ONE of the biggest things to consider, plan for and appreciate as we retire is the need for a sense of purpose. It may be easy to think of or hope for no ‘to-do’ list but the realities of actually having nothing to do can be real.  Therefore, even the smallest of hobbies and pursuing new or established interests can be integral to keeping both active, cognitively engaged and providing this ‘sense of purpose’. Prioritizing mental and physical health is something we as a generation are learning more about and understanding its importance on longevity and feeling good about ourselves. Hobb ..read more

Understanding Care Levels in a Retirement Community By Caroline Inman   PEOPLE move to retirement residences for many different reasons, and whether you’re considering supported living now or looking ahead, knowing what homes can provide for you today, as well as in the future is very important. Although there are an abundance of options to choose from, not all residences are the same, meaning not all are set up to include the same care and services. For the most part, a licensed* retirement home will include what we call ‘umbrella supports’ in your base monthly price. This is usually thr ..read more

 I BELIEVE one of the biggest things to appreciate and understand about moving into a retirement residence is that the whole space, the whole building is your home. So many seniors we help look only at the suite they’re taking and think that that is where they will be spending all their time. Not true!  Your room is yours and it is there for you whenever you need, but just like in your own home, it’s primary purpose is for sleeping, personal hygiene and maybe a little rest or to watch your favorite show. It’s certainly not for 24/7 living, and although there are some minor exception ..read more

  HOLIDAY times are often when families from near and far get together for celebration. What these gatherings look like may change as family members age and family dynamics change. For many families winter holidays may be the one time of the year when they visit with their aging parents for a longer period of time. It’s important as loved ones age to use this time to gain a perspective into what their day to day life might look like.  Often when visiting aging loved ones we bring them on outings, or we’ll visit for short periods and only spend time in one room. It’s not until you sp ..read more

A LEASE in a retirement home is the same as any lease you take on; it’s a legal document which binds you to certain things, and ensures you’re in receipt of others. So it is not something that should be signed without full review and without the opportunity to ask questions to make sure you’re fully aware of its contents and your responsibilities. Your agreement is a requirement for both the Residential Tenancies Act (2006) and the Retirement Homes Act (2010) as they both provide rights for seniors living in licensed retirement residences. Here are some other important things to understand ..read more

  By John Francis THE transition from living independently, to being cared for in a retirement community is certainly not an easy one for your elderly parents and is often highly charged with emotions. Their beloved family and caregivers are often reluctant to broach this topic or have an open conversation with them about leaving their current home, despite the fact that mobility challenges, illnesses, vulnerability to criminals, and cognitive decline make living alone independently for them an unsafe option. Under these circumstances, you, the family members, and caregivers can make a de ..read more

As a care facility, licensed retirement homes very often have a general practitioner or a nurse practitioner, as an ‘in house medical service’. You can’t unfortunately utilize the in-house physician as well as your own GP, but you may consider switching to the GP at your new residence. If you don’t have a family doctor already, then being welcomed by the in-house team could be very beneficial, as well as for the following reasons; 1. Ease of communication: Being a patient of the in-house practitioner often means a ‘one stop shop’ for your care support once you’ve moved in. The director of care ..read more

Although it’s highly likely you’re downsizing when moving into a retirement residence, it doesn’t mean you can’t bring things with you or still personalise your space. Here we talk of what that space could look like and include: Size of Space: while suite sizes in retirement homes can be more than 1000 sqft, they’re few and far between. More than likely, you’re looking at a studio (a contained living and sleeping space like a hotel room) being an average of 330 sqft. Some homes have smaller than that at under 200 sqft, and some studios are 600sqft plus. One bedrooms can be as small as 480 sqf ..read more

End of life care doesn’t have to take place in a hospital or hospice. Just like planning to pass away at home, many retirement homes can also support you or your loved one in your final days. Death and thinking of death is not something any of us want to do. Unfortunately, like taxes, death is the only promised thing in life! Whether you’re fit and healthy and this is a consideration for the future, or you’re looking more closely ahead because of a progressive illness or disease, we look below at how palliative care can be provided in a residence and how the staff and team there will best supp ..read more

By John Francis, Health Consultant at Thorncliffe Place Caregivers are often found to be so dedicated to the care of their patients or care recipients, especially loved ones, that they often forget to care for themselves. It is highly important to maintain your own health and well-being, for only then can you take better care of your patient. Caregiving is a very fulfilling job but can be highly stressful. To be there when needed by a loved one is a core value that any good human would voluntarily provide. However, as time goes by a shift in emotions and roles is nearly certain as caregiver st ..read more