Retirement Homes near Cambridge, ON

Assisted Living in Cambridge, ON

What Is Assisted Living?

An assisted living facility assist seniors with daily living tasks but do not have the skilled medical professionalls necessary for 24/7 medical care. Nursing homes cater to those seniors who need more medical attention. Seniors can retain some of their independence living in an assisted living facility that is unavailable at a nursing home.

With the average life expectancy in Canada rising into the 80s, more seniors are expected to need help as they age. Planning for that future may mean considering an assisted living facility once the time has come for the senior to need assistance with daily living activities. ADLs are something that can be monitored to help loved ones decide on the type of care the senior may need.

Assisted living has also been called supportive housing, congregate care, retirement care and independent supportive living. These facilities offer a variety of residential suites to suit the needs of the senior. The services help them live semi-independently in a secure and safe place.

Assisted Living Inspections and Ratings in Cambridge, ON

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care has instituted a Long-Term Care Home Quality Inspection Program. Facilities receive unannounced inspections from the ministry. Any necessary measures are enforced with complete government transparency.

As part of the inspection program, the ministry representative interviews staff, residents and family members regarding the care received. Only certified inspectors perform the inspections using independently validated methods. The assisted living facility receives this information to use in their quality improvement and educational programs.

The inspection report documents any violations or non-compliance issues. The minimum the facility receives for non-compliance is a Written Notification of Non-Compliance. The severity and scope of any violations along with the facility€™s compliance history all influence the measures taken by the inspector in regard to the current violations.

A public report is available within the home to be viewed by current and potential residents and their families. The personal information gathered during the inspection is redacted for privacy. See the facility for more information on their inspection report.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Cambridge, ON?

Since the different facilities have different services they offer, the costs for living in one vary from facility to facility. Common factors affecting the overall cost include the type of residence, luxury level, apartment size, necessary services and facility location. The average cost ranges from $1500 to $10755.

Families can cover the costs through private pay or subsidies for those who qualify. Communities may charge per service used or a flat rate charge. Some facilities charge deposits and entrance fees.

What Is Senior Living Like in Cambridge, ON?

Toronto is a 45-minute drive on the 401 from Cambridge. The rich architectural heritage of the modern city is right at your fingertips. As part of the Waterloo Region, Cambridge is the second largest community founded in 1973 by the Province of Ontario. Cambridge consists of three once distinct communities: Hespeler, Galt and Preston. See some of that history in the three historic cores or visit some of the local museums such as the Cambridge Archives, McDougall Cottage, Waterloo Region Museum or Fashion History Museum.

The arts and cultural opportunities extend beyond the unique histories available in museums. Public art spaces allow visitors to enjoy reimagined public spaces with digital light projection shows and the Cambridge Sculpture Garden. Enjoy art at the Art Gallery at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts or the Dorothy Harvey Gallery.

Residents can enjoy visits to local farmer€™s markets, strolls through the parks or visit the library. Throughout the year, the city has many special events and festivals to liven the place up. From summertime concerts in the park to Santa Claus parades, the city has a little something for everyone.

What Services Are Available?

An assisted living facility often includes some standard services and features. The specific services offered depend on the facility. Most facilities include most of these services:

• Health and exercise programs
• Social and recreational activities
• Access to on-staff or visiting healthcare professionalls
• Meal service
• Transportation services
• Medication management
• Housekeeping
• Laundry
• Activities of Daily Living

Families can choose the luxury level, apartment size and resident type to customize their loved one€™s new residence. The types of social and recreational activities available vary. Some common additional services can include cooking, gardening, outdoor areas and an onsite beautician.

Assisted living facilities offer three or more meals a day and personal care. Many facilities offer incontinence care, mobility assistance and accept wheelchairs. Some facilities offer diabetes management and/or Alzheimer's€™s care.

What to Look For When Touring Assisted Living Facilities

Touring an assisted living facility gives you the opportunity to interview the staff and residents. It also allows you to physically inspect the facility for cleanliness and atmosphere. You have the opportunity to evaluate how the staff treats their residents that is hard to accomplish on a website or phone call. Contact A Place for Mom for help arranging a tour.

On the tour, you have an opportunity to speak with a staff member about the facility. Asking questions during this time can help you determine whether or not the facility may suit your loved one and address their needs. Some sample questions to ask include:

• What training and experience does the staff have?
• How is the overnight handled?
• Are the services a la carte or flat fee based?
• What is the resident-to-staff ratio?
• How are payments processed?
• Do you have any experience with (issues or diagnosis of your care recipient)?

Ideally, you want to try to visit the facility while a social activity or recreational activity is going on. You can see how the residents interact with each other and how the staff monitors the activity. How do these activities match up with the interests of your loved one?

While on the tour, sample a meal. Many seniors value their meals and want a dining room experience that meets their expectations. Consider how the food tastes and the options available.

Seek out honest opinions from families of past and current residents. Look out for any unusual smells or unpleasant odors as you tour the facility. In the end, it is wise to trust your gut instincts in choosing a facility.

What Are the Signs Its€™s Time for Assisted Living?

With the average life expectancy rising, more seniors may need assistance as they age. Understanding some of the signs and symptoms that your loved one needs additional care can help you make that decision before your personal resources are depleted. Some common signs to be on the lookout for include:

• Caregiver stress
• Sundowning
• Disabling anxiety
• Home safety
• Intrusive thoughts
• Avoidance behaviors
• Hyper-vigilance
• Agitation
• Escalating care needs
• Stress
• Wandering

Caring for a loved one who needs ever increasing care can tax the caregiver€™s mental, physical and emotional resources. An assisted living facility provides the care your loved one needs in a safe environment with staff on hand 24 hours a day. Sometimes a facility is in the best interests of your loved one.

Dementia and Alzheimer's€™s care tends to escalate with time. The senior needs increasing supervision and may experience negative emotions during this process. With all the obligations of living, being the sole caregiver may no longer be an option for some.

When your loved one starts showing signs that they can no longer live completely independently, it is a good idea to start the search for an assisted living facility. Finding a facility early can help you plan for when it is time to move them to a community that can better meet their ongoing needs.

What Are ADLs and IADLs?

Most facilities offer assistance with Activities of Daily Living. These basic tasks are essential to providing to the physical needs of the resident. The staff or other healthcare professionall may conduct an ADLs assessment to help determine the level of care needed.

These assessments focus on the physical needs of a person such as toileting, dressing, bathing and showering, self-feeding, functional mobility and continence. Developed in the 1950s, the assessment tool is still effective in measuring the functional status and overall health of the person. Taking the ADLs assessment one step further, the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living assess a person€™s ability to live independently. These are more complex activities and can help caregivers see indicators for physical disabilities, Alzheimer's€™s and dementia. Typical activities assessed include:

• Use of communication devices
• Money management
• Housekeeping and cleaning
• Transportation
• Meal prep
• Medication management
• Shopping
• Laundry

The ADLs focus on the ability of a person to complete a group of activities that require more than physical ability. The mental challenge inherent in some of the activities can provide a baseline to chart any diminished functionality in mental or physical ability as the person ages.

How Do I Find the Right Assisted Living Facility?

Don’t let the fear of choosing the wrong facility keep you from getting your loved one the care they need. These life-changing decisions are easier when you have a wealth of information to address your concerns and answer your questions. The right guide can provide a road map to help you make a decision.

One key way to assess the available facilities is to look at the current needs of your loved one. What does that person need to live a full life as far as they are capable? Seniors with certain abilities may not be able to be as active as they once were.

Take your time making this decision. Talk with your loved one about things they are interested in their new living situation. Once you€™ve narrowed down the facilities, take a tour, read the inspection report and review all the fine print before making a decision.

What Other Resources Are Available?

Living in the Cambridge, ON area gives your loved one access to many things to capture their interests and enjoy their lives. The process of finding the right facility to suit their specific needs and wants can seem daunting. That€™s why A Place for Mom provides a Senior Living Advisor at no charge to the family to assist with making that decision.

The knowledge and services available on our website combined with your knowledge of your loved one is a powerful combination. The combined information can help you find the right facility for your loved one where they can live comfortably and safely. An advisor is available for a free consultation.