You can ask for a reassessment at any time

The most important thing to know is this: you do not need to wait for the CLSC to schedule a review. If a person's needs have changed, anyone — the person receiving care, a family member, or the physician — can request a reassessment.

Many families wait too long, assuming the CLSC will notice and act on their own. In practice, CLSC workers are managing many files simultaneously. It is the family's responsibility to flag when something has changed.

Signs that a reassessment is warranted

A fall or multiple falls

Falls are one of the most significant indicators that current care is insufficient. A single fall may be concerning; multiple falls are a serious safety signal. If a person has fallen recently, request a reassessment.

A new diagnosis or hospitalization

A new health condition — stroke, Parkinson's disease, cancer, fracture, dementia — often changes what a person can do independently. A hospitalization frequently marks a before/after point in functional capacity. After a hospitalization, care needs commonly increase.

New difficulty with daily tasks

If the person is now struggling with tasks they managed six months ago — bathing, dressing, preparing meals, taking medications — this is evidence of functional decline. Be specific: "She can no longer put on her socks without sitting down and taking 15 minutes" is more useful than "she's been getting worse."

Increased caregiver burden

If the primary family caregiver is now providing significantly more care than before — more hours per week, more complex tasks, more disruption to their own life — this is a legitimate basis for reassessment. The CLSC considers caregiver capacity as part of the care equation.

Caregiver unavailability

If the main caregiver is ill, returning to work, moving, or otherwise becoming unavailable, the person's care needs may suddenly exceed what the current plan covers.

Noticeable cognitive or memory changes

Cognitive decline often progresses gradually, but there are milestone moments — getting lost in familiar environments, forgetting to eat, leaving the stove on — that signal a need for more structured support.

Unsafe behaviour or near-misses

If you are observing close calls — a nearly-missed medication dose, someone nearly falling, or someone not answering the door — these are warning signs even before an injury occurs.

How to request a reassessment

Contact your care coordinator directly. Explain that you have observed changes and would like to schedule a reassessment. You do not need to justify the request extensively on the phone — that is what the assessment is for.

If you do not get a timely response, call the CLSC directly and ask to speak with the intake team.

What to do before the reassessment

Preparation matters. Gather specific examples, note dates, and bring documentation. The more concrete your account of what has changed, the more useful it is to the assessor.

See the Preparing for a Reassessment article for a complete guide.