Retirement Homes

Introduction to Retirement Homes

Retirement homes 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 homes 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 homes are not subsidized and depend on the amount of services and quality of accommodation in each retirement home.

More About Retirement Homes

Retirement Homes 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 homes 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 homes are not regulated by the Provincial government, although retirement homes 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 home bylaws and licensing requirements of their own. In Ontario, for example, the Ontario Retirement Communities Association represents approximately 250 retirement homes whereby membership is contingent upon passing and maintaining strict retirement home standards.

Retirement homes 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 homes also vary widely. Since most retirement homes 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 home. Tenure in retirement homes is typically rental and retirement home rates are subject to rent control.

Most retirement homes provide accommodation, meals, social/recreational programs, 24 hour supervision, laundry and housekeeping services. Other care and supportive services in retirement homes 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 homes may also qualify for services under the Ministry of Health's Home Care Program and some retirement homes allow residents to purchase additional care services through outside agencies.

Tips on Choosing a Retirement Home

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

Once you've identified the top retirement homes using The Care Guide and TheCareGuide.com, call ahead to schedule a tour of each retirement home. Try to observe "a day in the life" at each retirement home - perhaps attend some activities or stay for a meal at each retirement home. Many retirement homes 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 home.

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

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

Since retirement homes 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 home 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 home should include the retirement home's location - proximity to community amenities such as hospitals and churches, and the availability of transportation for shopping, outings and medical appointments. The retirement home's quality of food, safety and security issues, the cleanliness of the retirement home, the breadth of social and recreational activities offered at the retirement home and the retirement home'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 home.