FAQs

I provide nurse-led services that help seniors and their families understand their options, plan for the future, and get the right care. I offer nursing assessments, care planning, in-home safety assessments, help finding your way through the health system, and advocacy. I focus on what matters most to each person, not just their tasks and needs.

Most of the people I work with are adult children arranging care for an aging parent or family member. Seniors are always welcome to contact me themselves. I support people living at home and people living in continuing care.

You’ll work directly with me, Melissa (Mel) Ristau. I’m a Registered Nurse with more than 20 years of experience in senior care and a certified gerontological nurse through the Canadian Nurses Association. I have a Master of Nursing degree in leadership from the University of Alberta, with a focus on aging, and I’ve worked as a Director of Care, as Care Manager of a dementia unit, and as a Nurse Educator.

Public home care is valuable, but its assessments focus mainly on tasks and on what a person can no longer do. My assessments are more in-depth and centred on each person’s goals, preferences, and quality of life. I’m also independent: I don’t sell hands-on care, so my recommendations are based only on what is best for you and your family. I can work alongside your AHS case manager and help you make the most of public services.

No. I focus on assessment, planning, guidance, and advocacy. If your family needs hands-on care, I can help you understand your options and find the right services.

• Healthy Aging Roadmap with Comprehensive Geriatric Nursing Assessment: a thorough nursing assessment and a personalized plan for the months and years ahead.
• Quality of Life Caring Guide: a guide built around the person’s preferences, routines, and what brings them joy, to complement existing care plans.
• In-Home Safety Assessment: a room-by-room look at the home with practical recommendations to reduce falls and other risks.
• Ongoing navigation and advocacy: support with appointments, care conferences, and decisions as needs change.
• Capacity assessments for guardianship and trusteeship: completed by a designated capacity assessor.

Most services are offered at a flat fee, so you know the cost up front:

• In-Home Safety Assessment: $550
• Quality of Life Caring Guide: $795
• Healthy Aging Roadmap: $1,050

Custom consulting, ongoing navigation and advocacy are billed at $150 per hour. Capacity assessment fees follow Alberta’s regulated maximums: $700 for a combined guardianship and trusteeship assessment, or $500 for a guardianship or trusteeship assessment on its own. Introductory pricing is available for my first 10 bookings. Please contact me or book a free consultation to learn more.

Yes. I offer a free 30-minute initial consultation to learn about your situation, answer your questions, and talk about whether my services are a good fit. You can book it online and fill out a short intake form beforehand.

My services are private pay and are not covered by Alberta Health Care. Some extended health benefit plans cover services from a Registered Nurse, so please check with your insurance provider. I’m happy to provide receipts.

I serve Edmonton and surrounding communities, including St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Leduc, and Beaumont. I visit clients in their homes or in their continuing care setting.

I work by appointment only. Evening and weekend appointments are available, because I know many families are balancing work and caregiving. I respond to new inquiries within 1 to 2 business days.

Yes. All personal and health information is kept confidential and stored securely. It is only shared with your written consent, or as required by law.