Retirement Communities

Introduction to Retirement Communities

Retirement communities provide accommodation, varying levels of care and supportive services in a residential setting for those who can no longer manage daily living with independence. Retirement communities typically provide meals, social/recreational programs, 24 hour supervision, laundry and housekeeping services, supervision or administration of medications and often a degree of personal care and assistance with the activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing. Resident rates in retirement residences are not subsidized and depend on the amount of services and quality of accommodation in each retirement residence.

More About Retirement Communities

Retirement Communities meet the needs of those individuals who need greater security or who are no longer able to manage all the activities of daily living by themselves. Retirement communities aim to allow residents to continue to live with dignity and as independently as possible, while providing the security, care and supportive services necessary.

Retirement communities are not regulated by the Provincial government, although retirement residences are accountable to the Ministry of Housing under the Residents' Rights Act, 1994. In the absence of Province wide standards, some municipalities have introduced retirement residence bylaws and licensing requirements of their own. In Ontario, for example, the Ontario Retirement Communities Association represents approximately 250 retirement residences whereby membership is contingent upon passing and maintaining strict retirement community standards.

Retirement communities vary widely in terms of care and supportive services provided (limited services to assistance with daily living and personal nursing), amenities offered (dining/living room to extensive common areas), types of accommodation (shared rooms to spacious apartments) and physical structure (small converted house to high-rise buildings). Accordingly, resident rates in retirement residences also vary widely. Since most retirement residences are privately owned and operated, and do not receive any government funding, the resident has to pay the full cost of living in a retirement community. Tenure in a retirement community is typically rental and retirement community rates are subject to rent control.

Most retirement residences provide accommodation, meals, social/recreational programs, 24 hour supervision, laundry and housekeeping services. Other care and supportive services in retirement residences such as assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs), assistance with medications and personal nursing care may also be included in the posted rates or available at an additional cost. Residents of retirement communities may also qualify for services under the Ministry of Health's Home Care Program and some retirement communities allow residents to purchase additional care services through outside agencies.

Tips on Choosing a Retirement Community

Choosing an appropriate retirement community for a loved one takes time & research, but you're already off to a great start in finding the right retirement community.

Once you've identified the top retirement communities using The Care Guide and TheCareGuide.com, call ahead to schedule a tour of each retirement community. Try to observe "a day in the life" at each retirement community - perhaps attend some activities or stay for a meal at each retirement community. Many retirement communities offer short-term trial stays ranging from a couple of nights to a few weeks, which is an excellent way to truly "test the waters" at each retirement community.

Here are some other ideas to help you choose the retirement community that can best meet your needs and preferences:

• while touring a retirement community, ask if you can wander around on your own to get a better feel for the retirement community.
• ask residents of the retirement community about their experience at the retirement community; their likes and dislikes - do residents appear to be happy and enjoying themselves at the retirement community?
• after a scheduled visit to a retirement community, drop-in another day at a different time of day to see if there are any differences in the retirement community.
• ask for resident family references who you can contact for their opinions about the retirement community.

Since retirement communities vary in terms of the programs, services and levels of care provided, it is important to ask for a "Care Home Information Package" from each retirement community which should clearly set out what's included in the posted monthly or daily rental rates, and what services are available at an additional cost.

Other things to consider in selecting an appropriate retirement community should include the retirement community's location - proximity to community amenities such as hospitals and churches, and the availability of transportation for shopping, outings and medical appointments. The retirement community's quality of food, safety and security issues, the cleanliness of the retirement community, the breadth of social and recreational activities offered at the retirement community and the retirement community's ability to meet the needs of your loved one now and as needs change, are other important factors.

Feel free to contact us at 1-800-311-CARE or info@thecareguide.com should you have any questions or require further assistance in finding an appropriate retirement community.