email page to a friendDirectories – Child Care and Elder Care
Making sure our children and our aging parents are well looked after when we’re not with them is a big concern for all of us. Juggling the demands of work, children and elder care can be difficult. Here’s some information that can start you in the right direction. If you’d like more help with this, talk to a Source Line Counsellor.
Making the Right Child Care Decision
In Ontario, parents can choose between three types of child care arrangements:
Licensed Centre based care
Licensed Private Home Day Care
Informal (Unlicensed) Child Care (including Nannies in the home)
There are pros and cons to each of these options. Making the right decision for your child/children is a personal one.
Here are a couple of helpful places to begin your search:
Ontario Early Years Centre (1 866 821 7770) or www.ontarioearlyyears.ca.
www.helpwevegotkids.com
Recommended Reading for Parenting
Making the Right Elder Care Decision
In Ontario there are a number of options for care and resources to support your elderly parent or relative:
In-home support
Private retirement homes
Long-term care facilities (which provide 24-hour care, 7 days a week)
- In-home support can be purchased privately through agencies that provide Personal Service Workers or it can be obtained through the government for those that meet specific eligibility criteria based on level of functioning (CCAC – Community Care Access Centre).
- Private retirement homes provide room and board in settings designed for elderly residents. These homes can provide additional support such as assistance in dressing, etc. for a fee. Private retirement homes are not regulated by the government however the Ontario Residential Care Association (ORCA) certifies its member homes based on quality of care.
- Long-term care facilities (formerly known as “Nursing Homes” or “Old Age Homes”) provide 24-hour care. Eligibility is determined for residents with a valid Ontario Health Care through the Community Care Access Centre. The government pays for the nursing and personal care costs and the resident pays for the accommodation costs. Subsidies are available for those who can’t afford their share of the cost.
If you want guidance as to which option is best for your elderly parent, start with your local Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) at www.oaccac.on.ca and choose "locator" to find the link to the CCAC in your area.
For more information on private retirement homes – visit Ontario Retirement Community Association.