Senior care in Montreal: arrange the right support

Describe the care you need before hiring

Write down the activities your relative wants help with: preparing meals, shopping, washing, dressing, companionship or attending appointments. Include their preferred language, usual waking time and who they want involved in decisions. Separate what family members agree to do from the work you want a paid caregiver to perform.

For wound care, recovery after surgery or difficulty moving around, ask the home-support team about clinical assessment. The West Island program lists nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychosocial services and help with hygiene among its services. Ask which services suit your relative's needs and who would deliver them. [2]

Describe medication help precisely. Tell the assessor whether your relative needs a reminder, supervision or help carrying out a prescribed treatment. The West Island service list includes supervision of medication taking. Ask the assessor to clarify the appropriate worker and instructions before assigning medication tasks to a private caregiver. [2]

Request an assessment and plan uncovered hours

The West Island program considers people with loss of autonomy, a disability, a chronic illness, convalescence needs or end-of-life needs, regardless of age. Staff assess each situation individually. A request does not establish eligibility or a particular number of care hours. [2]

Its access professional contacts the applicant or representative, examines the request and checks eligibility. For an eligible request, the process includes assignment of a coordinating worker according to priority, detailed assessment, an individualized intervention plan and ongoing reassessment. Staff direct applicants to another appropriate resource if the request is ineligible. [2]

During that conversation, ask what help you can expect, the proposed start date and whom to contact if needs change. Before signing a private agreement, identify the periods you still need to cover: breakfast, bathing, evenings or a family caregiver's absence. If you need help while awaiting assessment, describe that temporary arrangement in the quote request.

Compare private caregiver offers on the same scope

Send each candidate the same description of tasks and requested visit times. Ask for a written price covering minimum visit length, weekend or overnight charges, travel, cancellations and any other fees. Request a total for your proposed weekly schedule, with the worker's duties listed beside it.

Ask who will attend, what training they have for the requested tasks and how the provider checks references. Request information about liability coverage and supervision. For help with transfers, memory-related needs or clinical tasks, ask the assessor what skills and arrangements to request. Do not assign duties based on a job title alone.

Agree on how the worker will enter the home, contact family and record completed tasks with your relative's consent. Ask who replaces an absent worker and what happens if a visit runs late. Choose an initial review date so your relative can comment on the care and you can adjust the schedule.

Consider day-centre attendance alongside home visits

The Centre de jour Pierre-Joseph-Triest offers adapted exercise, memory and sensory activities, health discussions, and activities for some neurological and mild-to-moderate neurocognitive conditions. Staff match participation to needs. Activities last half a day, Monday through Friday, excluding public holidays. [3]

The centre proposes attendance once a week and may offer a second weekly session under certain conditions. Ask about admission, the session timetable and the help your relative would receive during attendance. Before reducing home visits, arrange coverage for preparation, departure and the return home. [3]

The published meal fee is CAD 7, and participants can bring a cold lunch. The centre lists a CAD 3 daily round-trip minibus fee for participants who cannot use adapted transport, subject to conditions. These are specific day-centre charges. Ask the centre to confirm eligibility, availability and fees before budgeting. [3]

Published meal and minibus fees at Pierre-Joseph-Triest

Choose the next step by the help needed

Your hiring checklist

1. Ask your relative which tasks they want help with and whom they consent to involve.
2. Prepare a task list, preferred language, care schedule and relevant discharge instructions.
3. Contact the CLSC serving the home address and ask about assessment and interim arrangements.
4. Identify the visits and hours you still need after discussing the proposed support plan.
5. Request comparable written quotes, including minimum visits, extra fees and cancellation terms.
6. Ask about task-specific training, references, liability coverage and replacement workers.
7. Agree on access to the home, visit records, family contact and an initial care review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need a doctor's referral to start a home-support request?

The West Island program allows the person needing help or a caregiver to initiate a request. A health professional or community worker can also request support. Contact the access desk and ask what information staff need to assess your situation. [2]

Does a home-support request guarantee services?

Staff assess each situation and validate eligibility. The West Island process assigns eligible applicants a coordinating worker according to priority and develops an individualized plan. Ask staff about the services and timing for your relative before relying on a particular schedule. [2]

How much should we budget for private home care?

Obtain written quotes for your task list and weekly schedule. The cited sources do not establish private home-care rates. Ask providers to include minimum visit lengths, travel, weekend or overnight charges and cancellation fees so you can compare total costs.

Can a day-centre session cover a full day?

Pierre-Joseph-Triest describes half-day activities and proposes weekly attendance, with a possible second session under conditions. Confirm the timetable, admission and transport before changing home-care visits or family coverage. [3]