What is Assisted Living?
Who is Assisted Living designed for?
What is the staff ratio and why is it important to me?
When will I know that it is time to move out of my own home?
What characteristics would a prospective resident exhibit?
Can we bring our own belongings?
What types of services do you provide?
Am I still entitled to receive home care paid by OHIP when I require it?
What if I become ill and require nursing care?
What does a custom-tailored lifestyle mean?
Why would I choose your home instead of a large retirement facility?
How do I know I’m doing the right thing for my parents by insisting they move?

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living in a residential setting is a relatively new concept to Canada. Nursing and retirement homes (both very institutional types of living arrangements) have been our only choices. Our “homes”are designed for individuals seeking companionship, security and assistance with the activities of daily living in a caring home environment that promotes and enhances independence as long as possible. Assisted living provides customized services depending on the individual needs at one all inclusive price.

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Who is Assisted Living designed for?

Assisted living is an approach that brings families peace of mind. For adult children who worry about a parent living alone, or for an elderly husband or wife whose spouse is experiencing a health challenge, assisted living is truly a choice to feel good about. It is ideal for those who are not ready for the intensive level of care found in a nursing home but cannot manage the daily tasks of living alone.

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What is the staff ratio and why is it important to me?

Our ‘homes’ are located in prime residential areas and have a maximum of three seniors per house. Qualified live-in staff provide consistency of care and familiarity, at a 3 to 1 ratio. The resident to staff ratio can mean a lot when deciding which size facility you should be looking at. For instance, if a resident has a need for on going daily nursing care, a large facility may have such a person full time on their staff, whereas the actual hands on care givers at a small facility, having fewer people to care for, will get to know their resident on a more personal level. The care giver in a small facility may be able to develop a sense of knowing when something is bothering a resident just by looking at them, much like family members do with each other.

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When will I know that it is time to move out of my own home?

Many factors may play a role in your decision. Some may be:

  • difficulty performing daily tasks and no one to help
  • help needed preparing meals
  • assistance with housekeeping chores and/or laundry
  • help needed dressing and bathing
  • occasionally require health care assistance and/or monitoring
  • need transportation to doctors, shopping and personal business
  • frequently confused or experiencing memory loss problems

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What characteristics would a prospective resident exhibit?

  • usually seniors, over sixty-five
  • may require personal care services, a supportive environment and assistance with activities of daily living and/or limited nursing care
  • likely to have a stable income
  • may be experiencing health problems that are not debilitating, ambulatory but may require limited assistance
  • may face loneliness due to death of spouse/friends
  • may not be able to care for current home - cleaning, maintenance and food preparation are too difficult
  • aided by family members and/or advocates in making decision to move to assisted living.

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Can we bring our own belongings?

Our suites are not furnished. Prospective residents tend to be very reluctant to give up those familiar things that they have accumulated over the many years as well as their home with the memories of the good days of children and family. We encourage our residents to furnish their own suites and decorate them to suit their personal tastes, to enable them to bring cherished memories with them.

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What types of services do you provide?

  • basic housing
  • meals
  • housekeeping
  • laundry
  • 24-hour emergency monitoring
  • socialization
  • local transportation

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Am I still entitled to receive home care paid by OHIP when I require it?
Daily health care assistance on an as-needed basis is provided by local Homecare services to qualified individuals. If health care is being provided in your current situation without charge, that would continue without interruption if you moved into our home.

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What if I become ill and require nursing care?
If nursing care is necessary, local homecare nursing services can be purchased on an hourly basis.

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What does a custom-tailored lifestyle mean?

Optional services are available to enhance life. These could include:

  • one, two or three meals per day
  • tray service to suite
  • laundry
  • local transportation
  • housekeeping
  • temporary mobility assistance

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Why would I choose your home instead of a large retirement home?

  • wish to spend the rest of your life enjoying as much independence and freedom as you can.
  • want to remain independent, in spite of the increasing need for supportive services
  • you understand, but might not admit that someone should be close by, not to supervise, but to be there in case of an in-home accident, or a health-related injury or to provide assistance with the activities of daily living
  • you wish to reside in a home.
  • you have a very strong aversion to nursing/retirement homes.
  • you do not want to be a burden to family or friends.
  • you have a strong sense of independence
  • participation in self-directed interests is important.
  • you seek interpersonal relationships.
  • you require transportation.
  • personal possessions/furniture important to maintain identity.

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How do I know I’m doing the right thing for my parents by insisting they move?

A seniors’ personal home represents their independence and freedom. Seniors’ belief systems, based in personal experience, indicate to them that to move from their homes means giving up what little independence or freedom they may have left. The very thought of moving from their homes sends a strong message that they have lost the battle of life and are nearing its end. This conflict can create decision paralysis causing the senior to choose to do nothing rather than take the risk of moving to an institution, even though such a move could allow for increased independence, freedom, social interaction, happiness and a more fulfilling life.

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