INDEPENDENT RETIREMENT LIVING
Are intended for healthy, lively seniors who do not need support with activities of day-to-day living. Independent living for seniors can range from luxury to age-restricted apartments or condominium complexes for older adults. These communities are private pay and offer voluntary services such as housekeeping, meals and laundry.
Independent Retirement Living Features
Typical independent living features include:
· Apartment-style one to two-bedroom units in a community setting
· Convenient location to retail shops and recreational activities
· Community features like gardens, pools, golf courses, hair salons and fitness centers
· Options for housekeeping, meals, laundry and transportation
Cost of Independent Retirement Living
Depending on the location, community and amenity options, costs can range from $1,400 to $3,500 monthly.
ASSISTED LIVING
Provide supportive housing and care to seniors who need some help with daily tasks, but who do not require the skilled care provided at a long-term care home. This is a viable option for adults who are mostly independent but have to need some assistance with everyday living or anticipate needing assistance in the near future. Assisted living communities vary. They can be towering apartment buildings in urban centers, complexes in the suburbs or more intimate communities catering to a relatively small number of residents, and can be found in most Canadian cities. Residents live in private one-to-two-bedroom apartments, studios or "bachelors units." Meal service is included, so kitchenettes are more typical in assisted living units than full kitchens.Assisted Living Features
Typical assisted living features and services include:
· Access to visiting or on-staff health care professionals such as occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses and physicians
· Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, eating and mobility
· Health and exercise programs
· Housekeeping and laundry
· Meal service
· Medication management
· Social and recreational activities
· Transportation to appointments and events
Cost of Assisted Living
Assisted living can be subsidized or paid through private pay. Costs will range from $1,500 to $5,000, dependent on location of the community, amenity options, and if medical or health services are needed.
Assisted living costs are dependent on a number of factors:
· Level of luxury
· Location
· Services required
· Size of apartment
· Type of residence
Assisted living communities often charge a flat rate that covers many basic services, with additional fees for special services. Other communities will charge a fee for each service on an "a la carte" basis, allowing residents to pay only for services they use. In addition to these charges, entrance fees and deposits may also be required. With so much variation in pricing structures, it's important to ask the communities you're touring about costs.
Assisted living communities often charge a flat rate that covers many basic services, with additional fees for special services. Other communities will charge a fee for each service on an "a la carte" basis, allowing residents to pay only for services they use. In addition to these charges, entrance fees and deposits may also be required. With so much variation in pricing structures, it's important to ask the communities you're touring about costs.
RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES
These are traditional private homes that have been adapted to provide assisted care services for a smaller group of residents. These homes offer a more intimate, home-like community feeling, and offer both short-term and long-term care
Residential Care Home Services
Residential care homes offer a level of care that varies widely from home to home, but in general, live-in caretakers prepare meals and provide assistance with activities of daily living. Some residential care homes employ, or are operated by, nurses, and can offer care comparable to that in a nursing home, often filling the gap between independent living and nursing homes There are also residential care homes that specialize in memory care. Typical residential care home services include:
· Comfortable private or semi-private rooms
· Daily home-cooked meals
· Housekeeping and laundry service
· Medication management
· Social programs and activities
· Transportation to appointments and events
Cost of Residential Care Homes
Costs can vary depending on the geographical location of the residential care home, as well as the types of services needed. Costs can range anywhere from $1,500 per month to $4,500 each month, and dementia care can cost even more.
Residential Care Home Services
Residential care homes offer a level of care that varies widely from home to home, but in general, live-in caretakers prepare meals and provide assistance with activities of daily living. Some residential care homes employ, or are operated by, nurses, and can offer care comparable to that in a nursing home, often filling the gap between independent living and nursing homes There are also residential care homes that specialize in memory care. Typical residential care home services include:
· Comfortable private or semi-private rooms
· Daily home-cooked meals
· Housekeeping and laundry service
· Medication management
· Social programs and activities
· Transportation to appointments and events
Cost of Residential Care Homes
Costs can vary depending on the geographical location of the residential care home, as well as the types of services needed. Costs can range anywhere from $1,500 per month to $4,500 each month, and dementia care can cost even more.
ALZHEIMER'S CARE / DEMENTIA CARE
Seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's disease require special care typically referred to as memory care. This treatment is usually provided in a secure area of an assisted living community or nursing home, most often on a dedicated floor or in a designated wing. The secure aspect of memory care communities is intended to prevent residents from wandering off and becoming lost, which is a common and dangerous symptom of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The security usually takes the form of alarmed exit doors rather than locked exit doors.
Residents usually live in apartments, private or semi-private rooms. They participate in structured activities conducted by staff members specifically trained to care for those with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Alzheimer's Care / Dementia Care Services
Dementia care offers round-the-clock care, along with activities and health management for residents. Typical dementia care services include:
· Comfortable private, or semi-private rooms
· Three daily meals
· Housekeeping and laundry service
· Medication management
· Exercise and physical therapy programs
· Social programs and activities
· 24-hour staffing and personal assistance
Cost of Dementia Care
Memory care requires a higher level of care, a higher caregiver to resident ration and all staff must have additional training in dementia care to ensure the safety of all the residents. While cost does vary widely by community, prices tend to run from $3,000 to $7,000 per month. Where your costs fall within that range will depend on the following factors:
· Geographic location of the facility
· Level of care needed
· Room size and level of privacy
Residents usually live in apartments, private or semi-private rooms. They participate in structured activities conducted by staff members specifically trained to care for those with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Alzheimer's Care / Dementia Care Services
Dementia care offers round-the-clock care, along with activities and health management for residents. Typical dementia care services include:
· Comfortable private, or semi-private rooms
· Three daily meals
· Housekeeping and laundry service
· Medication management
· Exercise and physical therapy programs
· Social programs and activities
· 24-hour staffing and personal assistance
Cost of Dementia Care
Memory care requires a higher level of care, a higher caregiver to resident ration and all staff must have additional training in dementia care to ensure the safety of all the residents. While cost does vary widely by community, prices tend to run from $3,000 to $7,000 per month. Where your costs fall within that range will depend on the following factors:
· Geographic location of the facility
· Level of care needed
· Room size and level of privacy
GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZED OPTIONS
Supportive Housing
Supportive housing is essentially the lightest form of assisted living and is often subsidized by the government. Tenants generally pay a fixed portion of their annual income to cover the rent and have access to assistance from on-site staff on an as-needed basis. While there are similarities between supportive housing and assisted living, generally speaking, supportive housing residents need light assistance a few times a week, rather than moderate daily assistance.
Long-Term Care Homes
In addition to medical care, long-term care homes provide residents with a range of services, including:
· Comfortable private, or semi-private rooms
· Three nutritious meals per day
· Housekeeping and laundry service
· Exercise and physical therapy programs
· Social programs and activities
· 24-hour staffing and personal assistance
· Medication management
· Pain management and hospice care
Long-Term Care Accommodation Rates & Co-Payments
Supportive housing is essentially the lightest form of assisted living and is often subsidized by the government. Tenants generally pay a fixed portion of their annual income to cover the rent and have access to assistance from on-site staff on an as-needed basis. While there are similarities between supportive housing and assisted living, generally speaking, supportive housing residents need light assistance a few times a week, rather than moderate daily assistance.
Long-Term Care Homes
In addition to medical care, long-term care homes provide residents with a range of services, including:
· Comfortable private, or semi-private rooms
· Three nutritious meals per day
· Housekeeping and laundry service
· Exercise and physical therapy programs
· Social programs and activities
· 24-hour staffing and personal assistance
· Medication management
· Pain management and hospice care
Long-Term Care Accommodation Rates & Co-Payments
Adult Day Programs
Adult daycare centers are a senior care option that bridges the caregiving gap and can improve the quality of life for caregivers and their loved ones. When an elderly loved one needs additional care or supervision during the day, many working families hire an in-home caregiver or use an adult daycare center. Day services are usually open from 7 am to 6 pm on weekdays.
Government Resources
· Alberta: has more than 83 adult day programs offered through Alberta Health Services where 3,000 seniors currently participate in
· British Columbia: Adult Day Services: Seniors with health issues that live independently have an opportunity to travel to communities in their locations for a variety of services
· Ontario: Community Support Services: Learn about available adult day programs and caregiver support services.
Home Care
Available on a part-time, full-time, or live-in basis, home care providers work closely with you and your loved ones - ensuring that you receive the ideal level of care for your specific and unique needs. From housekeeping and companionship to medical assistance for a disability or chronic condition - home care providers offer a variety of cost-effective and flexible solutions, so you can enjoy a maximum degree of independence in the comfort and familiarity of your own home.
Government Resources
· British Columbia Community Nursing: Learn how to schedule regular home visits from nurses who can help with rehabilitation, wound care, chronic disease management and more
· British Columbia: Home Support: This page describes available home care services, walks you through eligibility requirements, costs, and the registration process.
· Ontario: Home Care: Visit this page to learn how to have health care professionals and/or a personal care assistant make regular visits to your home.
Respite Care
Respite care typically refers to a short-term stay at a senior community, usually an assisted living or memory care community. Respite care is a great living option for an elderly or disabled person who needs some day-to-day supportive services, but still desires social stimulation, engagement and activities. This type of care can also sometimes refer to in-home caregiving services used for only a short period.
Other Names for Respite Care
· Caregiver Respite
· Caregiver Relief
· Short-Term Residential Care
Government Resources
· Alberta: Respite Care: Intended to provide a break for caregivers, this program provides nurse visits to chronically or terminally ill people living at home.
· British Columbia: Caregiver Respite/Relief: Find out about available resources for supplemental care if you become overwhelmed in caregiving to a senior
Adult daycare centers are a senior care option that bridges the caregiving gap and can improve the quality of life for caregivers and their loved ones. When an elderly loved one needs additional care or supervision during the day, many working families hire an in-home caregiver or use an adult daycare center. Day services are usually open from 7 am to 6 pm on weekdays.
Government Resources
· Alberta: has more than 83 adult day programs offered through Alberta Health Services where 3,000 seniors currently participate in
· British Columbia: Adult Day Services: Seniors with health issues that live independently have an opportunity to travel to communities in their locations for a variety of services
· Ontario: Community Support Services: Learn about available adult day programs and caregiver support services.
Home Care
Available on a part-time, full-time, or live-in basis, home care providers work closely with you and your loved ones - ensuring that you receive the ideal level of care for your specific and unique needs. From housekeeping and companionship to medical assistance for a disability or chronic condition - home care providers offer a variety of cost-effective and flexible solutions, so you can enjoy a maximum degree of independence in the comfort and familiarity of your own home.
Government Resources
· British Columbia Community Nursing: Learn how to schedule regular home visits from nurses who can help with rehabilitation, wound care, chronic disease management and more
· British Columbia: Home Support: This page describes available home care services, walks you through eligibility requirements, costs, and the registration process.
· Ontario: Home Care: Visit this page to learn how to have health care professionals and/or a personal care assistant make regular visits to your home.
Respite Care
Respite care typically refers to a short-term stay at a senior community, usually an assisted living or memory care community. Respite care is a great living option for an elderly or disabled person who needs some day-to-day supportive services, but still desires social stimulation, engagement and activities. This type of care can also sometimes refer to in-home caregiving services used for only a short period.
Other Names for Respite Care
· Caregiver Respite
· Caregiver Relief
· Short-Term Residential Care
Government Resources
· Alberta: Respite Care: Intended to provide a break for caregivers, this program provides nurse visits to chronically or terminally ill people living at home.
· British Columbia: Caregiver Respite/Relief: Find out about available resources for supplemental care if you become overwhelmed in caregiving to a senior
Reference: http://www.aplaceformom.com/canada/canada-seniors-housing-guide
