Definitions of Services:

Family Physicians
Normally the first point of contact with the health care system. Focus on prevention, early detection and treatment of general health care problems through regular physical examination. For diagnosis and treatment of specific conditions, family physicians may refer patients to a specialist.

See Services >> Family Physicians

Functional Assessment
Evaluates the individual's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) and the individual's ability to care for himself/herself. "Activities of daily living," or ADLs, are the basic tasks of everyday life, such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, and transferring.

See Services >> Functional Assessment

Geriatric Medical Assessment
Evaluates the individual's medical status, using specialized knowledge of the health and illnesses of the elderly.

See Services >> Geriatric Medical Assessment

Multi-Disciplinary Assessment
Evaluates the individual from the perspective of more than one health profession. Nurses, physicians, nutritionists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists are frequently involved.

See Services >> Multi-Disciplinary Assessment

Neurological Assessment
A physical examination by a neurologist or other physician, which evaluates the neurological status of the individual, using specialized knowledge of the function and distribution of the nerves in the body.

See Services >> Neurological Assessment

Neuropsychiatric Assessment
Psychiatric assessment that uses specific questions to highlight or identify specific neurological deficits which have psychiatric signs and symptoms.

See Services >> Neuropsychiatric Assessment

Neuropsychological Assessment
Specific psychological tests that localize areas of dysfunction in the brain.

See Services >> Neuropsychological Assessment

Psychiatric Assessment
An oral examination by a psychiatrist or other physician, designed to elicit or identify psychiatric dysfunction, such as anxiety or depression. (Depression or anxiety can present as dementia, but they are in fact "pseudo" dementias.) Comprised of a full history and mental status examination.

See Services >> Psychiatric Assessment

Psychogeriatric Assessment
Experts in aged care psychiatry who assess and treat individuals over 65 with mental health problems, including depression and dementia.

See Services >> Psychogeriatric Assessment

Treatment services for individuals who have already been diagnosed with a form of dementia and who may be experiencing issues around their diagnosis, behaviour or medication management.

 Behavioural Assessment Unit, In-patient  
An in-patient behavioural assessment unit in a hospital/healthcentre rehabilitation centre provides an inter-disciplinary evaluation of people with dementia who have complex or severe behavioural issues and develop comprehensive treatment plans take into consideration the needs of both the client and caregiver. Treatment plans are used in the development of a discharge plan and include an education component and referral to community resources.
May include: Medical and Behaviour Assessments; Diagnostic work-up, using various behavioural tools for diagnostic purposes to make a diagnosis and develop a plan of care/interventions; Medication review and management ; Education and transitional plans to discharge patient back to the community/home or long-term care home.

See Services >> Behavioural Assessment Unit, In-patient

Behavioural Management Services
Behavioural Management Services aid people with dementia and or their caregivers in the assessment and treatment of behavioural disturbances, psychoses or depression.
May include: in and out patient care depending on the organization.

See Services >> Behavioural Management

Complex Continuing Care
Complex Continuing Care is a higher level of care than what is provided by Long-Term Care Centres and other nursing facilities. Generally, residents require 24-hour nursing care and access to complex medical and diagnostic services not offered elsewhere. Residents may have physical, cognitive or behavioural conditions that limit their ability to live independently in the community.

See Services >> Complex Continuing Care

Day Hospital
A day program intended to assess and/or treat the individual through attendance at a specialized hospital unit for from 3 to 6 hours per day, for one to three days per week. Transportation and meals may be provided. Fees may apply.

See Services >> Day Hospital

Hemodialysis Treatment
Hemodialysis is a method used to treat advanced and permanent kidney failure. It cleans the blood using a machine also known as "artificial kidney".

See Services >> Hemodialysis Treatment

Medical Housecall Services
Private companies providing in-home doctors visits. Not for emergency situations. Doctors are not specialized in dementia care. Fees are usually covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan. Company does not guarantee same doctor for each visit.

See Services >> Medical Housecall Services

Memory Clinic
Memory clinics generally offer diagnosis, care and support to clients who are experiencing memory disorders, abnormal behaviours or some kind of dementia. Services vary from organization to organization.

See Services >> Memory Clinic

Multi-Disciplinary Treatment Services
Treatment by more than one health professional. Nurses, physicians, nutritionists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists are frequently involved.

See Services >> Multi-Disciplinary Treatment Services

Dental Services
Programs that specialize in mouth care including the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the teeth and gums.

See Services >> Dental Services

Dieticians / Nutritionists
The practice of dietetics is the assessment of nutrition and nutritional conditions and the treatment and prevention of nutrition-related disorders by nutritional means.

See Services >> Dieticians / Nutritionists

Footcare Specialists
A service that arranges for a person, trained in basic or advanced foot care, to care for the feet of an individual who is unable to do so himself/herself. Service may include trimming toenails, monitoring the condition of feet, bathing and massaging feet. May include the service of a chiropodist or podiatrist. Fees may apply.

See Services >> Footcare Specialists

Nursing Services
"The scope of nursing practice includes promotion of health, maintenance and restoration of health, prevention of illness and disability, alleviation of suffering, and ensuring a peaceful death when life can no longer be sustained."

See Services >> Nursing Services

Occupational Therapy
The practice of occupational therapy is the assessment of function and adaptive behaviour, and the treatment and prevention of disorders which affect function or adaptive behaviour to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment function in the areas of self care, productivity and leisure.

See Services >> Occupational Therapy

Palliative Care / Hospice
Programs that may provide a full range of palliative and supportive services for terminally-ill people who are in the final stages of illness and for their families. Services may include medical care, pain and symptom management, home nurse visitation, case management, counselling, and bereavement services for the patient and members of the family.
A hospice may be a freestanding facility, a unit in a hospital or other institution, or a program of a hospital, agency or institution. Programs vary between organizations.

See Services >> Palliative Care / Hospice

Physiotherapy
The practice of physiotherapy is the assessment of physical function and the treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of physical dysfunction, injury or pain to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment function or to relieve pain.

See Services >> Physiotherapy

Speech Pathologists
The practice of speech - language pathology is the assessment of speech and language functions and the treatment and prevention of speech and language dysfunction or disorders to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment oral motor or communication function.

See Services >> Speech Pathologists

Advance Care Planning Services
Advance care planning is the process of making choices now, while the person is capable, about how a person wishes to be cared for in the future if he/she becomes incapable of making decisions. It is also about giving someone we trust the information and authority to act on those wishes for us. This service may include help with creating Power of Attorney for Personal Care documents.

A Power of Attorney for Personal Care (sometimes called a personal power of attorney) is a legal document. With this document you give someone the power to make personal care decisions on your behalf if you become mentally incapable of making them yourself. Personal care decisions are decisions about your health care (including medical treatment), diet, housing, clothing, hygiene, and safety.

See Services >> Advance Care Planning

Capacity Assessment Services
Capacity assessment is a formal assessment of a person's mental capacity to make decisions about property and/or personal care under the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 (SDA). Under the SDA, assessments are made in some situations where, as a last resort, individuals need to have someone else make decisions for them on a long-term basis. If a person is found incapable of making decisions regarding property and/or personal care, a guardian may be appointed or a power of attorney may become effective, depending upon the circumstances.

See Services >> Capacity Assessment Services

Elder Abuse Services
Elder abuse includes any act of commission or omission that results in harm to an elderly person. Programs and services are aimed at preventing, identifying, investigating and/or mitigating the effects of elder abuse. Programs are specific to each organization. Please refer to each specific organization for more detailed information.

See Services >> Elder Abuse Services

Financial Aid / Subsidies
Financial aid and subsidies that might help seniors, persons with dementia and their caregivers.

See Services >> Financial Aid / Subsidies

Financial Planning
Private or not for profit agencies that may aid individuals in planning for their financial future. Services are provided by bankers, financial consultants or lawyers. These services may include help with creating Power of Attorney for Property documents.

A Power of Attorney for Property is a legal document that gives someone else the power to act on your behalf. You may give a Power of Attorney for Property if you want someone to help you manage your finances or are worried about becoming unable to manage them. Property includes your money, your home (if you own one), and anything else you own.

See Services >> Financial Planning

Income Tax Preparation / Income Tax Clinic
Professionals and/or trained volunteers help older adults and low-income individuals and their families to complete their tax return forms. Fees may apply.

See Services >> Income Tax Preparation / Income Tax Clinic

Legal Services
Agencies providing legal advice, consultation or representation. Service fees may apply. Please refer to each organization for specific information.

See Services >> Legal Services

Programs that provide advice, information and guidance to aid people in resolving whatever personal or interpersonal difficulties they may be experiencing. The counsellor can address any issue that is troubling the individual, but does not specialize in the treatment of any particular problem area.

Individual Counselling
Programs that offer individual therapeutic sessions in which the counsellor works on a one-to-one basis with clients to help them resolve their mental, emotional or social problems. The counsellor may have a social work, occupational therapy or other educational background.

Bereavement Counselling
Programs that provide emotional support, problem-solving assistance, information and guidance for individuals who have recently lost a loved one. Counselling may be in the form of one on one counselling or group work. Services are not necessarily dementia specific.

See Services >> Bereavement Counselling

Case Management
Conducting an assessment, planning and coordinating services to meet a senior's needs, goals and expected outcomes. Service may be provided at a senior's home or other location.
May include advocacy to assist seniors or caregivers in accessing needed services, to help them avoid "falling between the cracks" during service delivery.

See Services >> Case Management

 Case Management, Dementia Specific  
Dementia specific case management is a specialized, comprehensive, and complex service that involves building a trusting relationship with the client/family/network, to provide ongoing support around dementia related issues; help the client function in the least restrictive, most natural environment and; achieve an improved quality of life (i.e. on-going process of client assessment, service planning, system navigation, care coordination and monitoring).
May include: Standardized assessments (e.g. RAI-HC/CHA, functional assessments, cognitive assessments); Relationship building, care planning and goal setting; Direct service provision/intervention (services aimed to achieve the highest level of functioning possible); In-direct service provision (obtaining necessary services through linking and collaboration with other health and community providers); Monitoring and follow-up; Information and referral; Liaison, advocacy and consultation with other resources based on client's health and social needs.

See Services >> Case Management, Dementia Specific

Client Intervention and Assistance
This program offers crisis intervention, client service assistance and information for seniors, people with dementia and/or caregivers living in the community. Please note that this is not an emergency response service.
Client service assistance includes problem identification, referral and services coordination and discharge program.
May include: Supportive counselling to seniors and their caregivers; Information and referral to community resources for identified needs or issues; Coordination of services; In-home visits; Practical assistance with regard to housing, finances, medical needs, income programs and accessing community services; Practical assistance such as filling out forms and applications (income tax, old age security, income supplement); Crisis intervention; Advocacy and assistance to people who are at risk of being unable to continue living independently in the community.

See Services >> Client Intervention and Assistance

Crisis Support and Assistance
Support and assistance for a senior in a crisis situation, including planning and coordinating other services. May develop into ongoing Case Management, with a follow-up plan to prevent further crises.

See Services >> Crisis Support and Assistance

 Counselling, Dementia Specific  
Dementia Specific Counselling relates to getting a diagnosis, understanding dementia, immediate and future care of the person with dementia, and/or family coping strategies.
May include: supportive or therapeutic counselling for persons with dementia and their family partners in care ranging from pre-diagnosis, diagnosis, behaviour management, on through late stages and palliative care; information and referral to other supports for persons with dementia and their partners in care.

See Services >> Counselling, Dementia Specific

Dementia Specific Counselling
This service provides supportive or therapeutic counselling, education, information and referral to both the person with dementia and their caregiver at all stages of the disease, from before diagnosis to the late stage. Issues such as getting diagnosis, understanding dementia, immediate and future care of the person with dementia as well as family coping may be discussed.
See Services >> Dementia Specific Counselling

Dementia Specific Education and Training
Education and training on dementia and related topics. This includes workshops for persons with dementia, their caregivers and for health care professionals. Fees may be applicable. This service does not include internal staff training.
See Services >> Dementia Specific Education and Training

 Education, Dementia Specific  
Dementia specific education designed for people with dementia, caregivers and/or the broader community.
May include: One-on-one education; Formal small group discussions; Interactive workshops; Forums.
Education provided to one or more of the following: Formal caregivers (e.g., health care professionals/para-professionals); Informal caregivers (e.g., family, friend); Persons with dementia; Broader community (e.g., interested public).

See Services >> Education, Dementia Specific

Geriatric Care Management
A geriatric care manager is a professional, such as a social worker, counsellor, nurse, or gerontologist who specializes in assisting older people and their families to attain the highest quality of life given the circumstances. For a fee, they provide short-term or ongoing assistance for long distance caregivers or others requiring assistance. This is a private service and it is not covered by OHIP.
May include: assessment; care planning; screening; arrangement and monitoring of in-home help and related services; financial and legal services; conservation of funds; information and referral; education and advocacy; individual and family counselling; crisis intervention; placement and relocation.

See Services >> Geriatric Care Management

Information and Referral
A service designed to link the individual to appropriate services. Most community agencies provide this service to their clients or to individuals who call for assistance.
See Services >> Information and Referral

Mental Health Crisis Intervention
Support service that provides crisis intervention and stabilization for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

See Services >> Mental Health Crisis Intervention

Resource Centre/ Library
A resource centre provides information services and resources to the public. The collection has a primary focus on dementia specific materials in many different formats including books, videos, DVDs, journals, and reports.

See Services >> Resource Centre / Library

Adult Day Programs
A support service, which provides supervised programming in a group setting for adults to assist them to achieve and maintain their maximum level of functioning, to prevent premature and inappropriate institutionalization, and to provide respite and information for caregivers.
May include: planned social, recreational and physical activities, meals, and transportation (if required), personal support/attendant care and minor health care service (e.g., monitoring medication).
Usually located in a hospital, senior's centre or other community location, the service is provided for all or part of a day, or, in a few locations, during the evening. User fees may apply.

See Services >> Adult Day Programs

  Adult Day Programs, Dementia Specific - Daytime  
Adult day programs are supervised and supported social and recreational activities provided at a location outside the person with dementia’s home. Programs generally include meals, transportation to/from the program, some personal care, and appropriate activities). Hours of operation may vary).
May include: Recreational programming; Assistance with personal care/activities of daily living; Light physical activity; Meal(s); Transportation options; Minor health care assistance (e.g., monitoring of medications, weight and/or blood pressure).

See Services >> Adult Day Programs, Dementia Specific - Daytime

  Adult Day Programs, Dementia Specific - Overnight  
An adult day program with overnight stay includes a supervised accommodation at a location outside the person with dementia’s home. Programs generally include meals, transportation to/from the program, some personal care, and appropriate activities.
May include: Recreational programming; Assistance with personal care/activities of daily living; Light physical activity; Meal(s); Transportation options; Minor health care assistance (e.g., monitoring of medications, weight and/or blood pressure).

See Services >> Adult Day Programs, Dementia Specific - Overnight

Group Dining
A support service that provides a nutritious meal for seniors, at a central location on pre-arranged days.
May include: social, recreational or educational activities. May also include transportation to and from the location.
See Services >> Congregate Dining

Friendly Visiting
Regular visits from a trained volunteer to a senior in their home, hospital or long-term care home to provide companionship and social support. May include shopping or taking a senior out for daily living activities.

See Services >> Friendly Visiting

  Friendly Visiting, Dementia Specific  
Dementia Specific Friendly Visiting is regular home visits from a dementia trained volunteer to a person with dementia, to provide companionship and social support.
May include: Social support/interaction and companionship with persons with dementia in their own home; Escorting persons with dementia out for activities; Light shopping with the person with dementia; Accompaniment to medical appointments.

See Services >> Friendly Visiting, Dementia Specific

Support Groups for Caregivers
Programs that offer a facilitator lead group session in which unrelated groups of individuals, couples or families discuss their attitudes, feelings and problems related to their caregiver role and, with input from other members of the group, attempt to achieve greater self and interpersonal understanding and adjustment and explore solutions to their problems. May be ongoing or time limited.

See Services >> Support Groups for Caregivers

  Support Groups for Caregivers, Dementia Specific 
Support Groups held for family members or other individuals caring for persons with dementia. These support groups are designed to meet the emotional and educational needs of individuals/friends and/or family members who are providing care and support for persons with dementia. May be conducted: In person/on site or Online.

See Services >> Support Groups for Caregivers, Dementia Specific

  Support Groups for Persons with Dementia  
These support groups are developed to meet the emotional and/or educational needs of persons who have been diagnosed with a form of dementia.

See Services >> Support Groups for Persons with Dementia

Therapeutic Recreation Services for Persons with Dementia
The goal of these programs is to offer individualized meaningful activities to persons with dementia.
May include: Activation programming; Recreational therapy; Cognitive stimulation therapy.
Fees may apply.

See Services >> Therapeutic Recreation Services for Persons with Dementia

Community Care Access Centre / Home Care
Community Care Access Centres (CCAC) are not-for-profit community agencies, which are responsible for the direct provision of information and referral services, placement coordination services and case management. On behalf of individuals in the community, they are also responsible for the indirect delivery (through contracts) of:

• Professional services such as: nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, nutrition therapy, speech and language pathology;
• Personal support/homemaking services such as: light house cleaning, doing laundry, ironing, mending, shopping, banking, paying bills, planning meals, caring for children, supervision, washing, mouth care, hair care, menstrual care, preventive skin care, changing dressings, hand/foot care, etc.

CCAC's are funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and governed by government-appointed Boards of Directors.

See Services >> CCACs - In Home Services

Home Healthcare Equipment Services
Health care equipment for clients convalescing at home, including walkers, wheelchairs, commodes, crutches, bath seats, etc.

See Services >> Home Healthcare Equipment Services

Home Maintenance and Repair
Repairs and maintenance to a senior's home, performed regularly, occassionally, or just once.
May include: seasonal or heavy house cleaning, yard maintenance, snow shovelling and washing windows.

See Services >> Home Maintenance and Repair

Homemaking / Home Help
Program that assists seniors at home with routine household activities including light housekeeping, laundry and light meal preparation.
May include: assistance with banking, shopping and errands, or shopping on the senior’s behalf.

See Services >> Homemaking / Home Help

  Homemaking / Home Help, Dementia Specific  
These programs generally provide assistance to persons with dementia at home with routine household activities including light housekeeping, laundry, and light meal preparation by individuals with dementia specific training, skills and knowledge.
May include assistance with: laundry; light housekeeping; meal preparation; banking; shopping and errands; shopping and errands on the person with dementia’s behalf.

See Services >> Homemaking / Home Help, Dementia Specific

Hospital to Home Transition Service
This service provides support to seniors who have been discharged from hospital care and are returning to their personal residence.
May include: Transportation home from hospital; Trained escort (PSW) from hospital to personal residence; Support to senior and caregiver to get settled at home. Fees may apply.

See Services >> Hospital to Home Transition Service

Live-in Caregivers
Trained caregivers help ensure that those who require long-term help receive the assistance and care they need, without having to lose either their independence or dignity, and without having to leave their home. As employer of a live-in caregiver you must provide food and appropriate lodging.

See Services >> Live-in Caregivers

Meals on Wheels
Nutritious meals delivered to seniors at their home. Meals are delivered by volunteers or staff who provide seniors with regular social contact and check on their safety.
May include: hot meals, frozen meals, milk, bread, fruit and vegetable baskets or organic food baskets. Fees apply.

See Services >> Meals on Wheels

Moving / Downsizing
This service helps seniors downsizing their homes/belongings and perhaps moving into a smaller house, supportive housing, retirement communities or nursing homes. Fees apply.

See Services >> Moving / Downsizing

Personal Care / Personal Support
Helping seniors with personal hygiene and other activities of daily living.
May include: bathing, hair, skin and mouth care, help with toileting, getting dressed, feeding, transferring and positioning, medication reminders, light exercising, and escorting to medical appointments.

See Services >> Personal Care / Personal Support

  Personal Care / Personal Support, Dementia Specific  
Personal care/support is assistance provided to persons with dementia with their hygiene, grooming, dressing and other basic activities of daily living by individuals with dementia specific training, skills and knowledge.
May include: Basic activities of daily living (e.g. personal grooming; hygiene; bathing; transferring and positioning); Instrumental activities of daily living (e.g. meal assist; cueing and/or medication monitoring; light exercising); Escorting persons with dementia to medical appointments.

See Services >> Personal Care / Personal Support, Dementia Specific

Departure and Tracking Alarms
Departure alarm is a device that alerts a caregiver or family member when an individual attempts to leave the house on his/her own. A tracking device allows a caregiver to locate someone who has left the house.

See Services >> Departure and Tracking Alarms

Driving Assessments
Driving assessments to determine an individuals medical fitness to drive.

See Services >> Driving Assessment

Home Safety Assessment and Counselling
A service that assesses the potential physical dangers faced by people with memory and cognitive deficits living alone or with family. Solutions to these potential dangers are proposed and/or arranged.

See Services >> Home Safety Assessment and Counselling

Medical Response Alarms
A private service that provides an emergency response when the client pushes a button when in need of medical assistance. Fees applicable.

See Services >> Medical Response Alarms

Safely Home - Alzheimer Wandering Registry
Developed by the Alzheimer Society of Canada with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), this program is designed to help individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia return home safely following an episode of wandering. Registration is voluntary. When registered, vital information about the individual is confidentially stored on a police database where police anywhere in Canada can access it.
A one-time fee of $35 covers the cost of an identification bracelet, a Caregiver Handbook and ID Cards.
Registration Form is available online

See Services >> Safely Home - Alzheimer Wandering Registry

Telephone Reassurance and Security Checks
Programs that contact elderly individuals or people who have disabilities by telephone on a regular basis to ensure their good health and safety, and to reassure them that help is available if and when they need it.

See Services >> Telephone Reassurance and Security Checks

 Respite Care, Dementia Specific  
Dementia specific respite care refers to support services for persons with dementia, to temporarily relieve their caregivers from care responsibilities including but not limited to monitoring and/or engaging persons with dementia in the daily activities, meal and medication monitoring, safety checks and social interaction.
May include:

Adult Day Programs, Dementia Specific

Friendly Visiting, Dementia Specific

Respite Care at Home, Dementia Specific

Short Term Stay, Dementia Specific

Adult Day Programs
A support service, which provides supervised programming in a group setting for adults to assist them to achieve and maintain their maximum level of functioning, to prevent premature and inappropriate institutionalization, and to provide respite and information for caregivers.
May include: planned social, recreational and physical activities, meals, and transportation (if required), personal support/attendant care and minor health care service (e.g., monitoring medication).
Usually located in a hospital, senior's centre or other community location, the service is provided for all or part of a day, or, in a few locations, during the evening. User fees may apply.

See Services >> Adult Day Programs

  Adult Day Programs, Dementia Specific - Daytime  
Adult day programs are supervised and supported social and recreational activities provided at a location outside the person with dementia’s home. Programs generally include meals, transportation to/from the program, some personal care, and appropriate activities). Hours of operation may vary).
May include: Recreational programming; Assistance with personal care/activities of daily living; Light physical activity; Meal(s); Transportation options; Minor health care assistance (e.g., monitoring of medications, weight and/or blood pressure).

See Services >> Adult Day Programs, Dementia Specific - Daytime

  Adult Day Programs, Dementia Specific - Overnight  
An adult day program with overnight stay includes a supervised accommodation at a location outside the person with dementia’s home. Programs generally include meals, transportation to/from the program, some personal care, and appropriate activities.
May include: Recreational programming; Assistance with personal care/activities of daily living; Light physical activity; Meal(s); Transportation options; Minor health care assistance (e.g., monitoring of medications, weight and/or blood pressure).

See Services >> Adult Day Programs, Dementia Specific - Overnight

Friendly Visiting
Regular visits from a trained volunteer to a senior in their homem to provide companionship and social support.
May include: shopping or taking a senior out for daily living activities. Friendly visits may be available for a senior in a hospital.

See Services >> Friendly Visiting

  Friendly Visiting, Dementia Specific  
Dementia Specific Friendly Visiting is regular home visits from a dementia trained volunteer to a person with dementia, to provide companionship and social support.
May include: Social support/interaction and companionship with persons with dementia in their own home; Escorting persons with dementia out for activities; Light shopping with the person with dementia; Accompaniment to medical appointments.

See Services >> Friendly Visiting, Dementia Specific

Respite Care at Home
Designated respite programs in the homes of persons with dementia which offer personal care and monitorings.

See Services >> Respite Care at Home

  Respite Care at Home, Dementia Specific  
Designated respite programs in the homes of persons with dementia which offer personal care and monitorings by individuals with dementia specific training, skills and knowledge.

See Services >> Respite Care at Home, Dementia Specific

Short Term Stay
Designed to supports clients during recovery from an illness or to provide a respite break for caregivers. These stays are for a short, specified time up to a maximum of days per year.

See Services >> Short Term Stay

  Short Term Stay, Dementia Specific  
Short-term respite offered in long-term care home beds which offer dementia specific programming/care planning

See Services >> Short Term Stay, Dementia Specific

Accessible Transportation
Transportation services available for individuals confined to wheelchairs. Fees apply.

See Services >> Accessible Transportation

Ambulance Services
Emergency
Service to transport individuals with acute health needs to appropriate medical services in a timely manner.

Non Emergency
Service that transfers or transports individuals who cannot use regular transportation or taxi services (usually because they are confined to bed) to medical appointments, long-term care facilities or other locations. Fees may apply.

See Services >> Ambulance Services

Transportation Services
A support service that provides escorted or unescorted transportation to medical appointments, shopping and to various social activities and programs. Services may vary between agencies. Fees may apply.

See Services >> Transportation Services

Wheels Trans
Specialized service provided by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to transport individuals with physical, mental and/ or sensory disabilities. Individuals must qualify according to TTC eligibility criteria. Wheel-Trans provides door to door accessible transit service for the City of Toronto. Service is available 7 days a week, weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and weekends 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Fares are the same as the conventional TTC fares for adults, seniors, students and children.

See Services >> Wheels Trans

 Assistive Living  
Assistive living (i.e. supportive housing) is designated housing which provides LHIN-funded personal care services and support in congregate or individual accommodation, and can meet a wide range of health and social needs of persons with dementia.
Services may be provided solely for persons with dementia, or may also be provided for persons not living with dementia.
May include: Care Coordination (e.g., service planning and/or health and social system navigation); Basic Activities of Daily Living (e.g. assistance with personal care, grooming, hygiene); Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (e.g. meal assist, medication monitoring, light housekeeping, laundry, shopping); Social activities (e.g., congregate dining, book club, music programs); Security checks (e.g., phone or face-to-face); 24 hour availability to support services (e.g., on-site or on-call).

See Services >> Assistive Living

Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) - Placement
Community Care Access Centres (CCAC) are not-for-profit community agencies, which are responsible for the direct provision of information and referral services, placement coordination services and case management.

There are three different types of placement:

• Long-term care facility ;
• Short-term stay ;
• Crisis placement (when the client's support network has broken down and immediate admission to a long-term care facility is necessary. In this instance the client will be placed in the first suitable facility that becomes available. Clients may transfer to another facility they prefer at a later time).

If clients need services while waiting for placement, CCACs make the necessary referrals and connect them to the appropriate services and service providers.

See Services >> CCAC - Placement

Long Term Care Homes
Residential setting that provides care on a 24-hour a day basis to individuals whose needs can no longer be met in the community. Long-term care facilities include nursing homes and homes for the aged. Placement into a long-term care facility is secured through the client's local community care access centre.

See Services >> Long Term Care Homes

  Long Term Care Homes with Behavioural Unit  
Behavioural units are primarily secured units devoted to the care of individuals with severe behavioural issues as a result of dementia and/or other mental illnesses that provide an array of interventions based on the individual’s needs.
May include: Diagnostic work-up (e.g., physiological and cognitive assessments); Care planning including transitional plans to discharge patient back to the community/long-term care home; Behaviour interventions/management; Medication management; Education to key partners in care; Transitional plans to discharge patient back to the community/home.

See Services >> Long Term Care Homes with Behavioural Unit

  Long Term Care Homes with Dementia Unit  
Dementia units are specifically devoted to the care of persons with dementia. These programs are generally secure and possibly further subdivided based on the level of care needed.
May include: Cognitive support for residents with challenging behaviours; Secure unit for residents with severe cognitive impairment prone to wandering.

See Services >> Long Term Care Homes with Dementia Unit

Retirement Homes
Retirement homes are privately owned rental accommodations for seniors. While services vary between homes, retirement homes usually provide meals, laundry services, recreational activities, assistance with medication, and assistance with baths.
Generally, retirement homes are designed for seniors who need minimal to moderate support with activities of daily living activities, however some homes are open to persons with dementia.
The Government of Ontario does not subsidize, regulate or monitor standards in retirement homes. Costs vary according to room accommodations, meal plans, services and personal care needs of the resident. A private room can cost between $1500 and $5000 per month.

See Services >> Retirement Homes

Supportive Housing
Supportive Housing are designated buildings that provide on-site personal care and support services for seniors.
May include: homemaking, light housekeeping, shopping, laundry, personal support, medication monitoring, social activities, nutrition programs, security checks, and planning and coordinating other services that enable independent living. Service may be available on a 24 hour basis.
NOTE: These services may not be available to people with dementia. Please contact Housing Connections for further information at 416-981-6111.

See Services >> Supportive Housing

Addictions / Substance Misuse
As individuals age, their bodies will become more sensitive to the effects of alcohol and drugs. These programs aim to help persons with addiction problems. Services listed are geared to seniors and are not necessarily dementia specific.

See Services >> Addictions / Substance Misuse

Early Onset Services
Services geared to individuals diagnosed with dementia before the age of 65 or their families.

See Services >> Early Onset (under 65)

Homeless People
Services for individuals living in shelters, hostels or outside.

See Services >> Homeless Services