Navigation Sessions

Help navigating through the confusing maze of services 

Whether you are looking for assistance with health care, social services, pension, or income supports, accessing the right services for yourself or a loved one can be challenging. 

From looking at options to allow you to stay in your own home as a senior, long term care for yourself or an ageing parent/partner, to rehab for substance users, navigating the complicated bureaucracy surrounding these systems is difficult at best.

Alicia Niewiatowska provides advice and a plan

Alicia has worked inside these systems and understands how frustrating, confusing, and overwhelming they can appear. She’s here to support you throughout this process, to help you navigate services and agencies, to translate medical jargon and provide a calming voice of reason in the chaos of uncharted territory. 

Alicia can provide direction, actionable steps and honest feedback from behind the scenes. Over a 90 minute session, we will review your situation and formulate an action plan together! Alicia’s goal is to get you some much needed answers. 

These are a few of the comments that have led to Alicia creating this service. 

“I don’t need a specific therapy. I just need someone to help me make a plan”. 

“I just want someone to help me figure out my way through this situation”. 

“Despite all the research, I still have no idea what the next step is for me”.

Here are a few examples of situations a navigation session can help with:

Do you need advice supporting a loved one after a life changing diagnosis? 

  • How do you talk to someone about their terminal illness?

  • Who can you reach out to in the community?

  • As a caregiver, how do you fit everything into your schedule?

Are you the adult child of ageing parents? Is there a plan for their golden years or retirement?

  • What's the cost of Long-Term Care (LTC)?

  • When and how do you apply to long-term care?

  • How long is the waitlist?

  • What's the difference between LTC and retirement homes?

  • What’s the difference between a will and a Power Of Attorney?

Are you trying to find the best rehab/treatment facility for the substance user in your life?

  • Are private rehabs better than public ones?

  • How do you get into a government-funded facility?

  • How do you pick the right treatment centre?

  • Can you make someone go to rehab?

“You only need to know the direction, not the destination. The direction is enough to make the next choice.”
— James Clear

More info about navigation sessions

Can you give an example of what a plan would look like?

In a navigation session about ailing parents, an example of topics covered may include:

  • Finances

    • Power of Attorney for Property

    • Cost of Living vs Cost of Long-Term Care (LTC)

    • Government subsidies for LTC

    • The required “Involuntary Separation” of married couples, when one is admitted into LTC

  • Legal

    • Power of Attorney of Personal Care

    • Mental Capacity 

      • I can complete a screening for cognitive impairment/decline

    • Ability to provide consent (to treatment, LTC admission, etc)

  • Healthcare

    • Difference between LTC and a retirement home

    • Ageing in place (i.e. living independently as long as possible)

    • What to expect while living in LTC

  • Strategies to make all of the above less burdensome on family

What can I expect during my first appointment?

Our first appointment will focus on information gathering, via an extensive intake. We will discuss your concerns, your goals, and what resources you have and need. Then, Alicia will provide feedback from her firsthand, frontline experience in healthcare and social services, to provide you with accurate and realistic information. Then, we will discuss and compile an action plan together. 

Will I need more than one appointment? 

Sometimes, the plan points out gaps in information. Once the information has been gathered, some families choose to return for additional sessions to build a more in-depth plan. Alicia will do her best to provide you with as much useful information, and practical guidance, as she can. 

Is this covered under insurance?

Some insurance plans offer coverage for Social Work. If you are wondering if your plan includes these benefits,  please be sure to contact your insurance company, or check your insurance guide book.

I’m still unsure if a Navigation Session will work for me, can we talk first?

Absolutely!  Please book a free 20 minute consultation session to learn more and see if this is the right fit for you.