Elder care gaps occur as family structures change, and there may be unanticipated and challenging consequences. For parents who have long divorced, those who have remarried, and those with blended families, this may mean that adult children are now dealing with three or more parents and stepparents. As the caregiver…
Recently, an elderly patient suffering from moderate-to-advanced stage dementia, with behavioural complications, was hospitalized on a psychiatric admission. The patient, who was declared incapable to consent to treatment, was initially held involuntarily under the Mental Health Act, RSO 1990, C M.7 (the “MHA”). The patient had appointed a cousin as…
On June 20, 2024, I attended the annual Ontario Bar Association’s Elder Law Day, where several informative presentations noted the rise in personal care disputes. Speakers also explored approaches that lawyers might consider to manage these disputes. The presentations triggered me to write about common issues we see related to…
There are three truisms behind care disputes. Every caregiving situation is unique. Conflicts arise when making difficult care decisions. There is no one care solution or dispute resolution that suits all cases. To complicate matters further, the cost of care can easily escalate, and privatization of health care is expanding….
Managing the care of an older person can be one of the most challenging situations ever undertaken by a family or group of friends. And it is normal for some conflict to arise over the health and personal care needs and the many ways to address those needs. No two…
May is National Caregiver Month in Canada and with the spotlight on caregiving, a perfect storm is brewing. Caregivers glue together our fragmented health care and social care services. They provide the majority of care as well. Did you know that more health care occurs in the home than elsewhere?…
April is Parkinson’s Awareness month. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s that affects the brain and cognitive function. While care management for Alzheimer’s and other dementias often gets more visibility, Parkinson’s disease can be just as complex to manage. With an aging population, the incidence…
This article is the third in a series exploring the challenges people may face when they choose ‘aging in place’ at home. While health care and personal needs may be complex, the family members or attorneys may also have to manage the entire household. With the added complexities and potential…
Many older people are choosing the option of ‘aging in place’ at home, and as they age, some will have complex health care and personal care needs. To effectively plan for care and manage the care journey, the person responsible for managing their care will need easy access to secure…
As our population ages, more people are faced with caring for an elderly family member who wishes to remain at home despite their complex health and personal care needs. A few years ago, I wrote an article about the proliferation of healthcare coordinators, navigators, and community care coordinators trying to…
