Retirement Residences getting a new lease on life
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We’ve all heard about Canada’s aging population and how it will impact on the future of health care and other industries. The retirement industry is already undergoing significant growth. As the number and type of retirement homes and adult lifestyle communities increases, the choices have never been more varied. There are retirement residences to suit almost everyone, no matter what their financial or physical limitations may be.
By Lorne Chase
Outside of nursing homes, which are government licensed and charge set fees, there are hundreds of for-profit and not-for-profit retirement facilities in Ontario. These vary significantly in what they offer. And Markham, with its rapidly growing population, is experiencing a boom in the building of retirement residences and communities.
“Long-term facilities are going up all around us,” says Bettyann Gardner, Director of Community Relations with Sunrise Senior Living in Unionville. “Years ago you had no option if you needed care. There were only nursing homes. Now you can choose from many different types of facilities in the Markham area.”
As the population of Markham increases, so will the number of seniors. At last count, the town was home to 217,800 people, but that figure is expected to jump to 281,000 by 2011. So it’s a safe bet construction of new retirement residences will continue.
No one has discovered the fountain of youth yet. To date efforts to reverse the relentless march of time have given us such superficial solutions as liposuction and Botox injections, along with a vast array of hair dye products. Not a magic elixir among them. So at some point in time, we’re all going to have to consider the options available to us for our “golden years.” And if you’ve never thought about choosing a retirement residence or community, either for yourself or elderly parents, it’s a real eye-opener to discover just how many different categories there are.
To further confuse people, many facilities provide a combination of different services. So you might be looking at one residence that caters to two or more categories. And depending on where you get your information from, there are different terms used to describe the same category. The following breakdown of categories includes the most popular terms used to describe them.
Active Adult Communities
Popular with healthy seniors who are still capable of a wide range of physical activities and outings, these are retirement communities where people own or lease their homes.
Independent Living Communities
Designed for seniors without serious medical problems, they feature private apartments, and provide the security and convenience of community living.
Assisted Living Communities
These are facilities for people incapable of living on their own, who require some assistance with daily activities such as bathing and getting dressed.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Created for seniors who need a high level of medical assistance, these facilities provide ongoing care as an individual’s health needs change.
Alzheimer’s Care Communities
Residences that are designed to meet the unique challenges of caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
Rehabilitation Care
These residences provide co-ordinated programs for seniors who are undergoing physical rehabilitation.
The only regulatory body for retirement residences is the not-for-profit Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA). Since 1977, the organization has set professional standards that prospective members must meet before they receive accreditation. But with membership voluntary, ORCA represents only 60% of the province’s retirement residences.
In the Markham area, there are a number of retirement residences that offer varying services, accommodation and amenities. Choosing the right retirement residence for you or a family member is a significant decision. Not only do you have financial considerations to think about, it can also be an emotional experience. After all, you’re deciding what to do for the rest of your life or someone elses.
*While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and completeness, the publisher and Markham Stouffville Hospital assume no liability for loss or damage due to errors or omissions in this Retirement Residences article.
| Residence | Accommodation | Activities |
| Sunrise Senior Living of Unionville | Continuing Care | “Aging in Place” environment, with personal one-on-one care provided to residents as they age. An Individual Service Plan is available for each resident, which includes daily meals. Over 40% of the building is a common living area, and an entire floor is devoted to specialized care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. |
| Amica at Swan Lake, Markham | Independent Living | Private studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom suites. A full array of planned social and recreational activities. Professional staff members provide fitness training on specialized equipment. Underground parking and daily meals. One floor devoted to assisted living, with nursing staff on-call 24 hours a day. |
| Unionville Home Society | Active Adult Community | Wyndham Gardens, a “lease for life” complex that has 122 apartments ranging in size from 700 to 1550 square feet. Heritage Village, a quiet cul-de-sac of 1-bedroom bungalows in clusters of four with a common foyer and laundry room. |
| Rouge Valley Retirement Residence, Markham | Independent Living | Activity/lifestyle program tailored to meet the needs of individual residents. Medication administration and health care monitoring. Access to chapel/theatre, beauty salon and greenhouse. Daily meals and 24-hour assistance from trained staff members. |
| Glynnwood Lifestyle Retirement Community, Thornhill | Independent Living/Assisted Living | An environment that combines 44 Independent Living apartments and 39 Assisted Living suites, and features programs to accommodate both types of residents. With library, exercise room, games room, in-house banking, computer centre and daily meals. Activities include scheduled outings, live entertainment and discussion group. |
| The Woodhaven Long-Term Care Community, Markham | Continuing Care | The newest long-term care facility in Markham features a variety of different “neighbourhoods,” each with a variety of personal suites, a dining room, spa areas, a living room and a family room. With a hair salon, art centre and private dining room that can be used for entertaining guests. Recreational programs, 24-hour registered nursing staff and physiotherapy. |
| Markhaven Home For Seniors, Markham | Continuing Care | Charitable, non-profit long-term care facility for seniors. With 96 beds, 21 in the home’s Alzheimer’s wing. There is a registered nurse on duty 24 hours a day, therapeutic activities, and individualized care plans. Beauty salon, podiatry, physiotherapy and dental care. |
2600 John Street, Unit 207, Markham, ON L3R 3W3 T: 905.475.5222 F: 905.475.6369
