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 and are able to pay for this lifestyle on their own.

Retirement homes provide rental accommodation with care and services for seniors who can live independently with minimal to moderate support and are able to fund the lifestyle on their own. You can choose your retirement home and wait lists depend on the individual home. There is flexibility to choose your type of suite, the services you need and the activities you want to participate in.

Long-term care homes (such as homes for the aged and nursing homes) are designed for people who require the availability of 24-hour nursing care and supervision, sometimes within a secure setting. They receive government funding, with residents paying a co-payment for accommodations. There is likely to be a waiting list and you may not get your first choice of facility.

Some of the benefits of living in a retirement home:

  • Freedom from maintaining a home and preparing meals
  • Enjoying privacy while knowing someone is aware of your well-being
  • Belonging to a community of peers and participating in that community
  • Living in a safe and secure environment that can accommodate varying levels of physical mobility and changing care needs

In a retirement home, you no longer need to worry about keeping the yard maintained, shovelling the snow or doing house repairs. You have your own suite and your own privacy, but are able to share meals and activities with others. You also have help nearby if you fall or otherwise need assistance.

The resident (or family) pays for the accommodation and services provided within a retirement home.

The cost for a retirement home is set by each individual home and depends on the type of suite chosen and the services required (e.g. do you need assistance with medication, dressing, bathing).

Your monthly rate will depend on the type of suite and the care services you desire.  When you go for a tour, your guide can provide a breakdown of the costs and services involved.

It depends on the individual home. You may need to place your name on a waiting list for a few weeks or months. Start your search early to ensure a suite is available when you need it.

Anyone can apply to live in retirement home (you do not have to go through CCAC or any other government agency) but the home may assess your medical needs to ensure that they can provide the support level required. If you find a home you are interested in, call them and set up a tour. There may be waiting list. You deal only with the home; there are no other community agencies involved.

Anyone can apply to live in retirement home but the home may assess medical needs to ensure that they can provide the requisite support level. Some retirement homes offer specialized support for those with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, including a secured area. At Sunset Cove we can only accommodate persons mild dementia.

Many homes offer help with the activities of daily living (this may involve an additional fee).  Sunset Cove offers bathing and dressing assistance along with other support services for a fee. Residents may also qualify for publicly funded assistance through the Community Care Access Centre.

As long as you continue to pay your monthly rent, you retain your suite. If your hospitalization results in higher care needs, the home may need to reassess whether they are adequately able to provide the requisite care and/or set any additional fees involved.

Yes, you will be required to sign a lease with the retirement home as set out in the Residential Tenancies Act.

Some retirement homes will allow you to bring your pet as long as you can care for it, although there may be restrictions on the type or size of animal. We are happy to assess and consider allowing a furry friend to move in with you.

Yes. Surface parking for one vehicle is free.

Your suite is your home so you are strongly encouraged to bring your furniture and personal belongings.

Family and friends are welcome to visit and stay for a meal (there may be a small fee involved). Some homes offer guest suites for your guests to stay overnight. Sunset Cove will be providing a guest suite.

You can visit our website to get a basic idea of what we offer. Then pick up the phone and call us. The administrator or another staff member will be happy to give you a tour, arrange for you to stay for a meal and make time for a discussion on what your wants and needs are and whether our home would be a good fit for you.

We offer a short stay or overnight option so that you can fully participate in the activities and amenities of the home and help make the right decision for you.

Here are some ideas about what you should ask on a tour.

The goal of each visit to a retirement home is to build a clear and complete understanding of:

  • The location and the suites available
  • Amenities, programs and services
  • Policies that may affect you (e.g. pets, visitors, oxygen therapies, medical monitoring)
  • The “feel” and personality of the residence
  • The price, pricing options and what’s included

Questions you can ask during your visit:

  • Ask residents about their experiences living there
  • Ask for residents’ family references so you can ask about their experience
  • Ask what happens if your health deteriorates
  • Ask for samples of admission paperwork, menus, activity calendars and newsletters
  • Ask to go beyond the suite and common areas and see the kitchen
  • Ask to see stairwells and less travelled areas to ensure they are clean and well-maintained

You are able to move at any time as long as you give the notice required under your lease.

If you have a concern about a retirement home, please contact the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority through their toll free hotline: 1-855-275-7472.

Retirement homes are communities designed for seniors who want to live a somewhat independent lifestyle but who may need minimal to moderate support with their daily living activities. At a retirement home, you will find a safe, comfortable environment that is your home, not a facility. You can choose how much to do for yourself, how much to have done for you, how to spend your time and with whom to spend it.

As defined by the Retirement Homes Act (RHA), a retirement home is a building that is occupied primarily by persons who are 65 or older, are occupied by at least six people not related to the operator and make available at least two of the thirteen care services set out in the Act.  These include providing meals, assistance with bathing, personal hygiene, dressing or ambulation, providing a dementia care program, administering medicine, providing incontinence care or making available the services of a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

There are many benefits to living in a retirement community including:

  • Freedom from maintaining a home and preparing meals
  • Enjoying privacy while knowing someone is aware of your well-being
  • Belonging to a community of peers and participating in that community
  • Living in a safe and secure environment that can accommodate varying levels of physical mobility and changing care needs

Although each retirement home offers different suites, amenities and services, generally they provide one or more of the following types of accommodation:

Independent Living: Generally consisting of a studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment, independent living provides a home environment without the responsibility of home maintenance or cooking. Residents have access to social activities, group excursions and special events as well as all amenities such as libraries, exercise rooms or chapels. Certain care services, such as medication administration, may be included or may be available for additional fees. Emergency assistance is obtainable 24 hours a day. Here, seniors also enjoy delicious and nutritious meals, can enjoy a feel of ‘home’ in any way that they wish, and may be able to access additional services as needs change.

Assisted Living: If you need extra help but are still independent, then assisted living may be a good option for you. Assisted Living provides the home environment of independent living with extra care services such as assistance with dressing, bathing, grooming and medication. Depending on the home, you may be able to stay in the same independent living suite while obtaining assisted living services. The benefits to assisted living is that you can access additional supportive services, medical services and personal support while still being able to live as you wish and enjoy life within your community.

Specialized dementia care or Memory Care: Memory care communities are able to create supportive, safe and secure environments for people with mild dementia all the while providing opportunities for residents to live life to the fullest through social, recreation and fitness activities. Memory Care residences are equipped with the expertise to support seniors with varying forms and levels of dementia.

Short Term Stays: Some retirement homes offer short-term stays for seniors who want to ‘test drive’ what it is like to live in a retirement home. Some homes offer short stays for those recovering from a hospital procedure and who need that extra support before they return to their own home. Regardless of the circumstances, short stays provide seniors the opportunity to really understand the benefits of retirement home living, with access to nutritious and delicious meals, social and recreational programming, and access to specialized support services.