Retirement Residence & Assisted Living

Exceptional Service and Care in Beautiful Surroundings​

Exceptional Service and Care in Beautiful Surroundings​

Retirement Residence & Assisted Living

FAQ – Retirement Home Frequently Asked Questions

Seeking a Retirement Residence (also known as “Home”) or a retirement community for yourself or a loved one?

Here are important questions that can help guide you through the process and help you make the right choice.

 

A retirement residence, also referred to as a retirement home is a privately-owned residence that provides rental accommodation with care and services for seniors who can live independently with minimal to moderate support or require more advanced assisted living care and are able to fund this lifestyle on their own.

 

A retirement community is a seniors housing complex designed for older adults who are generally able to care for themselves; however, assistance and activities and socialization opportunities are often provided.

 

All Retirement Homes in Ontario must be licensed by the RHRA (Retirement Regulatory Authority of Ontario) and subject to regular inspections and audits.

 

The RHRA (Retirement Regulatory Authority of Ontario) is an independent, not-for-profit corporation governed by a Board of directors, established under the Act by the Ontario government for the purpose of regulating the retirement residences.

 

The main difference is the level of care provided at a long term care residence is much greater than that of a retirement community. Generally, residents of LTC are more frail and require a heavier level of assisted living supports.

Another key difference is the level of government support – LTC residents are subsidized by a daily co-pay, which can lessen their financial strain and monthly costs for rent, care and services are generally less than retirement residences. Because of this, it may take up to two years on a waiting list before a room is made available.

 

According to CMHC, the average rent for Ontario assisted living units was $3,274 in 2017, with monthly prices ranging from roughly $1,930 for the least expensive bachelor to just over $8,000 for the most expensive two-bedroom apartment. Rent for heavy-care spaces averaged $4,784.

 

There are a range of services available and included, or available for an additional fee, in every retirement residence. Typically, these services fall into two categories: convenience and support. Typical services can include meals and snacks, recreation and activity programs, laundry and housekeeping, emergency response, medication administration, personal assistance and numerous others. You can choose and review the services in your package to ensure that they meet your personal needs with any residence representatives.

 

This depends a lot on your personal preferences. The following is a list of criteria to consider when looking at potential retirement options:

Accommodations: Consider things like wheelchair accessibility, whether or not a kitchenette is available, housekeeping and laundry services, etc.

Activities and Leisure activities: Be sure to inquire about outdoor spaces, common areas, recreational programming, onsite amenities (like a salon or spa), and worship services.

Health and assisted living services: Always be sure to check staff credentials and facility safety protocols. If you require more in-depth assisted living services, you may wish to speak directly to our RN nurse manager.

 

It’s never too soon to start this conversation with a loved one. Making the transition from independent living to a retirement community doesn’t have to be difficult; however, it will take some adjusting to. Start the conversation by asking your loved one about their future plans and needs. Be supportive and enthusiastic about their options. By keeping a positive outlook and assisting your loved one with their research and planning, you’ll help them feel more confident and comfortable with their decision.

 

With all retirement residences in Ontario that offer assisted living, an initial assessment and care plan is specifically designed for each resident. This plan should include details about a variety of things – from medical equipment needed, medications needed, specific care needs, as well as input from the doctor. A copy of the plan is always made available to you.

 

To book a visit, tour, complimentary lunch or a short term stay, call us 905-885-7261 or email us at info@towerofporthope.ca  visit our contact page to schedule a visit at a time that is convenient for you.

Yes! Lots of photos of our retirement residence can be found on individual property pages. Many include photos of suites. Check here for some

 

Once you have decided to move into one of our residences, we will provide you with our Welcome Guidebook to facilitate the move-in process. Also, prior to move-in, we will schedule a time with you to visit for an hour or two in order to review information and complete the required paperwork.

 

Our residences offer you the opportunity to stay with us for a short period of time based on availability. You can experience our accommodations and services for a range of situations including if you are in need of short-term support to convalesce or if you would like to experience a trial stay in a retirement home. More info here.

 

We will do our best to provide you with the care and service that you require to keep you happy, healthy and engaged in one of our residences. However, we recognize that your needs may change over time, and this is why we offer flexible services to accommodate those changing needs. Of course, if your needs change beyond our ability to meet those requirements, we will work with you and your family to determine the best and most appropriate options available.

 

The team in your residence will help you make this transition and assist you with any questions you might have regarding this procedure.

 

We have a range of room options depending on the specific residence you are interested in.

 

We offer a range of options from a kitchen, kitchenettes to stove top ranges. Please inquire directly with management during your tour!

 

We have loads of activities, outings and parties! Our Lifestyle and Program Manager in each residence is responsible for coordinating our diversified and engaging life enrichment programs. To see examples of the types of programming offered, please visit our “Active Living” pages here .

 

We ensure all governing federal and provincial regulatory guidelines and practices are met in our residences, in the most skilled, ethical manner. Additionally, a copy of our safety and security guidelines will be given to you prior to your move. These guidelines include matters such as fire prevention and fire safety emergency procedures, among other topics.

 

Tower of Port Hope Retirement is located about 35 minutes drive from Sarnia, ON, and about 40 minutes from London, ON. We are about a 15 minute drive to Grand Bend, ON of Lambton Shores.

Tower of Port Hope has a designated smoking area, well suited to the needs of our smokers.

Yes! We encourage it! We welcome family and friends. As a courtesy to the chef, we ask that you please offer notice that they are coming. A fee may apply. For more information, please visit our “Dining” section.

 

Families are encouraged to bring pictures and personal items that make the room feel like home. Residents can bring their own furniture as long as the bed is still easily accessible in case of emergency and the amount of furniture does not pose a safety risk to the resident.

 

We ensure all governing federal and provincial regulatory guidelines and practices are met in our residences, in the most skilled, ethical manner. Additionally, a copy of our safety and security guidelines will be given to you prior to your move. These guidelines include areas such as fire prevention and fire safety, visiting guidelines, emergency procedures, smoking policy, etc.

 

We work with you to find options that accommodate your needs. All menus are reviewed and approved by a Registered Dietitian. Special dietary requirements are accommodated in consultation with the resident, their physician and the dietitian.

 

Tower of Port Hope has a Zero Tolerance for Abuse and Neglect. Our policy is to promote zero tolerance of abuse and neglect of its residents. Resident abuse means physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, or financial abuse. Resident neglect means the failure to provide a resident with the care and assistance required for his or her health, safety or well-being and includes inaction or a pattern of inaction that jeopardizes the health and safety of one or more residents.

Yes, you have to notify your landlord in writing that you are terminating your tenancy. According to the Residential Tenancies Act, if you live in a care home, you only have to give your landlord 30 days notice. The 30 day notice period begins the day you give the landlord a written notice. If you leave before the 30 days are up, in most cases you do not have to pay for services from your landlord. If you move out and your landlord is able to rent to someone else before the 30 days is up, you are not responsible for paying for those days during which your apartment or room has been re-rented. The notice to your landlord must identify your room or apartment, state the date of termination, and must be signed by you.

 

If you live in an ordinary apartment or other rental accommodation where you do not pay for care services or meals from your landlord, you must give your landlord a notice in writing to end your tenancy. If you pay rent by the month and do not have a fixed term lease (for example, for one year) you must give a 60 day notice. The 60 day period begins on the first day of the beginning of the next rental period, not from the day you give the notice to your landlord. For example, suppose you rent an apartment on a monthly basis and pay your rent on the first day of each month. If you decide on April 15th that you want to end your tenancy, you must give your landlord a 60 day notice. The 60 day period begins on May the 1st and runs until the end of June. If you move out early and your landlord is able to re-rent your apartment before the 60 days is up, you do not have to pay for the days it has been re-rented. The notice to your landlord must identify your room or apartment, state the date of termination, and must be signed by you.

 

If you have a lease for a fixed term, you cannot terminate your tenancy before the end of the term unless your landlord agrees to it or you get an order from the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board to end your tenancy. Otherwise, a 60 day notice to your landlord is required to terminate a fixed term tenancy at the end of the term.

 

A landlord can evict you for certain reasons. Rules and policies that apply are eviction under Section 148 of the Residential Tenancies Act.

 

Tower of Port Hope Retirement Residence is a privately owned retirement home. The owners are very active in the day to day management and care of their residents, to ensure quality standards are always maintained.

It’s important to know how an agency selects and train its employees. Can the agency provide references who’ve had experience with the agency? Also be sure to ask if the caregivers are licensed and insured, and if background checks are done on them.

 

Youth is wasted on the young, so the saying goes. Many older people have health issues, worry about retirement savings, and their mobility slows. So why are so many seniors so happy?

As reported recently on HispanicBusiness.com, studies have shown that people’s happiness tends to increase until the age of 30, when it peaks and then begins to decline, and then rises after the age of 50. The news source said that the age demographic with the highest levels of happiness are those over the age of 80.

 

“There is a shift in priorities and goals and what’s important as we age,” Cory Balkan, a psychology expert from the Washington State University Vancouver, told the media outlet. “Personal relationships and friendships are very important to them. They live in the present moment.”

 

A recent study from Northeastern University in Boston found that seniors tend to focus less on negativity, and more on the bright side of things. The lead researcher, Derek Isaacowitz, told the news source that his study asked younger people and older people to look at both positive and negative imagery, and seniors tended to spend less time looking at the negative imagery, possibly because their life experiences have taught them to do just that.

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