We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: taking a break is imperative to your health as a caregiver.
Nobody can expand their energy as a caregiver without taking a step back to recharge. Respite care, whether on a planned or emergency basis, allows the caregiver to rest and remember there’s life outside caregiving. Respite is about you, not your charge.
We’ve compiled a shortlist of respite care facilities in Canada established especially for Alzheimer’s caregivers, but we continually welcome entries and suggestions.
Respite Care Facilities:
Aven Cottages – Territorial Dementia Facility
Location: # 1- 5710 50 Ave. Yellowknife, NT
Details: Aven Cottages were specifically designed to care for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia with three respite beds.
Contact: 1-867-920-2443 Website
Dwelling Place Home Care Services
Location: 360 Labieux Road, Nanaimo, B.C.
Details: Dwelling Place is a private community care facility that is built on the philosophy of providing care with dignity and is well known for excellence with clients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-like conditions.
Contact: 250-756-3008 Website
Nanaimo Travellers Lodge
Location: 1298 Nelson Street, Nanaimo, B.C.
Details: Nanaimo Travellers Lodge offers three Adult Day Programs to elders with Alzheimer’s and dementia living in the community. These community services provide consistent daily care and support to elders who do not require long-term care but who do require support and assistance in their daily lives.
Contact: (250) 758-4676 Website
Club 36
Location: 2012 – 66 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB; or 19 Harvest Gold Manor NE, Calgary, AB
Details: The Alzheimer Society of Calgary operates Club 36, an Adult Day Program for people living with dementia. This program provides meaningful activities including community outings, music, physical activities, baking, gardening and individual hobbies such as woodworking. Club 36 maximizes the individual’s independence and abilities in a caring and supportive environment. It also provides caregivers with an opportunity for respite.
Contact: (403) 255-0700 or (403) 226-8201 Website
Oliver Lodge Special Care Home
Location: 1405 Faulkner Crescent, Saskatoon, Sask.
Details: Oliver Lodge has two 16-bed specialized communities, which are specially designed for people with dementia. Programs in this area are also specialized for people with dementia who require long term care.
Contact: 306-382-4111 Website
Highview Residences
Location: 35 Capulet Walk, London, Ont.
Details: Highview Residences specializes in providing permanent and respite care to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, and to the frail elderly.
Contact: 519-472-8882 Website
T. Roy Adams Regional Centre for Dementia Care
Location: 403 Ontario Street, St. Catharines, ON
Details: Respite Care services provide temporary services for individuals typically still living at home. Programs focus on enhancing clients’ functional abilities and quality of life. Clients must be medically and behaviorally stable and diagnosed to have dementia. Includes short stay, adult day service and overnight respite care.
Contact: 905-934-3364 ext. 4156 Website
147 Elder Street
Location: 147 Elder Street, Toronto, ON
Details: A loving safe, secure, elegant, home-like surrogate family environment with private bedrooms and bathrooms in a gracious family setting in a residential neighborhood
Contact: 416-250-8965 Website
Nora’s House Respite Care
Location: 60 Briarwood Ave, Mississauga, ON
Details: The overnight respite program, Nora’s House, provides care for persons living with Alzheimer’s disease a safe and secure environment and staff that are specially trained to provide programs and care to guests and families challenged by dementia.
Contact: 905-232-6016 Website
Maimonides Geriatric Centre
Location: 5795 Caldwell Avenue, Montreal, Que. H4W 1W3
Details: Maimonides offers short-term relief. Four private rooms at the centre are designated for respite care for 2- 4-week stays. Contact: Access to this program is made through the local CSSS.
Corner Brook Long Term Care Home
Location: 40 University Drive, Corner Brook, Newfoundland
Details: Individuals admitted for a brief predetermined period of time to provide relief to the caregiver pending bed availability.
Contact: (709) 637-3999 Website
In-Home:
Qualicare Home Health Care
Location: 6315 Clear View Rd., Victoria, B.C.
Details: Qualicare focuses on care for the whole family so you can focus on your loved ones. Essentially, Qualicare takes on the role of “professional son or daughter” allowing you to minimize your stress so you can enjoy quality time with your family and peace of mind.
Alzheimer Society of Windsor-Essex County, Ontario
Details: Care is provided at the client’s or caregiver’s home. A visit to the specific home/homes by Society staff must be conducted prior to services being provided.
Contact: (519) 974-2220 ext. 231 Website
VON “Take a Break” In-Home Respite Program
Location: 400 Victoria Avenue North, Hamilton, Ont.
Details: Family caregivers who are caring for adult family members with dementia or other long term condition at home are eligible to apply.
Contact: 905-523-1055 ext. 405 Website
SPRINT Senior Care
Location: 140 Merton Street, Second Floor, Toronto, ON
Details: SPRINT Senior Care’s In-Home services department provides a range of home care services to promote living at home independently and safely for seniors, as well as to provide respite for caregivers. These services include homemaking and personal care.
Contact: 416-481-6411 Website
Alzheimer Groupe Inc. Respite Program
Location: Currently providing service to more than 1,500 Montreal families annually.
Details: This program benefits individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and their family caregivers and is designed for individuals who are unable to leave home and who have limited financial capacity to engage professional caregivers for any respite.
Contact: 514-485-7233 Website
ScotiaCare
Location: 644 Portland Street, Suite 332, Dartmouth, N.S.
Details: ScotiaCare specializes in dementia care, live-in care, short-term respite and the care of veterans in the patient’s own home.
Contact: 902-454-3777 Website