Which is the best nursing care service for Alzheimer's patients?

What stage is the disease in? What are your aunt's current impairments?

Where is she living now? Persons with dementia cannot live alone beyond the very earliest stage, so either in-home help, living with family, or placement in a care center is required.

Many ALZ patients can live in a private home (with aides or with family) for many years. In other cases the patient quickly moves into a stage where a professional care setting is needed. Perhaps that is where your aunt is at, since you are not able to handle her alone.

For most of us, cost is a factor. The most expensive option is usually 24-hour care at home, either live-in caregivers or 3 shifts per day.

Explain a little more about your aunt's situation and we may be able to tell you things to consider. But each case is different and one size does not fit all!

I'm not familiar with the Canadian social/healthcate system, but here in the US, you would start with what is called a "needs assessment". Your aunt's physician may be able to help you find an agency, like the Visiting Nurse service who can conduct this.

The question is, what does she need assistance with? Can she walk, toilet, bathe and dress herself
? Prepare meals, feed herself?

Look up "activities of daily living" and you'll get an idea of what she needs help with.

No one "wants" to go to a nursing home. However, do you really think a person with dementia has the ability to reason what is in their best interests? You choose what you think would be best. Canada has different healthcare requirements than does the U.S.

The "needs assessment" is a good idea. I would make sure that someone who really knows her needs is present though to ensure that the person taking the information is able to get the full and accurate picture. Some people report that they are able to do a lot of things, that they are not able to do. They may report that they an bathe themselves, but in fact, they haven't bathed on their own accord in months. They may say they can cook, but they don't actually have the skills to cook.

All very good posts and I agree that someone with an impairment can not and SHOULD not make decisions. My mother would NEVER had agreed to go to a facility but when she got hard to handle that was our only choice. If you talked with her for 5 minutes she could trick you into thinking she was fine but longer than that and anyone could see she wasn't. That s why It's best to have her evaluated by a geriatric doctor for more than 5 minutes. Not sure how far along she is but sounds like she can't live by herself. Might have to "trick" her into going to dr. for a place you want the dr. to look at on her back. My mother would never go to the dr. Ohhhh, the stories I could tell. :) Funny now, not then. Social worker is a good place to start also. Attny next to get financial things in order. Might have to tell her attny is for you and that you need her to "help" you sign things. Anyway, good luck and God Bless.

I believe you should get an evaluation through Social Services whereas a nurse comes in and evaluates your aunt. She can determine what kind of help she needs and what types of services are in your area that can help.

Also I would contact the Office of the Aging in your area as they are very helpful to connect you with resources/Nursing Homes/Assisted Living Facilities that are available in your area. Some Assisted Living Facilities are for Veterans here too.

Some Nursing Homes here in NY (USA) have Assisted Living and then if needed a place to go into Long Term Care if needed which is a part of the facility.

Sunny makes a good point. A family member should be present.

In Toronto you would need to contact your local community care access centre (CCAC) for an evaluation by a care coordinator. They can help you determine what level of care she needs. She will not be considered for a nursing home (long term care) unless she meets the criteria, and in the GTA I expect the waiting list to get into one is long.
Some ALs will be better equipped to handle someone with Alzheimer's than others, you will need to shrewdly assess the level of care each one truly provides and have it in writing if you go that route. And remember you always pay more for each additional service.
A limited amount of home care can be provided by CCAC, up to 60 hours a month (but good luck getting that much). You can also purchase extra care as needed.

75% of all Alzheimer's patients live with family.

LadyMiller: Does this 75% live with family from onset of Alzheimer's until death? I don't see how that would be possible as the patient worsens. The home caregiver would have to be a saint.