Stages, Tips and Tools
8 significant stages
in the caregiving journey
Tips & Advice
- Share your concerns (family, friends, colleagues, neighbours).
- Gather all the information concerning your relative in the same place with the practical index cards below.
Tools
Practical checklists for natural caregivers
- Checklist – general information about the assisted person
- Checklist – directory (resources for the assisted person)
- Checklist – important documents for the assisted person
- Checklist – health
- Checklist – activities of daily life
- Personal Identification Form – profiling tool – person with cognitive difficulties
Tips & Advice
- Plan an appointment with your relative’s doctor. If your relative does not have a doctor, it is possible to register online:
On the internet at: gamf.gouv.qc.ca – click on “Registering with a family doctor”
By phone at: 450-627-2530, ext. 64267 - Do not hesitate to use services offered to you. Be proactive! If there are waiting lists, register as soon as possible. Note that you can request services from several organisations at the same time.
Tips & Advice
- Make sure your relative is not alone when he/she has a doctor’s appointment. Prepare your questions in advance and take notes.
- Get information on hospital’s parking fee packages.
- Gather and update all of your relative’s legal and fiscal documents (mandate in case of incapacity/protection mandate, power of attorney, will, etc.).
Éducaloi : “Caregivers: Practical Legal Tools”
Tips & Advice
- To get home support services from the CLSC, a professional assessment is required by the CISSS de Laval.
- Keep your receipts. You might be entitled to certain tax credits.
- Make sure you clearly understand the roles of the various professionals by consulting the glossary below.
Tools
Services Quebec : Programs and Services for Seniors
Tips & Advice
- Take care of yourself. Identify your limits and respect them. Call upon organizations that support caregivers.
- Let your relative get involved as much as possible in the decision-making process and do not hesitate to get help.
- If your relative is admitted to the hospital, favour an approach adapted to seniors. To better understand the approach, consult the documents below.
Tools
Adapted approach to the elderly :
Tips & Advice
- Contact the CISSS de Laval to get information and support when choosing a public home-care facility.
- Contact a Senior Citizen Housing Consultant for a private senior residence. This service is free. A list is available at the Quebec Association of Consultants for Services to Seniors.
- If your financial situation becomes precarious once your spouse has moved to a private residence, look into Involuntary Separation Program established by the Federal Government.
Tips & Advice
- Inquire about end of life and grieving support.
- The grieving process is different for each individual. Follow your own pace. Listen to your needs and do what makes you feel good. Don’t isolate yourself.
- If you are working, ask about the Compassionate Care Benefits offered by the Federal Government.
Tools
Palliative Care: Info Sheets for Seniors
What to do in the event of a death
Tips & Advice
- Try to find a balance between your commitments, your needs and your wishes.
- Make time for yourself. Community centers offer various activities.
Tools
Healthy Living for Seniors
Mental Fitness Tips