This past weekend brought something unexpected. While out on a Sunday drive with my mom and favourite fur ball, she asked me if we could drive by one of the city’s newest long-term care facilities: Glendale Crossing. I was a bit surprised. I really hadn’t expected to get that request, at least not yesterday.  Mom told me about a couple who had recently moved in and she wanted to see what it looked like.

As we drove by the new facility, she started telling me about different friends who had made the move to retirement facilities and how much they were enjoying their new surroundings, including the added support and the companionship of others. We didn’t spend a lot of time talking about what mom's next move might be, but she definitely opened the door to the discussion. I’m grateful that she's thinking ahead.

If you're caring for an elderly person still living on their own, and you think it may be time to start thinking about other options, these information sheets from the South West Community Care Access Centre may be of some help.