Start by being honest about how much daily help your parent needs today, and how that's likely to shift over the next year or two. Retirement homes in Westmount range from lighter independent-living style suites with meals and housekeeping to residences with nurses on-site and personal-care support. In our experience, families do best when they pick a residence that can add care as needs grow, so a move up the street doesn't turn into a move across the city later.
In Quebec, private seniors' residences (résidences privées pour aînés, RPA) are certified by the provincial health ministry, and a certified residence is the baseline you should insist on. Some subsidized places exist through the local CIUSSS, and public long-term care (CHSLD) and home support are arranged through the CIUSSS as well. Ask each residence directly whether it holds current certification and what care levels its staff are licensed to provide.
Westmount options tend to concentrate near Sherbrooke Street and the western edges close to Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, which keeps residents near pharmacies, groceries, and nearby bus routes. Proximity matters more than most families expect. A parent near the Montreal General, or a short drive from it, makes appointments and any hospital stay far less stressful for everyone. If you visit often, weigh your own commute too.
Our default advice for Westmount: if your parent is largely independent but lonely or struggling with meals and upkeep, a retirement home usually beats piecing together home care, because the social side alone changes the day. The trade-off is real, though. A move means leaving a home, and some parents cling to independence longer than is safe. If needs are still light and your parent is deeply rooted at home, start with Home Care and revisit. For memory changes, look at Memory Care specifically rather than a general retirement home. Availability in this pocket can be tight, so tour early and get on lists before you feel pressed.