Question: I am a working mother with three young children. I am also the sole caregiver to my 75 year old widowed mother who lives alone in a two-storey house. I am in contact with her daily, and visit often. Over the last several months I have noticed that she is having difficulty managing her activities of daily living. She is also getting a little unsteady on her feet and I am concerned that she might fall and break her hip. What community services are available to provide additional in-home support?
winter 2005 – volume 2, issue 1
Theresa Dean responds:
The issues you raised in your letter are common concerns for many caregivers. Here is a list of community resources that may be of assistance to you:
Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) CCAC is a community support program funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
Services that may be available to those who are eligible include personal care, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, as well as dietetic counselling and social work services.
The CCAC is also the agency to call should your mother wish to make application to a long term care facility or short term/respite care. For more information, call 1-800.470.2222
CHATS (Community Home Supports for Seniors)
This is a community program available to all seniors. Programs include personal care and support, CHATS Outreach program, Housekeeping Services, CHATS Adult Day Program, and CHATS Personal Support and Homemaking Service. CHATS also administers the Meals-on-Wheels program as well as Life Line, a personal security service that helps individuals to continue to live independently in their own homes. There is a fee for these services. To find out more about CHATS call 1.877.452.4287.
With regard to your concerns regarding your mother being at risk of a fall, I would suggest that you call your mother’s doctor to discuss a referral to the Falls Clinic at Markham Stouffville Hospital. The Falls Clinic provides a comprehensive assessment by an interdisciplinary team of health care professionals. Assessment fees are covered under OHIP.
There is also a growing number of private community health care agencies that you might tap into. These for-profit agencies offer a full range of health care support, from personal support, to homemaking, to Registered Nursing care. Check the telephone book, or speak to a hospital social worker for further information on these agencies.
2600 John Street, Unit 207, Markham, ON L3R 3W3 T: 905.475.5222 F: 905.475.6369
