Watching a parent or spouse navigate dementia is one of life's most difficult journeys. And at some point, every family faces the same question: When is it time to get help?
This guide will help you recognize the signs, understand your options, and find the right dementia home care in Montreal—so your loved one can stay safe and comfortable at home, and you can find some peace of mind.
Understanding How Dementia Care Needs Change
Dementia isn't a single condition—it's a progression. And care needs don't increase gradually; they often change in unexpected leaps.
Early Stage: Your loved one may forget names or misplace things, but they can still manage most daily activities. The main needs are companionship, gentle reminders, and help staying socially engaged.
Middle Stage: This is where things shift significantly. Memory gaps widen. Your loved one may struggle with bathing, dressing, or managing medications. Behavioral changes like agitation or sundowning (confusion in the evening) often emerge. Supervision becomes essential.
Late Stage: Round-the-clock care is typically needed. Help with eating, mobility, and all personal care becomes necessary. Communication becomes difficult, though connection remains possible.
Here's what catches many families off guard: the transition from "managing okay" to "we need help now" can happen quickly. Planning ahead—before a crisis—gives you more options and less stress.
Signs It's Time for Professional Home Care
How do you know when family caregiving isn't enough anymore? Here are the signs that professional dementia home care could help.
Safety Has Become a Concern
Trust your instincts here. If you're worried about safety, there's usually a reason.
- Wandering: Your loved one leaves the house at odd hours or gets lost in familiar places
- Kitchen accidents: Forgetting the stove is on, burning food, or leaving water running
- Falls: Unsteady walking, especially at night or when getting up from chairs
- Medication errors: Taking too much, too little, or forgetting doses entirely
One serious incident is often what pushes families to seek help—but you don't have to wait for a crisis.
You're Experiencing Caregiver Burnout
Family caregivers often don't recognize burnout until they're deep in it. Ask yourself:
- Are you exhausted, even after sleeping?
- Do you feel anxious, irritable, or resentful?
- Is your own health suffering—skipped appointments, weight changes, chronic stress?
- Have you pulled back from work, friendships, or activities you used to enjoy?
Caregiver burnout isn't a personal failure. Dementia care is a marathon, and no one can run it alone. Getting professional support helps you be a better daughter, son, or spouse—not a worse one.
Care Needs Exceed What You Can Provide
There's no shame in admitting that some care tasks require training and experience:
- Personal care: Bathing, toileting, and dressing someone with dementia requires patience, technique, and often physical strength
- Behavioral changes: Aggression, paranoia, or resistance to care can be frightening and exhausting without proper training
- Medical complexity: Managing medications, monitoring health changes, and communicating with doctors takes time and expertise
Professional caregivers aren't replacing you—they're extending what you can do.
Social Isolation Is Setting In
Dementia can be isolating for everyone involved:
- Your loved one may withdraw from activities, friends, or even family conversations
- You may find yourself turning down invitations because you can't leave them alone
- The world shrinks for both of you
A trained companion can help your loved one stay engaged while giving you space to maintain your own life and relationships.
Types of Dementia Home Care Services
Not all home care is the same. Here's what's available in Montreal:
Companion Care
Best for early-stage dementia. A caregiver provides:
- Conversation and social engagement
- Light housekeeping and meal preparation
- Medication reminders
- Accompaniment to appointments and activities
Typical cost: $35-37/hour
Personal Care
For middle-stage dementia when hands-on help is needed:
- Bathing, showering, and grooming assistance
- Dressing and toileting support
- Mobility help and transfer assistance
- Incontinence care
Typical cost: $37-39/hour
Specialized Dementia Care
Caregivers with specific training in Alzheimer's and dementia:
- Behavioral management techniques
- Memory activities and cognitive stimulation
- Consistent routines (crucial for reducing anxiety)
- Safety monitoring and wandering prevention
Typical cost: $37-39/hour
Live-In Care
For families needing round-the-clock presence:
- A dedicated caregiver lives in the home
- 24-hour availability for supervision and care
- Comprehensive support including all services above
- Often more affordable than you'd expect compared to facilities
Typical cost: ~$450/day
Respite Care
Short-term relief for family caregivers:
- A few hours a week so you can run errands or rest
- Overnight coverage so you can sleep
- Extended coverage for vacations or your own health needs
- Emergency support when unexpected situations arise
Typical cost: $35-39/hour
What to Expect: The Home Care Process
If you've never arranged professional care before, here's how it typically works:
1. Free Consultation
A conversation (by phone, video, or chat with Clara, our AI care assistant) to understand your situation and answer initial questions. No obligation, no pressure.
2. In-Home Assessment
A Care Manager visits your loved one's home to assess care needs, safety concerns, and the home environment. This is also a chance to ask questions face-to-face.
3. Custom Care Plan
Based on the assessment, we develop a personalized plan that matches your loved one's needs, preferences, and schedule.
4. Caregiver Matching
This is critical for dementia care. Consistency matters—your loved one will do better with familiar faces. We match caregivers based on personality, experience, and schedule, with the goal of building a long-term relationship.
5. Care Begins
Usually within days of finalizing the plan. The first few visits focus on building rapport and establishing routines.
6. Ongoing Supervision
Regular check-ins from a Care Manager, with adjustments as needs change. You're never on your own.
Dementia Home Care Costs in Quebec
Let's talk about what this actually costs—and how to make it work.
Typical Rates in Montreal
- Hourly care: $35-39/hour depending on care level
- Live-in care: Approximately $450/day
- Minimum requirements: Most agencies require 4-hour minimum visits and 12 hours per week
Why minimums? Shorter visits don't allow enough time to build rapport, complete care tasks properly, and maintain the consistency that dementia care requires.
Making It Affordable
Tax Credits: Both federal and Quebec provincial tax credits are available for home care expenses. Keep all receipts—your accountant can help you claim these.
Insurance: Some extended health plans and long-term care insurance policies cover home care. Check your policy or call your provider.
Compared to Facilities: Private rooms in Montreal-area care facilities often run $5,000-8,000+ per month. Home care can be more affordable, especially when family members share some of the caregiving.
Start Small: You don't have to commit to full-time care immediately. Many families start with a few hours a week and increase as needed.
Questions to Ask Any Home Care Provider
Before choosing a provider, ask these questions:
- Are your caregivers specifically trained in dementia care? General home care training isn't enough.
- What happens if our regular caregiver is sick or on vacation? Consistency matters—how do they handle substitutions?
- How do you handle behavioral challenges? Ask for specific examples.
- Can we meet potential caregivers before they start? You should feel comfortable with who's coming into your home.
- What's your supervision process? How often does a manager check in? Who do you call with concerns?
- Are you licensed and insured? This protects everyone.
Montreal Resources for Dementia Families
You're not alone in this. Here are local resources that can help:
Alzheimer Society of Montreal
Support groups, education programs, and a helpline for families navigating dementia. They offer services in English and French.
Website: alzheimermontreal.ca
CLSC Services
Quebec's public health system provides some home care services at no cost. Availability varies and wait times can be long, but it's worth exploring. Your local CLSC can assess eligibility.
Day Programs
Many community centers and residences offer day programs for people with dementia—activities, socialization, and supervision while family caregivers work or rest.
Support Groups
Connecting with other families on the same journey can be invaluable. The Alzheimer Society and local community centers often host caregiver support groups.
Professional home care works alongside these resources—not instead of them.
You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
Here's what we want you to know: seeking help isn't giving up. It's not admitting defeat. It's making sure your loved one gets the best possible care while protecting your own health and wellbeing.
The families we work with often say the same thing: "I wish we'd done this sooner."
If you're wondering whether it's time, it probably is. And the first step is just a conversation.
Ready to explore your options?
Chat with Clara — our care assistant can answer your questions right now
Schedule a Free Consultation — speak with a care advisor, no obligation
Call us: 514-935-4600 — we're here Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm
Signature Care provides professional home care services throughout Greater Montreal, including the West Island, South Shore, and Laval. Our caregivers receive specialized training in Alzheimer's and dementia care through the Alzheimer Society of Montreal.
