Caring for an aging parent is a significant responsibility, and no two people (or families) are exactly alike. Each of our clients has unique needs, preferences, living arrangements and support systems, and these elements influence the level of care we provide. Many seniors function independently but benefit from assistance with bathing and dressing, while others require more in-depth support with their mobility, nutrition, personal hygiene and more. At the end of the day, it’s personal—that’s why we tailor our services to each client in order to offer the best possible care.
If you’re unsure about how much care your aging loved one needs or how often a Personal Support Worker (PSW) should be scheduled to assist them, please contact us—our team would be pleased to discuss your needs, goals and budget in order to make personalized recommendations.
How much care is needed?
Before you start thinking about how many hours of assistance would be ideal, consider your loved one’s needs (and your own). Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- What are my loved one’s specific challenges? (Bathing and/or dressing, toileting, mobility, eating well and staying hydrated, taking medication as scheduled, cognitive decline, etc)
- Are they safe on their own for periods of time? If so, for how long? (Consider their cognitive, physical and emotional needs)
- How much care am I willing and able to provide myself? (Are you highly involved or only available on weekends/occasionally? Do other family members play a supportive role?)
- What is my loved one comfortable with? (It may be beneficial to introduce a PSW gradually in order to help your loved one adapt to receiving care)
- Does my loved one value companionship? (If so, consider longer or more frequent shifts.)
Choose from part-time, daily or 24/hr care
Depending on your family’s needs, Living Assistance Services can provide part-time care, daily care or 24/hr support. Part-time care might involve shorter shifts on a daily basis (a minimum of four hours applies—often scheduled in the morning or at bedtime) or longer shifts several times a week (every other day, twice a week, or whatever else is optimal). If a client requires 24-hour caregiver support, we are able to arrange this as well. Living Assistance Services also provides respite care, convalescent care and palliative care services. Please contact us to learn more about these options or schedule a free consultation with our care team.
Adjust your schedule as needed
At Living Assistance Services, our goal is to support both clients and their families, and we understand that caregiving is a fluid process. If you hire a Personal Support Worker and later realize you need more (or fewer) shifts than anticipated, don’t worry—our services are flexible and designed to meet your family’s evolving needs. Any time your loved one’s needs change, you can easily add or reduce the number of shifts in your care schedule by contacting us. You are also welcome to cancel services without penalty if they are no longer needed.
Contact us to learn more
When a loved one needs care, family members often step up—but they don’t need to do it all alone. Living Assistance Services offers high quality, personalized homecare services in Toronto, Mississauga and the surrounding areas. We only hire the very best Personal Support Workers and are dedicated to providing exceptional in-home care to seniors and individuals with chronic conditions. To learn more, please visit our website or contact us—our care team is available 24/7, and we look forward to speaking with you!