Retirement Homes near Scarborough, ON

Assisted Living in Scarborough, ON

What Is Assisted Living?

As opposed to a nursing home, which provides 24/7 medical care, assisted living is long-term care that helps residents maintain their independence while providing some assistance with some daily activities and other services. In addition to housing, meals and activities, services may include personal care assistance, medication management, laundry services and transportation.

What Services Are Available?

Every assisted living community offers its own unique experience. The services offered will vary from each, as will the costs associated with them. The care and environment ideal for each person is different, so it is important to get a comprehensive list of services from any potential community. While not all-encompassing, below are a few services and amenities that may be available.

• Pet-friendly, private rooms
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• Local transportation
• Educational, social and entertainment activities
• Restaurant-style dining
• Indoor and outdoor commons areas
• Emergency alert systems
• Visiting medical specialists

What Are the Signs It’s Time for Assisted Living?

The journey to finding the right care begins after thoughtful consideration of whether it is time your loved one may need an additional level of assistance. Unfortunately, changes that may mean it’s time can be gradual, making it hard to know when the time is right. A Place for Mom has resources and tools, along with expert Advisors, to guide you through things to look for. As someone close to the person, chances are knowing some signs may help ease the decision.

If you are the primary caregiver and the need for your assistance increases, your family may benefit from this long-term care option. In addition to maintaining the well-being of a loved one, caregivers also need to minimize stress levels and care for themselves. Other signs that an assisted living discussion should happen are listed below.

• Changes in Behavior – Depression and agitation can be common behavioral changes in aging adults. These can be related to physical or cognitive issues and may lead to isolation. No matter your age, being engaged with family and friends are important to overall well-being. Older adults who isolate themselves may also be at risk for less-than timely medical care.
• Reduced Personal and Home Cleanliness – You know your loved one best. If you see that they are no longer taking care of themselves the way they once did, it may mean they are beginning to have difficulties doing so. Indicators of this could be poor hygiene, dishes piling up, rotting food in the refrigerator or neglected laundry. Additionally, a loved one may start to ignore paying bills, shopping and other tasks.
• Increased Medical Issues – For older adults faced with chronic illnesses, doctor’s visits and figuring out daily medicine can become complex and time-consuming. If a loved one lives alone, ensuring they are taking the proper dosage may not be an easy task. Older adults also are prone to more falls and minor injuries, which can lead to more serious issues.

What Are ADLs and IADLs?

Even if there are signs that may mean assisted living is needed, there are long-standing assessment tools to aid you in the process. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) include six basic self-care skills needed for independent living, including bathing and showering, bowel and bladder control, dressing oneself with appropriate clothes, ability to walk and get out of a bed or chair, ability to self-feed, functional mobility to walk and get out of a bed or chair, ability to self-feed, and getting on and off a toilet and cleaning oneself.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are the more complex tasks needed to navigate an independent lifestyle. Once assistance is needed with more than one of these, your loved one may be ready for extra care. Some IADLs include cleaning, laundry, money management, meal preparation, shopping and transportation.

What Is Assisted Living Like in Scarborough, ON?

Whether you live nearby or thousands of miles away, Scarborough is a vibrant city in the eastern section of Toronto. A stone’s throw from Lake Ontario, beach lovers and sea adventurers can enjoy many facets of the scenic river. Bird lovers will delight in visiting East Point Park, a migratory staging area visited by more than 178 species of birds and monarch butterflies. The Scarborough Bluffs and Rouge National Urban Park offer nature trails and other adventurers. People can also get up-close and personal with wild animals at the renowned Toronto Zoo.

Although Scarborough has a moderate climate, it does have cold winters. The temperatures can vary and are often cooler closer to the lake. Even when the temperatures get chilly, the town has much to offer for indoor fun. From tasting a range of cuisines at fine-dining establishments to visiting a museum or attending a show at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, arts and culture thrive in this city.

Assisted Living Inspections and Ratings in Scarborough, ON

You want your loved one to feel at home in an assisted living facility. No matter how many bells and whistles it may have, you deserve the peace of mind that the facility adheres to government regulated standards. The Retirement Act was established in 2010 to create these standards and ensure that every facility follows them. The Retirement Home Regulatory Authority is the entity that oversees licensing, inspections, investigations and enforcement. Its website has a host of information, including a searchable public register that has a complete history of a facility’s record and compliance.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Scarborough, ON?

As with most things, no one assisted living facility costs the same. While they may vary throughout the country and from city to city, as well as facility to facility, on average, assisted living costs $3,3365 in the Scarborough area.

How Can I Understand Assisted Living Costs?

The price of assisted living is typically determined by a flat fee, which is the same for all residents regardless of services needed or use, or a tiered pricing structure. For the latter, this includes a base fee, which covers things similar to rent, and a care fee, which includes the added care services your loved one needs. The cost of each service will vary in price. This structure may also include a medication management fee or other ancillary fees, such as parking, extra meals or special activities.

There are many variables that can affect the cost for both methods. These may include the size and quality of the room, as well as the level of luxury, such as gourmet meals. Depending on the facility, things like cable TV, Wi-Fi or transportation may be free or cost. Most communities require a one-time upfront fee.

What to Look For When Touring Assisted Living Facilities

Cost and location often become top priorities when deciding the best community for your loved one. While those are important, the actual environment and facility itself will determine which one is the best fit for your family. The best way to get a feel for what a facility has to offer is to visit one and take a tour. If you need assistance, A Place for Mom can help you through the process of setting up an appointment.

It is also important to visit at least five facilities. As you take the tours, you can take notes to give yourself a better chance at finding that perfect fit. While touring, there are a number of things to pay attention to:

• Staff Friendliness – A person’s attitude often shows in their behavior. Staff members that are attentive, positive and friendly often indicate they are truly passionate about being a caregiver. Observe how they interact with residents to gauge how residents are generally treated.
• Engaged Residents – Every individual is unique, as is their level of engagement. While some residents may prefer to be off to the side with their own activity, they should still be a sense of happiness and activity throughout the tour. Be sure to observe how active residents are, as well as the attitudes they display. The best way to do that is to schedule a tour during a meal time. It not only lets you observe the environment, you get firsthand experience of the quality of food your loved one will be eating.
• Cleanliness – While an older facility is bound to show some signs of aging, there should not be anything alarming. Any structural deterioration indicates that upkeep may be lacking. Both outside and indoors, the overall appearance should be well-kept and clean. Lingering odors or stains may indicate neglect.
• Safety First – Every facility should make the well-being of their residents a top priority. Look for clearly marked exits, overhead sprinklers, door and window locks, and other features that will make life easier for residents, such as grip bars and call buttons. Hallways and stairwells, if applicable, should also be well-lit.
• Ask Questions – Be prepared to ask questions and for the guide to readily answer them. These questions could include personal care routines, mealtime scheduling, move-out fees or how activities work. Whatever is important to you and your loved one should top the questions list.

The comfort and enjoyment of your loved one are what matters. If a facility doesn’t meet your requirements, take note of that and visit another one. Our Senior Advisors can help you pinpoint what requirements you need to be met, as well as help you develop questions to ask to find the perfect fit.

How Do I Make the Right Choice?

With the many assisted living options available in the Scarborough area, A Place for Mom understands how complex the process can be. Our Advisors are experts on the ins and outs of senior care, as well as the local communities in Scarborough. Whether you are just starting the process and need help determining the level of care, aren’t sure how to approach your loved one to have this delicate conversation or are ready to make the transition and need movers or other services, A Place for Mom has resources to help that are just a click or a phone call away.