Janssen-Ortho Inc.

Your convenient, one-stop centre for services and valuable information saves you time, energy and money. What's more, you will be able to link directly to associations and agencies dedicated to seniors and the elderly for additional help. So, whether you are planning for future eldercare needs, or helping yourself or an elderly person today, the Caregiver and Consumer Resource Centre offers:

Future Planning: Tips that can help you get organized and effectively plan for your future.

Insurance: Summary of different types of coverage that are available to help you make the right choice.

Adult Care Options: An overview of a broad range of living arrangements to help you choose the right place to live.

Long-Term Care Sites: E-resource to Web sites addressing a range of issues relating to long-term care.

Future Planning

Planning ahead requires getting organized, and it takes time and patience. By planning ahead, you can help yourself or someone you may be caring for maintain a better quality of life. Here are some helpful tips on ways to effectively plan for the future.

Helpful Tips

Goal setting - To achieve your goals, begin with a realistic and clear course of action. Set priorities and try not to complete everything at once.

Start early - Allowing yourself enough time to research all the various options will provide better results.

Create support systems - Build an inner circle of people who understand and share your goals. Also, know what resources are available in your community.

Keep organized - Keep all eldercare-related bills, receipts, notes, and documents in a single, safe place you can conveniently get to. Create a filing system, and organize by whatever method works for you.

Keep a written record - Keep a notebook and record important communications. Write down dates, names of contact persons, phone conversations, cost of services.

Create a medical history - Collect medical history documents to help physicians better diagnose and treat your, or an elder's condition. Update the medical history file on a regular basis.

Legal - Keep all important legal papers, financial documents, birth certificates, insurance policies, etc. in one place.

Estate planning - Set up estate-planning goals for the short-term/long-term.

Click on any of these helpful sites to get more information about future planning.

Living Wills

"Is a Living Will Legal in Canada"
University of Toronto Joint Centre for BioEthics
[With links to other "End of Life" resources]
http://www.utoronto.ca/jcb/_lwdisclaimer/canchap2.htm

Living Wills Registry (Canada)
[Registry, information, and links maintained by Ontario physician]
http://www.sentex.net/~lwr/

Finance / Legal / Planning,

Tax Information For Seniors
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
[Search the Topical Index]
http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/tax/
individuals/seniors/index-e.html

The Canadian Seniors Policies and Programs Databases
Health Canada
[The SPPD is a database of government policies and programs for which seniors are the primary beneficiaries. It was developed and is maintained by federal, provincial, and territorial governments."]
http://www.sppd.gc.ca/default_e.html

Insurance

The importance of having the right coverage
With the rising cost of eldercare, it is critical to make sure that you or an elder has the right level of insurance. Without enough insurance coverage, serious financial problems can occur. That's why it is important to take a close look at insurance policies to determine your level and extent of coverage. Also, look closely at current insurance needs because things may have changed since you or an elder first purchased the original policy. If so, you may need to update the policy.

Canadian Insurance
Ontario http://www.gov.on.ca/health/english/
program/ohip/ohip_mn.html
Alberta http://www.health.gov.ab.ca/ahcip/
British Columbia http://www.gov.bc.ca/healthservices/
Saskatchewan http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/
Quebec http://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/crc/
Nova Scotia http://www.gov.ns.ca/health/
New Brunswick http://www.gnb.ca/HW-SM/hw/index.htm
Prince Edward Island http://www.gov.pe.ca/hss/index.php3
Manitoba http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/

Adult Care Options
There is a broad range of living arrangements with support services for seniors and the elderly. Sometimes, moving out of their home will improve an elder's quality of life and give them greater independence. There are other options to consider besides moving into a nursing home.

Independent Living/Senior Residential Communities

Assisted Living

Continuing-Care Retirement Communities

Nursing Homes

Independent Living/Senior Residential Communities - These communities provide a range of services if you or the elder are not dependent on care. They offer transportation, banking, pharmacies, social activities, dining and security. These communities tend to cater to healthy and active residents. Many of these types of facilities offer the option of renting apartments or townhouses.

Assisted Living - If you or an elder are in fairly good health but need help in performing certain basic tasks of daily living, then this may be a good option. These facilities offer a range of services including meals, housekeeping, transportation, and assistance with bathing, dressing, and toileting. Residents also have access to medical services. Gather as much information as you can on the facility you are considering. If you decide that this is the housing option you want, it is important to compare their services with other facilities.

Continuing-Care Retirement Communities - These offer independent living in a community that provides a full range of services, from apartments to full-time nursing care. In order to be eligible to become a resident, an elder must be able to get around on their own and be capable of caring for themselves. However, if their health changes, they are assured of housing and medical services for the rest of their life. This option tends to be very expensive, but it may be appropriate for those who can afford it.

Nursing Homes - When independent living is no longer possible for you or an elder, or when a medical condition requires continued monitoring, this may be the option of choice. In a nursing home, a registered nurse works with a physician to provide care on a regular basis. Unlike other housing options, nursing homes admit residents only with a physician's order.

Long-Term Care Sites
E-Care – your e-resource to Web sites addressing a range of issues relating to long-term care of the elderly.

Tips on Choosing a Retirement Residence
Ontario Residential Care Association
http://www.orca-homes.com/choosing.html

Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/burema/
readaspr/readaspr_002.cfm

[SCIP Housing (SeniorsCan Internet Program)
"This collection of information on housing is meant to help seniors find or change their housing situation."]
http://www.crm.mb.ca/housing/index.html

Senior’s Housing Update
Gerontology Research Centre
Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre, Vancouver
[Journal]
http://www.harbour.sfu.ca/gero/shup.html

Homes for the Aged, a Division of Toronto Community and Neighbourhood Services
City of Toronto
http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/depts/
commserv_homesaged.htm

Long-Term Care for Seniors
Ottawa City Services
http://www.city.ottawa.on.ca/city_services/
housing/12_4_en.shtml

Long-Term Care, Nova Scotia
Senior Citizens' Secretariat, Nova Scotia
[Contact information]
http://www.gov.ns.ca/scs/