Independent Living

“I was too preoccupied to notice that my elderly parents needed help, and now I need help with assisting them, where do I get advice?”

“Our elderly loved one needs a hand with the tasks of daily life but is too stubborn to accept it, how do we help without being intrusive?”

“I’ve never been this lonely and I’d love to live in a retirement community but I don’t know where to start looking, the options are endless!” 

Calgarians love their city and there’s a lot to enjoy including the diverseness of the people, the sunshine, the ease of getting around town and the overall feeling of community. In 2009 and 2010 Maclean’s ranked Calgary in the top five of Canada’s most cultured cities and in 2010 the Economist ranked Calgary as fifth ‘most livable’ city in the world!

Independent living communities are usually age restricted for adults 55 or 50 and up who do not need assistance or supervision with their daily lives. Some independent living communities offer a continuum of care or exist within a campus of care meaning that additional levels of care are available, as residents need it. This is a benefit to couples that may need differing level of care and in that situation they may still reside together.

Each year MoneySense Magazine reviews the best cities to live in Canada under categories including ‘Best Places for Kids’, ‘Best Places to Find a Job’, and my favorite being ‘Best Places to Retire.’  Why does, ‘Best Places to Retire’ jump out at me? Probably because looking ahead to retirement doesn’t seem as dull as it did 25 to 30 years ago. Today’s retirees are painting a new more colorful picture of life as a senior.

From the best shopping to the remarkable sights; from Etobicoke to Scarborough and then the waterfront, there are sights worth seeing and places worth visiting in all corners of Toronto. It’s the city with the best of everything including retirement communities and if you’re even remotely considering retirement in Toronto, there’s much to choose from.

The good news about spending one’s retirement years in Montréal, besides being near the Botanical Gardens, the Cosmodome and Shelburne Museum, is the range of options in senior care and the various styles of retirement homes in Montréal. 

The natural beauty, the sense of culture and a rich history are all things that make the city of Edmonton a great place to explore. If you are considering Edmonton as a vacation destination or as a place to enjoy retirement, Holiday Retirement is already there. The concept of an all-inclusive lifestyle with the option to travel appeals to many, and I personally was happy to find that Edmonton senior housing options include Holiday Retirement. 

Earlier this week a friend light-heartedly mentioned to me that if she had one wish, it would be for a 25-hour day!

There’s an ongoing trend from Victoria, BC to Fredericton, NB as wellness centers are springing up in retirement communities everywhere. Promoting a sense of well-being and engaging residents mentally and physically is a trend that’s certain to continue as seniors enjoy the benefits of being active and inspired.   

The transition to a retirement community can be an exciting time. There are possible communities to consider, amenities you’d like to see in a community, and most importantly, deciding on the town or city with all of the above. It might even seem a bit daunting at times and hopefully once all the decisions are made, travel will still be in the budget!