Find Alzheimer's care and memory care now
In recent years, Alzheimer’s treatment and research has seen impressive improvements, but not much progress toward a cure. Because technology and innovation has advanced, Alzheimer’s care homes, including those listed below, now have better resources to deal with this disease than they have ever had. With 24-hour on-site staff, including nurses and doctors, these communities are often the best place for dementia sufferers. They also help patients and families deal with the physical and emotional aspects of the illness, with the goal of ensuring that patients live a fulfilling and enjoyable life, while adequately controlling and treating the symptoms of their disease.
Governors Walk Retirement Residence - Metta Lifestyles150 Stanley Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1M 2J7 A former monastery and friary, Governors Walk is designed to pay respect to the past while featuring a modern touch. Governors Walk is steps away from the picturesque Rideau River and Stanley park. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Prince of Peace285030 Luther Rose Blvd NE, Calgary, Alberta, T1X 1M9 Prince of Peace a variety of suites styles with kitchenettes and incredible mountain views. It's the perfect residence for seniors who are active, require some assistance, or have memory care needs. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Whitehorn Village Retirement Community by Origin5200 44 Ave NE, Calgary, Alberta, T1Y7L4 Our life enrichment calendar is full of activities to help you answer the question “What do I want to do today?” Attend our fitness classes, enjoy movies in our theatre, or share laughs over coffees in our bistro. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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The Village Langley3920 198th Street, Langley, British Columbia, V3A1E1 We believe that the desire for fulfillment and living a life with purpose does not diminish with a diagnosis of dementia. We focus on the possibilities of each person, supporting each to live with laughter, love and joy. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Baycrest Terraces55 Ameer Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M6A 2Z1 We are Toronto's Finest Kosher Retirement Residence. Located on the Baycrest campus in the heart of North York's Jewish community. Baycrest Terraces, "Where Life Thrives". Call us today for more information. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Sagecare 147 Elder Street147 Elder Street, North York, Ontario, M3H5G9 Enlightened dementia care touches more than memory. 147 Elder St. is a place that provides opportunities for the joy and meaning still ahead when wellbeing can no longer be realized at home. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Riverwalk Retirement Residence528 25 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta, V2S 0L5 Riverwalk Retirement Residence is centrally located in the Cliff Bungalow-Mission community of Calgary. We offer a continuum of care including Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care.
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Wintergreene Estates4950 Pasqua Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 7L2 At Wintergreene you'll discover a combination of independence, privacy, activities, health and wellness programs & friendly companionship to savour throughout your retirement. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Queens Estate Retirement Residence - Metta Lifestyles265 Queens Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M6L 3C6 At Queens Estate, we offer a complete range of care services in a welcoming environment. Whether it's our compassionate staff, fresh homemade meals, or exciting and engaging activities, you will truly feel at home. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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McCowan Retirement Residence - Metta Lifestyles2881 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, Ontario, M1J 0A2 McCowan Retirement Residence is a vibrant and family oriented retirement home located in Scarborough. With team members who have been here since we opened in 2004, you can expect a warm welcome and a feeling of home. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Swan Evergreen Village by Origin2635 Eversyde Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2Y5G9 Swan Evergreen Village is a leading Independent Living, Assisted Living & Memory Care community in Southwest Calgary. Our Passion for Caring guides our active lifestyle. quality dining and supporting care needs. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Park Place Seniors' Suites & Retirement Residence110 & 120 Central Park Dr, Ottawa, Ontario, K2C 4G3 Whether you're looking for independent living, assisted living or memory care, you can access them all in one location at Park Place. We are a vibrant, social community surrounded by parks and close to many amenities.
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Holland Gardens552 Holland St W, Bradford, Ontario, L3Z 4H3 Located in the heart of a vibrant community, Holland Gardens is the perfect place to live, laugh and enjoy life. An exciting community offering a luxurious resort lifestyle, an ideal place for inspired senior living. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Credit River175 Rutledge Rd., Mississauga, Ontario, L5M 0X7 Credit River is a 6-storey condo style residence, with an array of well-appointed suite styles to choose from and our highly-skilled health care professionals are available around the clock if you need them. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Sweetgrass105 6th Avenue NE, Slave Lake, Alberta, T0G 2A2 At Sweetgrass, we are dedicated to promoting maximum independence, choice, and dignity for each resident and encourage the involvement of family, neighbours and friends.
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The Shores of Port Credit280 Lakeshore Rd. W., Mississauga, Ontario, L5H 0A5 The Shores is designed for vibrant living with the highest quality of personal care. Amenities include pool, fitness & exercise club, restaurant, bistro & cafe, a golf simulator lounge & wine cellar. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Aster Gardens7 Brower Drive, Sherwood Park, Alberta, T8H 1Y7 Aster Gardens, an Optima Living community, opened in March 2021, we are transforming Senior's living. You are going to love living here....Let Us Welcome You Home!
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Carp Commons Retirement Village458 Donald B. Munro Drive, Carp, Ontario, K0A 1L0 One visit to Carp Commons Retirement Village and you’ll see the difference in terms of amenities, food, services, programs, and the little touches that make it feel like home. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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The Dunfield Retirement Residence77 Dunfield Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4S 2H3 The Dunfield Retirement Residence has established a new standard in senior retirement living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with 177 spacious apartments. Where people come to LIVE!
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The Briton House720 Mt. Pleasant Road, Toronto, Ontario, M4S 2N7 Family-owned and operated, the Briton House is dedicated to the highest standards of service. Offering a full continuum of care, a variety of amenities and suites, home-cooked meals, and a 15,000 sq. ft. indoor garden. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Greenview Seniors Residence - Metta Lifestyles880 Lawrence Ave E, North York, Ontario, M3C1P6 At Greenview Residence, we offer a complete range of care services in a welcoming environment. Whether it's our compassionate staff, fresh homemade meals, or exciting and engaging activities, you will truly feel at home.
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Origin at Spring Creek808 Spring Creek Drive, Canmore, Alberta, T1W0K3 Origin at Spring Creek is Bow Valley’s leading independent, assisted living, & memory care community. Nestled in the luxurious mountain town of Canmore, we empower our residents to remain happy, healthy & active. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Hawthorn Park Retirement Community867 KLO Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1Y 9G5 Living at Hawthorn Park Retirement Residence means you have choices & can customize the services you need, as you need them. We offer three lifestyle opportunities; supportive living, assisted living & complex care. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Promenade Seniors' Suites & Retirement Residence110 & 150 Rossignol Drive, Orleans, Ontario, K4A 0N2 With so much to do nearby, it’s easy to forget why you might want to stay home, but with its exceptional dining, impeccable design, and fun activities, you’ll find Promenade has many attractions of its own!
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The Village of Erin Meadows2930 Erin Centre Blvd., Mississauga, Ontario, L5M 7M4 Mississauga's unique continuum of care featuring a vibrant Main Street with Independent Living Suites, Retirement Apartments, Full Service Suites, Assisted Care, Memory Care and Long Term Care. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Origin at Longwood6205 Oliver Road, Nanaimo, British Columbia, V9T 6T1 Origin at Longwood offers a choice of spacious suites, featuring large windows with a variety of exposures to Nanaimo’s vistas or Longwood’s pristine forests – most suites also feature a private balcony or patio. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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The Village of Tansley Woods4100 Upper Middle Road, Burlington, Ontario, L7W 4W8 At The Village of Tansley Woods, we offer the full continuum of care - Independent Living Suites, Retirement Apartments, Full Service Retirement Suites, Assisted Care, Memory Care and Long Term Care all in one village. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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The Village of Arbour Trails32 Bayberry Drive, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 0C9 Guelph retirement home offers Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care. Includes 24 hour onsite nursing team and medication support within a Village-like setting. It takes a Village to care. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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The Village of Taunton Mills3800 Brock Sreet North, Whitby, Ontario, L1R 3A5 The Village of Taunton Mills in Whitby presents several levels of service from seniors' apartments with meals to assisted living to long-term care. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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The Village of Riverside Glen60 Woodlawn Road East, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 8M8 This elegant Guelph retirement home offers a range of care including assisted living and long term care, serviced by a friendly, caring staff. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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The Village of Wentworth Heights1620 Upper Wentworth St., Hamilton, Ontario, L9B 2W3 The Village of Wentworth Heights is a full-service retirement living community offering retirement apartments, full-service suites, assisted living and memory care. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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The Village of Humber Heights2245 Lawrence Avenue West, Etobicoke, Ontario, M9P 3W3 The Village of Humber Heights in Etobicoke offers different levels of service from independent apartments with meals to assisted living to long-term care. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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The Village at University Gates250 Laurelwood Drive, Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 0E2 Now welcoming our Retirement Home Residents to the Village. We offer Waterloo a range of services for today's Senior including Retirement Apartments, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Long Term Care. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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The Village of Glendale Crossing3030 Singleton Avenue, London, Ontario, N6L 0B6 A true retirement hub featuring independent Living Apartments with full kitchens, Retirement Apartments, Full Service Retirement suites with walk out patios, Assisted Care, Memory Care and LTC.
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The Village of Winston Park695 Block Line Road, Kitchener, Ontario, N2E 3K1 This elegant retirement residence in Kitchener-Waterloo offers a continuum of care from independent living apartments to assisted living, memory care and long-term care. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Forest Valley Terrace By Symphony1510 St. Joseph Boulevard, Orleans, Ontario, K1C 7L1 Forest Valley Terrace is proud to be the only community that is specifically designed & dedicated to the unique needs of seniors with all stages of Alzheimer’s, dementia or other forms of memory impairment in Ottawa. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Delmanor Elgin Mills80 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4C 0L3 Award Winning Delmanor Elgin Mills, has proudly served the Richmond Hill community since 2002. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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OPAL by Element438 West King Edward Ave, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Y 05M 438 West King Edward Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Y 0M5
Opal offers a full continuum of support from Independent Living, Assisted living all the way to Complex Care, allowing the opportunity for aging in place.
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Richmond Care Home27 Nixon Farm Drive, Richmond, Ontario, K0A 2Z0 Richmond Care Home is a unique 16-unit retirement home specifically designed for women living with dementia. We offer cutting-edge exceptional memory care, that's very reasonably priced in an intimate home-like setting.
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Magnolia Gardens5840 Glover Rd, Langley, British Columbia, V3A 9K3 An oasis in the heart of Langley City, Magnolia Gardens features bright, spacious suites and a warm, friendly atmosphere. Two choices in senior living: 115 independent living suites, and a 40 suite licensed Care Centre.
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Carleton Place Terrace by Symphony6 Arthur Street, Carleton Place, Ontario, K7C 4S4 We offer a truly all inclusive plan. We welcome pets: offer residents accommodation options .Our array of activities & chef-prepared meals keep our residents healthy & active. Offering beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Aspira Riverbend Crossing Retirement Living2235 Heseltine Rd, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4V 2Y7 At Riverbend Crossing our goal is to help you live fully, every day. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Aspira The Barrieview Retirement Living3 Concert Way, Barrie, Ontario, L4N6N5 At Aspira The Barrieview Retirement Living our goal is to help you live fully, every day. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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The Vineyards Residence726 Valley Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 0E9 The Vineyards approach to assisted living & memory care allows people to go about life as they always have, despite health changes. Beautiful suites & homemade meals. Discover for yourself why we say Life’s Better Here [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Ravines Seniors' Suites & Retirement Residence626 & 636 Prado Private, Ottawa, Ontario, K2E 0B3 Ravines offers you tranquility in one of Ottawa’s most scenic neighbourhoods, Prince of Wales. A social, carefree lifestyle awaits you in a friendly community staffed with individuals who truly care.
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Symphony Senior Living Kanata27 Weaver Crescent, Kanata, Ontario, K2K 2Z8 Enjoy the natural setting of the surrounding Kanata Lakes with access to shopping, parks and churches at Symphony Senior Living Kanata. This pet friendly community offers a variety of service packages and suites to fulfill your unique needs. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Parkland on Eglinton West4650 Eglinton Ave. W., Etobicoke, Ontario, M9A 0E3 Parkland on Eglinton West offers Lifestyle Apartments, All-Inclusive Lifestyle and Supportive Lifestyle options for seniors. Parkland makes it easy for you to do more of what you love!
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Aspira West Park Crossing Retirement Living1801 Meier Drive, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, S6J0C3 At Aspira West Park our goal is to help you live fully, every day. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Waterford, The1345 56th Street, Tsawwassen, British Columbia, V4L 2P9 Featuring bright suites surrounded by pedestrian pathways, and a two-acre water feature in Tsawwassen town-centre. Two choices in all-inclusive senior housing: independent living and a licensed Care Centre suites.
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New Horizons Tower1140 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M6H 4E6 From gracious dining to new suites and lounges, residents are enjoying the new management and upgrades found at 1140 Bloor Street West, in the Heart of Bloordale Village.
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Hamilton High Street Residence23100 Garripie Avenue, Richmond, British Columbia, V6V 0B9 Welcome to where independence meets peace of mind. Experience Richmond's cruise-inspired community offering gourmet meals, active living, entertainment & services that are not in-your-face, but there when you need them. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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Lanes Retirement Living134 Airport Heights Drive, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1A 4Z7 Conveniently located in the city's east end, our newest location provides an upscale retirement experience with unmatched services and amenities, personalized care, and a warm family atmosphere.
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Aspira Douglas Crossing Retirement Living6 Douglas Rd, Uxbridge, Ontario, L9P1S9 At Aspira Douglas Crossing our goal is to help you live fully, every day.
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Aspira Stonebridge Crossing Retirement Living102 Wellman Cres., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7T 0J1 At Aspira Stonebridge Crossing our goal is to help you live fully, every day. [View Profile] Virtual tour available
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The Manor Villages StayWell Manor174 Ypres Green SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2T 6M2 Staywell Manor Village offers elegant retirement living in the heart of Calgary. Whether you are looking for independent living, assisted living or memory care, we have lifestyle options to meet your needs.
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The Meadows of Aurora440 William Graham Drive, Aurora, Ontario, L4G 1X5 The Meadows of Aurora is a Christian Seniors Lifestyle Community that promotes the wellbeing of individuals 65+. Residents experience nature’s green spaces, memorable dining experiences and great times with friends.
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Chartwell Empress Kanata Retirement Residence170 McGibbon Drive, Kanata, Ontario, K2L 4H5 A safe and rewarding lifestyle in a Kanata seniors housing community you're proud to call home.
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Chartwell Scarlett Heights Retirement Residence4005 Eglinton Ave West, Etobicoke, Ontario, M9A 5H3 A safe and rewarding lifestyle in a Etobicoke seniors housing community you're proud to call home.
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Chartwell Deerview Crossing Retirement Residence460 Rymal Road West, Hamilton, Ontario, L9B 0B2 A safe and rewarding lifestyle in a Hamilton seniors housing community you're proud to call home.
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Chartwell Georgian Traditions Retirement Residence57 Trott Blvd., Collingwood, Ontario, L9Y 0A3 A safe and rewarding lifestyle in a Collingwood seniors housing community you're proud to call home.
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Chartwell Willow Retirement Community12275-224th Street, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, V2X 6H5 A safe and rewarding lifestyle in a Maple Ridge seniors housing community you're proud to call home.
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Chartwell Eau Claire Care Residence301 7th Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 1Y6 A safe and rewarding lifestyle in a Calgary seniors housing community you're proud to call home.
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Home care & Alzheimer's caregivers |
QualicareToronto, Mississauga and Belleville, Toronto, Mississauga and Belleville, Ontario, M8X2X9 Qualicare offers reliable and consistent caregivers and nursing for patients with medical, dementia, and mobility challenges. We also support people during and after hospital stays and within assisted living residences. |
Lawbell Senior Home Care Services7191 Yonge Street, Markham, Ontario, L3T 0C7 Lawbell Senior Home Care Services
We offers medical and non - medical care support for seniors and people of all ages, in their homes, retirement residence, hospitals and Long term care facilities. |
Nurse Next Door Toronto BeachesEglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, Ontario, M1K 2M8 Nurse Next Door Toronto Beaches provides compassionate 24 hour personalized senior care services with bonded, registered & licensed Nurses / RPN's, in your home, hospital, rehab, LTC & retirement communities. |
During early stages of the disease, it might make fiscal sense for families to persist in providing personal caregiving for an Alzheimer's sufferer. When this becomes overwhelming, at some point, the family may supplement this with home health care services or engage local adult day programs. These agencies and program providers are professionally prepared to help Alzheimer's sufferers, and can be a healthy part of a mindful care plan. Face up to the consequences of the disease, plan as much as possible, so that you do your best to provide your loved one with the best care throughout the disease's progress. Ideally, one person in the family will take on the role of point person in a full dementia care plan, with support from other family members. There will be trial and error over time, but families can find solace in their efforts to do their best to provide the best possible care for family members in decline.
It’s a bad situation. Denial will not make it better. Planning will.
It’s important that family members face the harsh reality, that Alzheimer’s is ultimately fatal, and your loved one will inevitably require long-term care. Empower yourself with knowledge about the long term care system in your province. Understand that not all long-term care homes are the same. Plan ahead, research which are best, understand wait list times. Read reviews to find other people’s experience with long term care near you. Knowing where you are ultimately going makes the journey easier. Family caregivers should consider the availability of palliative care in the community they choose. This allows your loved one to remain in one place, and will be helpful to all once you reach this point.
Memory care communities like those listed above should be part of your dementia care planning, especially if you consider their judicious use and optimize the value you get out of these retirement homes. Budgeted for properly and researched fully, a good memory care home can be a great blessing to families. These communities often have staff with training in Gentle Persuasive Approach and various other professionally objective care strategies. Memory care communities are a good solution to LTC wait lists, especially a home with a full continuum of care. Should a loved one be able to move directly from assisted living or memory care into long-term care on the same property, the transition is much easier for both the resident and family.
Read our latest look at memory care innovations for 2019, including changes to staff training, building design, brain training programs and more.
Learn more about trends in design for memory care.
Respite care and short term stays
Too few caregivers are aware they can get help from professional memory care services in their area, through respite care stays for dementia sufferers, offered as a service by retirement homes. Care facilities are standing by to help, in fact, and there are often government subsidies to help. The need for respite care is a growing concern in provinces across the country, with increasing pressure put on governments to provide more support for seniors with dementia.
In the province of BC, the Ministry of Health Services offers caregiver relief, including home care services and short term admission to retirement residences. Learn more about respite and short term care in Vancouver. Alberta Health Services has promised to improved its suite of seniors' health care services including short term help to "spell off" caregiver fatigue there. The province of Ontario lists Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) that work closely with home care services and retirement homes to recommend the best support for caregivers and dementia sufferers. The government subsidizes and supports 90 days of respite care per year, with available stays as long as 60 days. Find respite care homes in Toronto.
Canada’s Alzheimer’s care homes will provide your family member with 24/7 on-site certified nursing and security. Care staff are trained to help patients and families deal with the physical and emotional aspects of the illness. Communities offer therapeutic environments and services that help manage and maintain memory. Memory care is now the accepted term for the specialized care facilities for those suffering from all forms of dementia. A variety of diseases account for the other 36% of dementias afflicting Canadians – both seniors and others. Elsewhere, we take a fuller look at care for related dementias.
The goal in these communities is to ensure that patients live a fulfilling and enjoyable life, while adequately controlling and treating symptoms of their disease. "It's really important that we look at everything through the lens of our residents," says Elaine Wood of Delmanor. She speaks for many memory care communities when she says, this "is about looking at dementia through that alternate lens. It's about saying to people that, although I have dementia, I’m still here."
Memory care communities are on the front line of care, and as such they constantly improve and innovate. Canadians should be proud that we’re home to North America's first dementia village in Langley, BC, by Verve Senior Living. Insights gained at The Village and elsewhere help further our collective understanding of dementia. An increasing number of memory care communities across the country are designed “from the ground up” to deal with dementia's effects which include memory loss, disorientation and elopement. They offer comprehensive care that, in many cases, include relevant, up-to-date amenities such as mobility aids and design for accessibility, applying the latest memory care design trends.
The overwhelming trend in communities listed above is away from a one-size-fits-all approach toward communities that are home-like, intimate and above all, safe. Schlegel Villages, several of which are listed above, feature “neighbourhoods” that help alleviate the disorienting institutionalization of some homes. Similarly, Verve communities feature "Household Suites" in which a limited number of residents live in a quiet, comfortable environment with a private family style dining area. "It really helps reduce anxiety for both residents and families," says Rebekah, marketing manager at a Verve community. These innovations guard people’s sense of safety, security and routine, ideally removing any indication they’re in a care environment that’s, in fact, highly sophisticated.
Care staff, too, receive constant training to become better experts at offering superior care. Team members are carefully chosen, and each and every one comes with a rich history in dementia care. Families disheartened and distraught at the effects of the disease are assured that loved ones are safe and secure. Unfortunately, it's often dangerous for sufferers to remain in their own due to symptoms like wandering, disorientation and confusion. While each professionally run care home offers unique services, there are commonalities: almost all such homes offer supervision for safety, social interaction with other residents, games, and other types of mental activities. Most importantly, each suite typically contains an emergency communication system.
Although public or subsidized retirement homes are available, finding money to pay for specialized Alzheimer’s care is often worthwhile. Canada’s healthcare system often faces budget shortages and cuts. On the other hand, private facilities, like those above, will ensure that you know all about treatments your loved one is receiving.
There are a variety of dementias similar to Alzheimer's Disease, and many memory care facilities have assistance and care for those suffering from these sometimes-related diseases:
For the most part, these are treated and cared for in the same facilities as those created with Alzheimer's sufferers in mind; we cover differences in more depth in our fuller look at dementia care.
ADRD is an acronym applied by professionals in reference to Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Disorders. Even for health professionals, diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease has always been difficult. This is because the disease mimics classic signs of aging, including fading memory, outbursts of anger and occasional disorientation. These symptoms do not always mean that a person has Alzheimer’s.
Broad phases of SDAT are described below in stages in progress of the disease.
More about memory care
New Alzheimer’s therapies emerge all the time. Retirement homes with memory care facilities are providing front-line research and treatment to help improve the lives of Alzheimer’s sufferers and to even slow progress of the disease. Here are some current innovative treatment and therapy options that your care home or communities near you may have available.
There is occasional new ground broken in Alzheimer’s treatment and diagnosis, but the progress of research into this disease is often slow. As reported from time to time, clinical trials of new drug treatments are rare. The Alzheimer's Society of Canada supports over $4 million of research annually, most of that in funds and grants awarded through its Alzheimer Society Research Program.
SDAT (senile dementia, Alzheimer's type) has four distinct stages of development, according to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada. Knowing what these stages are can help families understand the progression of the disease and what they can do to help support the affected individual.
The first stage is pre-dementia. This stage is characterized by apathy and a mild reduction in abstract thinking, attentiveness and flexibility, along with the beginnings of memory loss.
Early dementia is the second stage. Here, the afflicted individual suffers a greater impairment of learning and memory, a shrinking vocabulary, decreased word fluency and difficulty reading and writing. Here, you may see the onset of Sundown Syndrome, in some cases.
During these early stages, families choose to provide caregiving and to seek help with in-home-care. Families work with medical professionals and social care, and follow their advice on how best to deal with the progress of the disease. In later stages below, more care will be needed, including the possibility of a temporary stay in a care home like those listed above. At this point, families begin to consider the need for long term care.
Moderate dementia, the third stage, results in behaviours that inhibit independence. Here, the Alzheimer sufferer is unable to perform the most common activities of daily living. Complex motor skills are disrupted and memory loss is pronounced, resulting in an impairment of vocabulary, reading and writing skills, loss of long-term memory and recognition, and the development of habits such as wandering, irritability and unpremeditated outbursts of aggression.
This is also called the "enduring stage" of the dementia, and at this phase you will need to get help from home care services and/or local assisted living facilities.
The final stage is advanced dementia. Here, the sufferer is overwhelmed by memory and speech loss, extreme apathy, and exhaustion. Mobility and muscle mass deteriorate to the point where affected individuals become bedridden and dependent on dedicated, round-the-clock care. Deterioration continues, and this stage is also called end-of-life.
This four-stage overview differs from the global scale (adapted in the United States and other countries), originally set out in the American Journal of Psychiatry in 1982. On this scale there are seven stages; you can learn more from alzheimer.ca/../Global-Deterioration-Scale.
Canadian families faced with the advanced stages of Alzheimer's find support from the Alzheimer Society of Canada, a not-for-profit health organization begun in 1978. The website alzheimer.ca offers a wide range of resources, including the latest research on the disease, caregiving, medical treatment, and a roster of support groups. Numerous discussion groups and excellent on-line training for families facing the task of providing care are also provided.
Many memory care homes offer a specialized environment, designed specifically to help those with dementia. Some of these features are simply not available in any other environment and also make the move into a memory care community especially wise for families.
Some of the facilities and features offered in memory care homes are as follows:
For-profit memory care homes are often used by families as an important stepping stone during the period when they are on a waiting list for long term care homes. While patients are in the middle stages of the disease, they may be aware of (and appreciate) the care they are receiving from care staff and family, and may benefit from the therapies offered within the residence.
Alzheimer's sufferers in these facilities may also benefit from onsite amenities such as massage therapy, physiotherapy and personal care amenities including hair salons and exercise rooms.
Care homes offer the most up-to-date, professional care available to help your loved one get safely through each day.
Long term care homes are often government-subsidized and provide the eventual solution for those suffering from progressive dementias. However, families seek temporary care in a for-profit home where excellent care and therapies offers peace of mind and can even ease deterioration or offer a temporary respite from symptoms.
This may not be an easy choice to make, as with so many choices that families face concerning Alzheimer's and related dementias. The following provides an overview of costs families are paying for Alzheimer's care offered in these for-profit homes.
Location
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Cost from
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Care details included
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Vancouver, BC
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$4,388 | housekeeping and meals
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Newmarket, ON
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$5,500 | housekeeping, meals, bathing (1x/week), transfer, dressing, feeding, incontinence, medication administration
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Guelph, ON
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$4,085 | housekeeping, meals, bathing (1x/week), dressing, transfer, incontinence, medication administration
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Toronto, ON
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$5,400 | housekeeping, meals, bathing (1x/week), transfer, dressing, feeding, incontinence, medication administration
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The above is only an overview, taken from homes listed here at Comfort Life. Of course, consult with individual care homes to investigate costs and care given.
There are a variety of ways people pay for Alzheimer's care, beginning with income from Canada's social security system; we offer an overview of ways others pay for seniors' care. If you or your elderly loved one had the foresight to purchase long-term care insurance, this can go a long way toward easing the burden of paying for Alzheimer's care. In the past, Comfort Life has offered case studies of the benefits of this insurance, including Stephen Gadsden's look at the value of purchasing long term care insurance for memory care, and an article by Mary Robertson (both are CFPs) on the projected benefits of purchasing insurance now, for the future.
In general, there is little direct government support to help offset care fees. A typical scenario is that families care for family members at home, then move cautiously into care services, paying as they go.
Retirement residences often offer payment options tailored to families' needs and abilities. While the lump-sum monthly amount may seem expensive on the surface, people tend to forget the many costs associated with living at home. Regardless of whether someone requires memory care or not, a comparison of the costs of aging at home vs. moving into any kind of retirement care can show that the move into a care home is more reasonable than some might realize. (If families are paying for home care services or are taking time off work to care for an ailing loved one, this adds to costs of remaining at home.)
Paying for memory care is one more difficult adjustment that family members must make, but there are many other people who have dealt with this. You can find support and advice from others near you through your local Alzheimer Society.
Read a case study of how one couple paid for Alzheimer care.
The lack of a perfect treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease and families' ultimate inability to offer proper care makes long term care an oft-inevitable need for families, especially as the disease is both progressive and degenerative. According to one estimate, more than 60 per cent of retirement home long term care residents live with Alzheimer’s Disease or some other form of dementia. There are also a percentage of people with a dual diagnosis, and this figure also increases annually.
Care today is increasingly client-centric, and as dementias are better-understood, retirement residences offer more specific services that address the memory care needs of each individual. As one care home administrator tells us, "The situation may arise where we need to talk to family members about what services we think are needed. We tell them what we think is required and we put it back on the family to move forward if they want to. We're moving away from 'formatted, one-size-fits-all solutions' that are institution-based. We find out what the client needs and we address that need."
Homes are also well-suited to accommodate couples where one spouse may require memory care while the other is still very much independent, and "they may not want to be traveling all the time to help their spouse get the care they need." Many care facilities today will not segregate couples, situating them so the independent spouse can remain aware of the other's needs. As an added bonus, typical amenities remove the need for meal preparation and housekeeping, freeing up time to spend together, or in the social setting of the residence.
If your loved one has wandering episodes or uncontrolled outbursts, follow the advice of your doctor and other professionals. Medical doctors and social workers will consider your family’s need to keep your loved one at home as long as possible and can advise when it's time to consider the move to dedicated care.
She was the best mother in the world. That's why I want her to be in a place that's fresh and clean and new - and near me.
alz.to: What is Dementia?
alzeducate.ca/ includes online courses and in-person training for health care professionals and PSWs, specifically in the area of dementia; this is closely related with the Toronto Alzheimer Society.
Alzheimer.ca/ includes links to many resources for families and seniors dealing with Alzheimer's Disease. You can find local chapters across the country, also.
Alzheimer's awareness is a page we update annually with the latest news about the disease, including annual updates on reasons for hope.
alzlive.com: online caregiver support resource begun by Dave Kelso. When his mother, Betty, was dying of Alzheimer's, Dave found a dearth of online help for Alzheimer's caregivers; alzlive.com is now the go-to resource for "information, guidance, news, comfort, and advice" for Alzheimer's caregivers.
BrainXChange is a Canadian initiative "dedicated to improving quality of life and supports for persons with or at risk of having brain-health needs related to dementia, mental health and neurological conditions related to aging or have experienced brain health changes earlier in life that are now more complex with aging."
FirstLink helps newly diagnosed people with dementia get the help they need as soon as possible.
Gallogly, Ann Marie. Alzheimer’s – Dementia. AuthorHouse, 2015.