Daughter Finds Peace of Mind with 24-Hour Dementia Care for Her Mom
by Joy Birch, President, Highview Residences
Leslie’s mom was clear about one thing:
She would only leave her apartment “feet first.”
She lived independently in London, Ontario well into her nineties. But over time, things began to change.
She had difficulty bathing and dressing.
She would start cooking, then lose interest part way through.
She continued grocery shopping—but would wake in the night and throw food away, believing it was poisoned.
Eventually, her family learned she was living with Lewy body dementia—a form of dementia that can cause hallucinations and changes in awareness.
Some nights, she would call her children in distress.
“We were really concerned,” Leslie recalls. “One night she said she had called a cab. It was minus 16 outside. We knew she might go out in her housecoat and not be able to get back in. We were terrified.”
When It’s No Longer Safe to Be Alone
It became clear that Leslie’s mom could not remain on her own.
She needed someone with her—at all times.
The family tried to make it work at home. They hired private caregivers and coordinated support themselves.
“It was so much work,” Leslie says. “I was doing background checks, scheduling… and then people wouldn’t show up, or they would quit after a couple of weeks.”
There was also the financial reality.
Paying for one-to-one care at home was not sustainable.
“All five of us agreed—this couldn’t continue.”
The Challenge of Making a Change
Even with these concerns, moving wasn’t easy.
Leslie’s mom did not believe there was a problem.
“It’s hard when someone’s version of reality is different from what you’re seeing,” Leslie says.
Like many families, they found themselves balancing safety, independence, and the emotional weight of making a decision on her behalf.
Discovering a Different Kind of Home
When Leslie began looking for options, she wasn’t aware that there were homes specifically designed for people living with dementia.
It was through another recommendation that she was introduced to Highview.
From the first visit, something felt different.
“It truly feels like a home,” she says. “Not a high-rise. Not institutional. Everything is on one level. It just made sense.”
Making the Move Possible
One of the biggest challenges was helping her mom accept the move.
Early on, Leslie asked:
“If you ever had to move somewhere, what would matter most to you?”
Her mom’s answer was simple:
“I’d want my cat. And my china cabinet.”
Both were able to come with her.
“She never thought that would be possible,” Leslie says.
The move itself was carefully planned. While her mom was out with family, her new space was set up with familiar belongings—and her cat was brought in.
“When she walked in, everything felt familiar. That matters so much.”
Around-the-Clock Care—and Peace of Mind
Today, Leslie’s mom has 24-hour support in a setting that feels calm and familiar.
“She’s safe,” Leslie says. “That’s the biggest thing.”
She can move freely within a secure setting, spend time in the garden, play piano, or sit in the sunroom.
Meals are flexible. Snacks are always available. And the people around her know her well.
“They know her as a person—not just someone living there. They know what she likes. They know how to connect with her.”
The Difference Consistent Care Can Make
Before moving, Leslie noticed that when her mom was alone, her confusion and distress would increase.
“She would go inside herself. The delusions and paranoia would get worse.”
Now, with consistent support and engagement, those moments are no longer the same concern.
“Better Care Than I Could Ever Provide”
Leslie is honest about what this decision meant for her.
“If I could have done it myself, I would have,” she says. “But I couldn’t. I work full-time. I didn’t have the stamina to provide that level of care.”
What brought her peace was knowing her mom was in the right place.
“She gets better care than I could ever provide.”
She also speaks to the importance of communication.
“When you can’t be there all the time, communication matters. The team is responsive. They keep us informed. That makes such a difference.”
A Thought for Families
At Highview, we walk alongside families every day as they navigate this decision.
Our Homes in London, Kitchener, and Lucan are thoughtfully arranged to feel familiar, calm, and truly like home—while offering the consistency of care that becomes needed over time.
If you are beginning to ask these questions, you are not alone.
We’re Here to Help
At Highview, we work with families every day who are navigating this transition.
Our Homes in London, Kitchener, and Lucan are thoughtfully arranged to provide consistent, around-the-clock care in a setting that feels familiar, calm, and truly like home.
If you are beginning to ask these questions, you are not alone.
Highview offers thoughtfully designed homes where people living with dementia are cared for in ways that feel familiar, calm, and truly like home.
The goal is to create a place where people are supported to live with independence, connection, and purpose in daily life.
For dementia care in London, Kitchener, and Lucan, we are here to help.