getting-started

Willingdon

Peace River

Eckville

St Albert

Bashaw

Rimbey

Strathmore

Evansburg

Canmore

Coquitlam

Fort Saskatchewan

Lloydminster

Coronation

Redwater

Oyen

Kinuso

Crossfield

Slave Lake

Fort Mcmurray

Hinton

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Islay

Banff

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Spirit River

High River

Vulcan

Provost

Breton

Taber

Forestburg

Magrath

Barnwell

Beaumont

Mundare

Sedgewick

Cochrane

Elk Point

Airdrie

Wetaskiwin

Bow Island

Viking

High Level

Vegreville

Whitecourt

Stettler

Gleichen

Westlock

Valleyview

Linden

St. Albert

Sexsmith

Cardston

Stand Off

Lougheed

Okotoks

Castor

Mannville

Rocky Mountain House

Pincher Creek

Grimshaw

St. Paul

Olds

Sylvan Lake

Athabasca

Carstairs

Jasper

Cold Lake

Blairmore

Milk River

Barrhead

Hardisty

Myrnam

Falher

Devon

Thorhild

Smoky Lake

Vilna

Morinville

Camrose

Coaldale

Fort Chipewyan

Lethbridge

Edson

Carvel

Lacombe

Two Hills

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Mayerthorpe

Picture Butte

Onoway

Hythe

Fairview

Morrin

Sherwood Park

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Black Diamond

Berwyn

Ashmont

Brooks

Cared Upon 9

I need support arranging care for myself or a loved one. Where do I start? 

Getting Started with Retirement Care

Arranging care for yourself or a loved one can seem complicated. &nbsp;To get started, there are four steps when arranging senior care services.&nbsp;

Arranging care for yourself or a loved one can seem complicated.To get started, there are four steps when arranging care services.&nbsp;1) Request for an assessment for services from a local home or community care office&nbsp;2) Prepare for your assessment or services&nbsp;3) Develop your unique care plan&nbsp;4) Begin your care services

When you or someone you know needs care, you can contact your local home or community care office to request an assessment for services. If you’re already working with a health care professional, including a doctor, nurse, pharmacist or social worker, they can make a referral for you.

Once your local home and community care office receives a request for assessment, either from yourself or a health care professional, you will be contacted. The health care professional from the local home or community care office will work with you to determine your eligibility for services and/or arrange for an assessment if it is necessary.  
If for any reason you or your loved one is not eligible for home and community care services or you do not require an assessment for services, you will receive a referral to other resources. 


An assessment for services with a health care professional is a meeting to talk about your current living situation and assess your unique health care needs.&nbsp;To prepare for your meeting, you will need to have:&nbsp;• Your health care card• Your family doctor and the best number to reach them at&nbsp;• A close relative or friend that the care services office can contact&nbsp;• Information about any prescription medications you are taking&nbsp;• Your pension cheque stubs&nbsp;• Your income tax return or notice of assessment&nbsp;The health care professional will also work with you to answer the following questions:&nbsp;• Am I eligible for care?&nbsp;• What services are needed to meet my unique health care needs and situation?&nbsp;• How long will I need care services for?&nbsp;• Will the services cost me anything? If so, how much will that be?&nbsp;It is important to remember that you and your loved one have the right to consent to care by your health authority. Make sure your questions are answered and explained so you have an understanding of the next steps ahead.&nbsp;To prepare further for your meeting, Cared Upon recommends you have:&nbsp;• A list of questions you have about home and community care services&nbsp;• Documents or any information that could be helpful to further assess your unique health care needs&nbsp;• A family member, close relative or friend to attend the meeting with you. It can be helpful to have an extra pair of ears to provide support or ask any questions you might miss.

Once it is determined that you are eligible for services, a health care professional will work with you to co-create a care plan that meet your unique health care needs. 
This plan will serve as a guide for everyone on your caregiving team. As your care situation evolves and changes, your care plan will be updated by the health care professional. 


The time it takes to begin your care services will depend on the urgency for the need of the particular care service. This will be determined by the health care professional during your assessment for services meeting. Many health care professionals use an “urgency criteria” to prioritize access to care services. The urgency criteria will vary depending on where you are located and whether you are accessing home or community care.&nbsp;Generally, this is based on:&nbsp;• Is there an urgency to access health care needs right now?&nbsp;• What is the current availability for home and community caregivers and support?&nbsp;• Is there a potential risk from abuse, neglect, or self-neglect that requires assistance in managing your day-to-day needs?

Getting Started

1.  Request an assessment for services from a local home or community care office 

2.  Prepare for your assessment of services 

3.  Develop your unique care plan

4.  Begin your care services

Cared Upon 21

What are the Care Options Available for Me? 

There are a number of care options available for seniors. &nbsp;Read on to learn what they are and find out which one may be right for you

There is a spectrum of care options available depending on your unique health care needs. These include:&nbsp;

Active Adult Living are often gated or planned communities, that are built to provide you with the utmost flexibility. You may choose this living option if you are comfortable with living on your own. These communities allow you to choose to live with people around the same age and those who have the same interests as you. When you choose active adult living, you choose a community with on-site services and amenities such as 24-hour security, golf courses, art classes, recreation centres, gyms and fitness classes, spas, lawn bowling, and tennis courts. When you live in active adult living communities, you also don’t have to worry about maintaining you living space such as mowing your lawn or clearing your driveway.  

Independent Living allows you to live with people around the same age and interests in a care-free and stress-free community. This option is for you if you are comfortable with living on your own, have good physical health, and have good cognitive health, but would like extra assistance with tasks around your living space such as with cooking, laundry and in-home maintenance. Often, independent living communities offer recreational programs similar to active adult living communities as well.  

Home Care allows you to stay in the comfort of your own home and get the day-to-day assistance you may need. This is ideal if you have some physical or cognitive health limitations. The type of assistance will depend on your needs including medication assistance, transportation, and cooking. Other services could include respite care and palliative care. Sometimes, these services are eligible through your home or community care providers. 

Assisted Living homes are sometimes referred to as personal care homes or assisted care communities. This option is ideal if you are still able to live independently but have some physical or cognitive health limitations. In assisted living communities, you have on-site daily support including personal care, mobility and transportation, cooking, and medication assistance. Care in these facilities are tailored to meet your unique needs. Often, assisted living communities will also offer social, cultural, recreational and educational activities. 

Long-Term Care allows you to have all-inclusive 24-hour assistance including personal care, hygiene, mobilit, and transportation, and medication assistance. This is an option if you have physical or cognitive health limitations such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. Often, you will be assessed by a social service agency for long-term care services. Depending on where you live, long-term care is usually covered by the Ministry of Health.  

Respite Care offers you short-term care that can range from 24-hours to 90 days, depending on your unique health needs and living situation. These services are offered in-home or at retirement homes. This is for you if you have any physical or cognitive health limitations. The respite care services offered include personal care, hygiene, mobility and transportation, and medication assistance. Often, it is recommended by your home or community care office. 

Convalescent Care allows you to be cared for after surgery such as knee or hip surgery. This is a short-term care service similar to respite care that is offered in retirement homes. Convalescent care offers 24-hour care in cases of emergencies and routine doctor check-ups. Sometimes, retirement homes offering convalescent care have amenities and services to help with your recovery including pools, spas, gyms, and physiotherapy. 

Palliative Care allows you to have the right care if you are experiencing a terminal, serious illness. It is also referred to as comfort care, end-of-life care or hospice care. This can be offered in retirement homes or in-home. If you choose palliative care in retirement homes, there may be other services available such as spas and physiotherapy. 

Care Options

Adult Active Living

Independent Living

Home Care

Assisted Living

Long Term Care

Respite Care

Palliative Care 

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<a href="https://www.caredupon.ca/care-advisor/apply">Click here to match with a Cared Upon Senior Living Advisor today.</a>

Find The Support You Need With a Senior Living Advisor 

You or your loved ones have come to an important conclusion–it’s time to seek additional living support. Independent research is a critical first step in this process, but you’ve realized just how much information is out there. Navigating the digital maze of elder care providers’ websites, blogs, and independent resources can often lead to more questions than answers. Senior Living Advisors are here to help guide you all the way through the process, from initial research to moving day.&nbsp;&nbsp;Senior Living Advisors (SLAs), sometimes referred to as Senior Living Consultants, Senior Living Care Professionals, or Elder Care Advisors, are not affiliated with specific care facilities, working independently to ensure that you find the perfect residence. Each Senior Living Advisor is equipped with a wealth of experience in the senior care industry, and has access to information sometimes unavailable to families. Their goal isn’t to rush you through this already stressful process– they’re here to empower your decision making with the support and resources you need.&nbsp;

You’ve likely already noticed that the existing senior care landscape is not exactly conducive to independent research– care homes’ guides, blogs, and resources sometimes host competing information, or are colored by their intention to attract new residents. Senior Living Advisors have guided families through this process before, allowing them to provide you with specific, relevant information. Since Senior Living Advisors are not affiliated with a particular facility, you can trust them to be honest and objective. Not only will they be able to discuss the levels of available care, vacancies in your area, and how to pay for it, they’ll also have a qualitative sense of each community.

Senior Living Advisors work for you– not for care providers. Before your SLA begins the discussion about available facilities, they spend time getting to know you. All of their recommendations are based on you or your loved one’s personal wants, needs, required care, budget, and personality. Armed with a thorough understanding of your needs, they’re able to advocate on your behalf and deliver a rich, personalized experience. What’s more, your advisor’s job doesn’t stop once you’ve received a handful of recommendations; your Senior Living Advisor stays involved in your provider search until well after you’ve settled in.&nbsp;

Choosing a residence is one of the most important moves of your or loved ones’ life. With so many key factors to consider, this process takes time. Senior Living Advisors are happy to move as quickly or as slowly as you need them to. If you’re looking for a residence right away, their connections with care providers can expedite your move-in day, but if you’re just starting your journey– they’re happy to use those same relationships to book as many tours as you need. Your comfort and confidence is the foundation of a successful placement.

<a href="https://www.caredupon.ca/care-advisor/apply">Click here to match with a Cared Upon Senior Living Advisor today.&nbsp;</a> You'll be expertly matched with an advisor from our team with more than 35 years of senior care placement experience.

Each advisor will take the time to:&nbsp;<ol><li>Generate and understanding of your or your loved one's care needs</li><li>Explore a diverse array of options in your area and budget</li><li>Research and interview facilities nearby facilities on your behalf</li><li>Arrange in-person residence tours to experience their facilities and services</li><li>Work together to determine the perfect fit</li></ol>