Types of residences:

Senior living environments cover a diverse range of care needs. You may be unsure as to which type of environment is best suited to you or your loved one.  Your Housing Counsellor will help to confirm this, but here is a brief description of each to help you understand the terminology:

• Senior lodging/apartments: You will often see these advertised outside the buildings as being “For active seniors” “Retirees” or “55+ community”. They often feature amenities like pools, tennis courts, and fitness centers — but no services such as meals, or any kind of care staff onsite.
• Independent living: is for active, self-sufficient seniors who don’t need daily care and assistance, but who would benefit from socialization and a maintenance-free lifestyle. These residences offer basic services that many seniors would like when moving into a senior living environment such as meals, house cleaning service, laundry service, organized social activities and outings and some care staff in the building to access as required. Most will also have hairdresser, convenience stores and pharmacy services within their buildings.
• Assisted living or semi-autonomous: is for seniors who require a little more help with activities of daily living such as: dressing, bathing, and mobility — some will also be suited to individuals with some degree of cognitive or memory loss, up to a moderate degree. A greater presence of nursing professionals, caregivers and doctor visits also exist in these residences.
• Home-based residences: provide senior care in a smaller, more family-like setting. Care in these residences is more one-on-one and well suited to seniors who don’t want a large residence or who would benefit from a greater daily presence of caregivers. These environments can go from minimal care and supervision all the way to palliative care in some instances.  They are very strongly supported by their local CLSC social, nursing, and medical professionals.
• Memory care:for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, who need enhanced security features and more engaging, memory-focused therapies and activities. Sometimes Independent and Assisted Living residences offer specialized floors or wings catering to this clientele, which allows their seniors to remain with them, even as their health and needs change over time.
• Nursing homes or CHSLDs – also commonly referred to as full-care facilities: They are there for seniors who require a high level of daily care and supervision or those with chronic or complex medical conditions, where the presence of licenced nurses and frequent doctor visits is recommended.
• Home care: for seniors who prefer to age in place, but who would benefit from regular assistance, transportation, and companionship. We can guide you to the right team of professionals to help achieve this.