Helping seniors find the most suitable accommodation – Part 1

Many seniors and others in need do not feel ready to leave their home for an institutional setting but do need support to remain at home. Trying to follow their wishes and choose the least restrictive approach first is advisable. However, family members must be realistic about their loved ones’ abilities and should assess their senior’s ability to age in place.

To determine if an elderly person can continue living at home requires examining all aspects of their present housing situation and how each one affects their safety and quality of life is key.

1. Medication management should be assessed: Do they remember to take their medications at prescribed doses and times?
2. Meal preparation: Is it possible for them to cook for themselves? Are they preparing and eating balanced meals? Are they able to safely operate kitchen appliances?
3. Safety and mobility: Do they have difficulty getting around the home or taking stairs? Have they fallen in the home? Do they have a plan in place to call help in case of an emergency? If mobility is an issue, can the home be equipped with safety devices like grab bars or an emergency response system and would the senior person be open to using them?
4. Personal hygiene. Can they autonomously take care of their personal hygiene routine (bathing often enough, grooming adequately, laundering their clothes and linens)?
5. Transportation: Are they still driving? Are they safe behind the wheel?
6. Socialization: Are they participating in activities, seeing friends and exercising or are they isolated from others most of the time? Are they showing signs of depression?
7. Home management: Is the house clean or in general disarray?
8. Financial management: Are their bills paid on time?

Who qualifies to assist seniors at home?
Professional agencies like Premier Home Care help seniors continue to stay and function at home with the support of qualified caregivers who go through initial and ongoing training. Caregivers at Premier Home care may have different certifications such as Alzheimer care, cancer care, diabetes, heart care and others. They are interviewed in person and if then selected, they undergo references and a criminal background check performed by an independent company.

What is the process?
Mark Wathen, co-owner of Premier Home Care, explains that once the company completes its free client assessment and home safety inspection for fall prevention and bathroom safety, they meet again with all decision makers involved to present their personalized recommendations. A customized care plan is designed outlining all the agreed upon services and the weekly schedule (3-hour minimum shift).

Services provided
The caregivers provide non-medical homecare: companionship (including reading together, games and puzzles, help with, cooking together and watching TV), meal preparation, light housekeeping, grooming & dressing, transportation to appointments or errands, medication reminder and other activities of daily living.

Quality control
Mark mentioned that in order to keep track of the quality of care they come to the home for unannounced visits, check the Care Plan book and the log, and communicate with the client and the family directly. Time keeping is automated with software specifically designed for the home care industry, so they always know when a caregiver’s shift starts and ends and are immediately alerted if there are any discrepancies. There is an application for smartphones, so the client always has access to the caregiver and schedule.

Who can benefit from such services and where?
The clients are primarily seniors who want to remain safe and independent in their homes for as long as possible. Whether home is the family house, a condo, a senior’s residence or an assisted living facility, we can provide our services wherever they are required. Once they start getting help with activities of daily living, seniors can remain in their current residence for years, surrounded by their memories, family and friends, more affordably than moving to an increased care facility.

The cost factor
Generally, rates vary between $23-$28 per hour for “standard” care for an individual. Usually there are additional costs for couples and/or special Alzheimer care. Many companies will require a minimum of 3 or 4 hours per shift – this is in consideration of the caregivers having to travel to and from the client’s residence.

For people aged 70 and over, choosing to remain at home has never been so easy. In Québec, you can potentially receive up to 35% of your eligible expenses as a tax credit related to home care services. Most services and products are eligible.

Sometimes home care can last only for a limited time due to changes in the senior’s health condition or additional needs. On other occasions the answers to questions 1-8 (at the beginning) may indicate social isolation, apathy, or loneliness which may lead to prefer life at an active residence. Once the choice has been made to move to a seniors’ residence the search for the appropriate residence begins. More often than not the senior and the family can feel overwhelmed by this process, by the need to ask the right questions and know what to look for and compare before meeting a final decision. In part 2 of this blog we will try to offer some insight into the differences between residences, cost, and levels of care so you will feel better informed and know what to expect and plan for.

Useful links:

• Programs and Services for Seniors in QC
• Tax credit for home-support services for seniors
• Home care | Alberta Health Services
• Alberta – Continuing Care 
• Alberta – Seniors Support