. Home care also provides essential support for caregivers, allowing them to take a break from caregiving.

Generally, you can reach out to your local organization responsible for coordinating home care services to access the support you or your loved ones need. The care coordinator will discuss you or your loved one’s healthcare needs and complete assessments to determine eligibility. Home care and support services are available from both publicly subsidized and private pay providers.

Home Care Services in Different Provinces:

Ontario

British Columbia

Alberta

Quebec

Manitoba

Home Care

Home care refers to a range of healthcare and personal support services provided to individuals with dementia in their own homes. Home care can include personal care services, such as oral care, bathing, dressing, medication assistance, and mobility support.

Home care can also include homemaking services such as cleaning, laundry, shopping, and meal preparation. Other in-home services may include medical care provided by healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and nurses.

Home care services can help individuals with dementia maintain their independence and quality of life within their own homes. Home care also provides essential support for caregivers, allowing them to take a break from caregiving.

Generally, you can reach out to your local organization responsible for coordinating home care services to access the support you or your loved ones need. The care coordinator will discuss you or your loved one’s healthcare needs and complete assessments to determine eligibility. Home care and support services are available from both publicly subsidized and private pay providers.

Home Care Services in Different Provinces:

Ontario

British Columbia

Alberta

Quebec

Manitoba

Adult Day Programs

Adult day programs provide a half or full day of structured and supervised social, recreational, physical, and educational activities for individuals living with dementia in a group setting. Participants receive meals, snacks, and assistance with activities of daily living during the program.

There are also culturally appropriate adult day programs for Chinese individuals with dementia. These day programs will provide culturally specific activities such as Chinese painting and tai chi, and have Cantonese or Mandarin-speaking staff.

Adult day programs help prevent social isolation, maintain mental and physical functioning of individuals with dementia, and encourages independent living in the community. Additionally, these programs provide respite for caregivers and allow them to take breaks for self-care, which can support their mental health and well-being.

Often times, family doctors or local organizations responsible for care coordination can provide information and referrals to adult day programs. Care coordinators will assess the individual’s eligibility and assist with the admission process.

Adult day programs may be funded by the provincial government or territorial government , but in many cases, participants are required to pay a co-payment for each day they attend. Some adult day programs also offer transportation services to and from the individual’s home at a reduced cost. The costs and types of activities may vary depending on the organization.

Adult Day Programs in Different Provinces:

Ontario

British Columbia

Alberta

Quebec

Adult Day Programs

Adult day programs provide a half or full day of structured and supervised social, recreational, physical, and educational activities for individuals living with dementia in a group setting. Participants receive meals, snacks, and assistance with activities of daily living during the program.

There are also culturally appropriate adult day programs for Chinese individuals with dementia. These day programs will provide culturally specific activities such as Chinese painting and tai chi, and have Cantonese or Mandarin-speaking staff.

Adult day programs help prevent social isolation, maintain mental and physical functioning of individuals with dementia, and encourages independent living in the community. Additionally, these programs provide respite for caregivers and allow them to take breaks for self-care, which can support their mental health and well-being.

Often times, family doctors or local organizations responsible for care coordination can provide information and referrals to adult day programs. Care coordinators will assess the individual’s eligibility and assist with the admission process.

Adult day programs may be funded by the provincial government or territorial government , but in many cases, participants are required to pay a co-payment for each day they attend. Some adult day programs also offer transportation services to and from the individual’s home at a reduced cost. The costs and types of activities may vary depending on the organization.

Adult Day Programs in Different Provinces:

Ontario

British Columbia

Alberta

Quebec

Long-term Care Home

Long-term care homes (also known as “nursing homes” or “residential care homes”) provide 24-hour nursing, personal and medical care, and other support services for individuals with complex care needs.

Long-term care homes are staffed by an interdisciplinary team including registered nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, social workers, and personal support workers who provide a range of supports, including medical and nursing care, social services, recreation programs, dietary services, and housekeeping services.

There are long-term care homes that provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services for Chinese individuals. These homes respect and address the cultural, linguistic, and spiritual practices and needs of Chinese residents.

When should long-term care services be considered?

Due to cognitive or functional decline, individuals with dementia may have high care needs and encounter challenges while living in the community. As a result, they may require extensive care, including 24-hour nursing and personal care.

When you or your loved one’s care needs cannot be met in the community, a long-term care home can be an alternative caregiving option. It is important to remember that there are no right or wrong decisions. Your choice should prioritize meeting the needs of you or your loved one.

When choosing a long-term care home, there are many factors to consider, such as location, culture and language, food options, room type, and cost and subsidies.

Short stays in long-term care homes

When there is an abrupt change in the support system of individuals with dementia, caregivers can consider applying for a short stay in long-term care homes. This service provides care for individuals with dementia within a long-term care home for a short-term period.

How to apply for long-term care home admission

In most cases, you can reach out to your family doctor or local organization responsible for care coordination to access long-term care homes. A care coordinator will review you or your loved one’s needs and conduct assessments (such as interRAI and capacity assessments) to determine eligibility.

Long-Term Care Homes in Different Provinces:

Ontario

British Columbia

Alberta

Quebec

Manitoba

Long-term Care Home

Long-term care homes (also known as “nursing homes” or “residential care homes”) provide 24-hour nursing, personal and medical care, and other support services for individuals with complex care needs.

Long-term care homes are staffed by an interdisciplinary team including registered nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, social workers, and personal support workers who provide a range of supports, including medical and nursing care, social services, recreation programs, dietary services, and housekeeping services.

There are long-term care homes that provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services for Chinese individuals. These homes respect and address the cultural, linguistic, and spiritual practices and needs of Chinese residents.

When should long-term care services be considered?

Due to cognitive or functional decline, individuals with dementia may have high care needs and encounter challenges while living in the community. As a result, they may require extensive care, including 24-hour nursing and personal care.

When you or your loved one’s care needs cannot be met in the community, a long-term care home can be an alternative caregiving option. It is important to remember that there are no right or wrong decisions. Your choice should prioritize meeting the needs of you or your loved one.

When choosing a long-term care home, there are many factors to consider, such as location, culture and language, food options, room type, and cost and subsidies.

Short stays in long-term care homes

When there is an abrupt change in the support system of individuals with dementia, caregivers can consider applying for a short stay in long-term care homes. This service provides care for individuals with dementia within a long-term care home for a short-term period.

How to apply for long-term care home admission

In most cases, you can reach out to your family doctor or local organization responsible for care coordination to access long-term care homes. A care coordinator will review you or your loved one’s needs and conduct assessments (such as interRAI and capacity assessments) to determine eligibility.

Long-Term Care Homes in Different Provinces:

Ontario

British Columbia

Alberta

Quebec

Manitoba

Palliative Care

Palliative care[1] is a specialized healthcare approach for individuals and families facing advanced, life-limiting illnesses. Palliative care focuses on meeting the individual’s needs, rather than their prognosis.

Palliative care does not cause death to occur or make death happen sooner. The primary objective of palliative care is to provide comfort and maintain the highest possible quality of life for both the individual and their family.

By focusing on pain and symptom management, psychological support, and caregiver support, palliative care addresses an individual’s physical and psychological needs while respecting their end-of-life wishes.

Palliative care is delivered in a variety of care settings, including the individual’s home, or in hospitals, hospices, and long-term care homes. Generally, family doctors, local organizations responsible for care coordination, or local hospitals can provide information and referrals to palliative care services.

 

Palliative Care in Different Provinces:

Ontario

British Columbia

Alberta

Quebec

Manitoba

Palliative Care

Palliative care[1] is a specialized healthcare approach for individuals and families facing advanced, life-limiting illnesses. Palliative care focuses on meeting the individual’s needs, rather than their prognosis.

Palliative care does not cause death to occur or make death happen sooner. The primary objective of palliative care is to provide comfort and maintain the highest possible quality of life for both the individual and their family.

By focusing on pain and symptom management, psychological support, and caregiver support, palliative care addresses an individual’s physical and psychological needs while respecting their end-of-life wishes.

Palliative care is delivered in a variety of care settings, including the individual’s home, or in hospitals, hospices, and long-term care homes. Generally, family doctors, local organizations responsible for care coordination, or local hospitals can provide information and referrals to palliative care services.

 

Palliative Care in Different Provinces:

Ontario

British Columbia

Alberta

Quebec

Manitoba

References

[1] Hospice Palliative Care. Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. (2023, May 9). https://www.chpca.ca/about-hpc/

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