FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What are the relative advantages of in-home care versus moving to a retirement residence?

The predominant benefit derived from in-home care is the ability to maintain independence. Remianing in familiar surroundings, maintaining friendships and lifestyle, avoiding the stress of deciding where to move and then actually moving are all advantages. Having your own pets and maintaining the routine you personally enjoy are also beneficial.

Retirement residences differ enormously in what they offer. The quality of accommodation and services differs from place to place; cost varies accordingly. Some residences provide access to communal activities that may not be available at home such as swimming pools, exercise rooms, or game nights.

Retirement home marketing representatives will often cite “staff-to-resident ratios”, which are important but not indicative of the potential ongoing costs. Virtually all homes will insist on “extra pay” care at their hourly rate, for your loved ones if additional care is required.

Retirement homes also provide a social environment that can have positive or negative results depending on the individual. More independent seniors tend to dislike not having a meal choice and eating in large groups. Although many retirement residences now offer personal caregiving and nursing assistance, it is often charged as an extra at a rate comparatively higher than it would be for the same help at home. Medication reminders and/or dispensing of medications by nursing staff, is frequently charged to residents “by the minute”.

Should you decide that a retirement residence is the best option, Living Assistance Services can provide the information needed to make the best choice. We offer care to clients in both nursing and retirement homes, we are familiar with and have extensive files for many of the local area residences.