There are many kinds of care for seniors in Scarborough. Through each of the links below you will be directed to the different kind of care available.
Seniors’ buildings are only for those that are independent and do not require any physical assistance. Rent is sometimes geared to income for qualified individuals and, in some cases, are part of the social housing network in a city/community. Some buildings have regularly scheduled events and activities, some may have a visiting doctor however, any personal care/assistance/housekeeping must be purchased privately or arranged though the Scarborough Central LHIN unless the building offers supportive housing services. Applications are usually submitted through the organization that manages the property. If you are unsure of who that might be, contact the building directly to enquire.
Also known as ‘co-op housing’, it is a kind of non-profit housing in which residents are actively and equally involved in making the decisions that run the community they live in. There are co-op communities for only seniors with a pre-determined minimum age criterion, there are some for just families, and yet others that are open to any age group. The members do not usually hold any ownership in the property. They pay monthly rent that may be income-based and possibly less than market rates depending on their situation and the rules of the co-operative.
In some cases, independent living for rent in Scarborough may be part of a seniors’ building, retirement residence or a seniors’ cooperative. In this case, this type of property may also appear on one of our other housing lists as well. Alternately, you may find that a property in this category is an apartment building open to any age group for people who are independent and either do not need assistance or only need minimal assistance that is purchased privately by the tenant or obtained through the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).
There are some seniors’ rental apartment buildings that offer supportive housing services where minimal to moderate care is offered through personal support services connected with, or contracted by, the property (through an external provider). Assistance can include everything from homemaking to personal care, depending on the property, available services and contract details between the service provider and the resident.
Some retirement homes call themselves Assisted Living Residences, have Assisted Living Units/Floors or provide Assisted Living Services. Usually this means that some care services are included for residents. Services available are dependent on the home and may include variations of housekeeping, laundry, meals, personal care &/or medication management.
Independent Living Plus Care Services is available in many retirement homes, (some homes call this level of care Independent Supportive Living) and means that extra à la carte care services are provided for a fee in the independent suites so residents requiring some support/care do not need to move to an Assisted Living Unit.
Retirement homes (which may also be called retirement residences or retirement communities) are ideal for older persons who are in relatively good health and have minimal to moderate care needs and either cannot, or do not want to be, in their own private home. They provide safety and supervision, while allowing for privacy and independence. Retirement homes usually have organized activities allowing seniors to socialize with people their own age. Most prepare all meals for residents, provide housekeeping, in some cases laundry services, and have the added feature of care provision as required. <Br><br> Retirement homes vary greatly in location, size, accommodation, cost, services, staffing and amenities. In general, costs are market-driven and dependent on location, ownership, care needs, amenities, and other factors. In general, because Scarborough is a main city, Scarborough retirement homes will be priced higher than those in rural areas. As well, many are owned by corporations, which will offer more services and programs than a small independently owned home, but also will be at a bit of a higher cost than those owned by independent people without corporate backing and funding. <Br><br> Most residents enter a retirement residence when they are still healthy, active, fairly independent, and cognitively alert. They usually can look after some of their personal care and get to the dining room unassisted. Most Scarborough retirement homes have health care aides and/or nursing staff available in the event of a medical emergency. Many Scarborough retirement homes can provide supervision with medication administration and bathing, if required, though there may be an extra fee for those services. Meals, housekeeping, and in-house recreational programs are generally included in the monthly cost. All applications for retirement homes are submitted directly to the home you are interested in.
Some retirement residences and long-term care homes have secure floors or units for residents with dementia/memory issues who are at risk for wandering. There are also a few residences that specialize in dementia care and are only available to those with significant cognitive impairment.
Long-term care homes are licensed, regulated and funded by the Ministry of Health. Eligibility is determined by your LHIN (Local Health Integration Network). Long-term care homes provide 24-hour/day supervision and assistance with all personal care needs of medically stable people in a secure and supervised environment. They offer significant care and include standard furnishings, all meals, and all care services to qualified individuals. Residents are expected to pay room and board rates set by the government while the government pays the care costs for residents. Contact your LHIN for pricing and application information.
Palliative care is synonymous with end-of-life care. It is usually for people with a short prognosis, provides comfort care only and may be offered in a small hospice setting or a hospital offering a palliative unit.
Complex continuing care is usually provided in hospital-like facilities to those that are chronically medically unstable or have complex issues where frequent nursing or medical attention is required. People are admitted directly from an acute care hospital and must require more care than a long-term care home is able to provide.
Senior condos combine retirement living and home ownership in either an apartment-style or townhouse structure. Many will have senior-friendly features inside the units and a choice of service packages or amenities for a set fee. They usually have full kitchens but often have the option of an on-site restaurant for residents.
Life lease structures tend to be part of the non-profit sector and involve ownership different to a traditional condominium. The resident purchases a leasehold interest in the property. There are monthly maintenance fees much like a condominium, but the purchase price is less than a traditional condominium. The corporation holds title to the property and sets the eligibility guidelines for who may purchase a leasehold interest. Many properties are connected to seniors’ resources so on-site support can be purchased through an affiliated agency. It does allow for some aging in place though residents do need to be fairly independent. The amenities, purchase price, maintenance fees and extra service costs will vary depending on various factors including the owner, location and type of structure.
Primarily for the younger (usually 55+) and completely independent senior or ‘mature adult’, these active adult lifestyle communities are commonly built in outskirt area. Usually there is an ownership component (either full ownership or Life Lease) with a multitude of shared amenities (they often have a clubhouse which houses recreation facilities; there may be a golf course, swimming pool, scheduled activities, etc.) creating a ‘resort-feel’. Residents are buying into a ‘lifestyle’ where they can stay active and meet others with shared interests. Structures can be bungalows, townhomes or apartment-style dwellings. Retirement is not a prerequisite and many residents still work or volunteer and have very active lives.