Seniors and persons with age-related decreased independence

The health and social service centres (CSSS) offer many services to seniors and persons with decreased independence, their families and caregivers, including:

• overall health evaluations;
• evaluations of home adaptation needs; 
• advice on nutrition, exercise, healthy lifestyle habits and fall prevention; 
• physiotherapy;
• respite for caregivers;
• occupational therapy services (evaluation of home adaptation needs, evaluation of functional capabilities to perform personal hygiene tasks and take part in leisure activities);
• assistance with personal care; 
• nursing care; 
• psychological support; and 
• end-of-life care and homemaking assistance. 

These services may be offered at the CLSC or at home. Some services are also provided in cooperation with community organizations.

When home care services no longer suffice to meet the needs of a person whose autonomy is significantly decreased, social workers from your CSSS can help you apply for a residential placement.

The day centre organizes activities to enable seniors to live at home, avoid social isolation, maintain their physical capacities and social skills, and provide respite to their caregivers.

If you feel that you need one of these services for yourself or a loved one, contact your CSSS. A professional will evaluate your situation to find the best ways to meet your needs.

With a referral from a CSSS, housekeeping or housecleaning services are available to people 65 and over at a variable rate based on family income through the Québec’s Financial Assistance Program for Domestic Help Services.

People under 65 who require domestic help following surgery or as a result of an illness or any other incapacity may also benefit from the Financial Assistance Program for Domestic Help Services upon a referral from the CSSS. This programme makes it possible for people to obtain affordable domestic help, and, at the same time, to support a local company.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FAPDHS?

Those living in a retirement home are eligible for FAPDHS, as are those who are renting a room in a retirement home and have a reference from a CSSS.

The following people may apply for domestic help without a reference from a CSSS if the room they occupy is located in:

• a Low Income Dwelling, a housing cooperative or a not-for-profit organization registered with the répertoire des coopératives et des organismes sans but lucratif (Website in french only);
• a retirement home certified by the Ministry of Health and Social Services;
• subsidised social housing

For more information on how to apply to the FAPDHS, please consult the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) website.

Those whose lease or housing contract states that the cost of domestic help services is included in the rental price are not eligible for financial exemptions (subject to exceptions as approved by a CSSS, such as the case of a person whose housekeeping services are included in the rental price, who is also in need of a meal preparation service). 

Domestic help services can include maintenance of common areas if such maintenance is required by the subsidised social housing dwelling and the resident is unable to perform such tasks.  The resident must obtain a referral from a CSSS.    

Meal preparation services for multiple residents can be authorized if all reside in the same dwelling and each has a referral from a CSSS.

Clients who are not satisfied with the performance of a domestic help services provider may contact the provider directly or, in the case of those who have been referred by a CSSS, the Local Service Quality and Complaints Commissioner.

List of domestic help services 

Montreal has nine domestic help services recognized by the Ministry of Health and Human Services in its territory:

• Coup de balai
• La grande vadrouille
  514 341-0443
  5950, chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, bureau 330
• Les associés de l'entretien ménager / Logi+net
  514 363-8686
  1005, rue d'Upton
• La maisonNette Sud-Ouest
• Les services remue-ménage
  514 383-1222
  1687, rue Fleury Est
• Novaide
• Plumeau, chiffon et compagnie
• Répit-Ressource de l'Est de Montréal
• Services West-Nette
  514 626-1296
  16115, boulevard Gouin Ouest, bureau 304

L’Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal joue un rôle important pour veiller sur la qualité des soins et services dans les établissements de sa région, notamment pour les 104 centres d’hébergement pour personnes âgées en perte d'autonomie du territoire (CHSLD).

L'Agence de Montréal a notamment la responsabilité d'effectuer le suivi des recommandations émises par le ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) lors de ses visites d'appréciation de la qualité en CHSLD, visites auxquelles l'Agence participe également. En plus, elle doit s'assurer que les établissements appliquent les recommandations émises.

Pour connaître l'évaluation des CHSLD visités ainsi que suivre l'évolution de l'application des recommandations, consulter la section du site corporatif de l'Agence qui y est consacrée.