Types of Care

Retirement communities are about choice.  They are designed for seniors who want to live a somewhat independent lifestyle but who may need minimal to moderate support with their daily living activities. At a retirement home, you will find a safe, comfortable environment that is your home, not a facility. You can choose how much to do for yourself, how much to have done for you, how to spend your time and with whom to spend it.

As defined by the Retirement Homes Act (RHA), a retirement home is a building that is occupied primarily by persons who are 65 or older, are occupied by at least six people not related to the operator and make available at least two of the thirteen care services set out in the Act.  These include providing meals, assistance with bathing, personal hygiene, dressing or ambulation, providing a dementia care program, administering medicine, providing incontinence care or making available the services of a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Independent Supported Living:

If you still enjoy independence but need some extra help, Independent Supported Living may be a good option for you. Independent Supported Living provides the home environment of Independent Living with the option to add extra care services such as assistance with dressing, bathing, grooming and medication. The benefit of Independent Supported Living is that you can access additional supportive services, medical services and personal support while still being able to live as you wish and enjoy life in the retirement community.

Assisted Living:

Assisted Living provides a home environment with care services included in the service fee. These services may include assistance with dressing, bathing, grooming and medication. To meet your changing care needs, additional services can be added at any time. Assisted Living provides the support you need within a warm community environment.

Specialized Dementia Care or Memory Care:

Memory Care communities are able to create supportive, safe and secure environments for people with mild dementia all the while providing opportunities for residents to live life to the fullest through social, recreation and fitness activities. Memory Care residences are equipped with the expertise to support seniors with varying forms and levels of dementia.

Short Term Stays:

Some retirement homes offer short-term stays for seniors who want to ‘test drive’ what it is like to live in a retirement home. Some homes offer short stays for those recovering from a hospital procedure and who need that extra support before they return to their own home. Regardless of the circumstances, short stays provide seniors the opportunity to really understand the benefits of retirement home living, with access to nutritious and delicious meals, social and recreational programming, and access to specialized support services.

Anyone can apply to live in retirement home (you do not have to go through LHIN or any other government agency) but the home may assess your medical needs to ensure that they can provide the support level required.