30 Assisted Living Facilities near Kitchener, ON. Page 2

Assisted Living in Kitchener, ON

What Is Assisted Living?

Unlike a nursing home, designed to provide 24/7 medical care for older adults with complex medical situations, assisted living is a long-term care option focused on encouraging independence while providing assistance with daily living activities. Along with being a housing option, these communities typically offer social activities, meals and local transportation, as well as can accommodate changing levels of need.

What Services Are Available?

Like every family is unique, so is each assisted living community. The level of care and services may vary, but most are designed to keep residents engaged, comfortable and independent. When finding the perfect place for your loved one, services to look for may include:

• Pet-friendly
• Private rooms
• Restaurant-style dining
• Educational and enrichment activities
• Offsite outings
• Commons areas, indoor and outdoor
• Wheel-chair accessibility
• Onsite beautician
• Visiting medical professionalls
• Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

What Are ADLs and IADLs?

ADLs and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are an important tool in assessing a person€™s physical and mental ability to perform tasks necessary for self-care in their daily lives. If a person needs assistance with an ADL, it often is a sign that a long-term care option may be needed. ADLs are categorized into six essential skills.

1. Bathing and showering
2. Complete bowel and bladder control
3. Dressing oneself with appropriate clothes
4. Functional mobility, including walking and get out of a bed or chair
5. Self-feeding, including moving food from plate to mouth and chewing and swallowing
6. Getting on and off a toilet, as well as being able to clean oneself after

IADLs are considered more complex activities that are still a necessary part of independent living, such as housekeeping, laundry, money management, medication management, food preparation, shopping, transportation and use of communication tools. The inability to perform an IADL may not be an instant sign for added care. If a loved one lives alone, it is important to address these to ensure safe, comfortable living arrangements.

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

Assessing self-care abilities using ADLs and IADLs are only part of deciding if its€™s time your loved ones need extra care. You know and understand the person you care about. As you spend time with them, its€™s important to take note when obvious changes in how they act or care for themselves. While subtle changes may just be simple snippets of aging, continued changes are important to reflect on.

• Medical Issues €“ Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies are more prone to illness and injury. Chronic medical issues can easily become difficult to manage. Even if your loved one seems healthy, a frequent fall or minor injury can become more serious.
• Behavioral Changes €“ As much as you may care about someone, depression can affect anyone. Many older adults may begin to have cognitive or physical issues that can lead to isolation and depression can begin to affect one€™s health. Staying active is a key element of staying healthy. Assisted living provides a social network and activities, no matter the level of participation, to keep people engaged.
• Household and Personal Care €“ Daily life requires a surprisingly huge amount tasks. Though many are small and often not even considered, they are all necessary to maintaining a happy life. If bills begin to go unpaid or laundry starts piling up, your loved one may be starting to have difficulty handling some of the nuances of complete independent leaving. A sudden change in personal care or eating habits may also be indicators that extra care is needed.

What Is Assisted Living Like in Kitchener, ON?

Only 62 miles from the bustling city of Toronto, Kitchener provides big-city living with small-town charm. Along with neighboring towns of Waterloo and Cambridge, the Kitchener metropolitan area has approximately 523, 894 people.

People who appreciate the beauty of every season will find Kitchener a comforting locale. Warm, humid summers and a pleasant spring and autumn make enjoying the numerous scenic outdoor activities easy. Whether visiting Huron Natural area, a nature preserve with trails, or strolling around downtown€™s Victoria Park €” which features a lake, playground and pavilion€”outdoor enthusiasts will have no trouble finding something to do. Even when cold winter hits, Kitchener doesn’t€™t lack in things to do. From the science-themed THEMUSEUM to art galleries and historical sites, including Joseph Schneider Haus built in the 1850s and the former home of a 1900s prime minister, the culture scene offers an extensive list of to-dos.

Assisted Living Inspections and Ratings in Kitchener, ON

Placing the care of your loved one in the hands of others requires having peace of mind. In Canada, The Retirement Act was established in 2010 to protect residents in assisted living communities. This act created the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority, which oversees licensing, inspections, investigations and enforcement. The act also established care and safety standards that require emergency plans, assessments, background checks and staff training. The RHRA website includes a searchable public register to gain the complete history of a facility€™s record and compliance.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Kitchener, ON?

Costs for assisted living varying across Canada vary. Typically, the amounts go up when closer to larger cities. Although each facility sets its own pricing and offers different services, the average cost around the Kitchener areas is approximately $3,500 a month. If more services are needed, you can expect that cost to go up.

How Can I Understand Assisted Living Costs?

The cost of assisted living includes various components that may affect the price. Different communities may have different methods they use to determine pricing. Many of them offer an a la carte model. This tiered pricing breaks down the costs and provides flexibility in regards to what services are paid for. It includes a base fee that covers utilities, housekeeping, maintenance and meals. A care fee is determined by the type and number of services required. If a loved one has a complex medication regimen, a medication management fee may also be included, as well as other ancillary services such as parking, physical therapy or extra outings.

Other facilities charge a flat rate. Regardless of which services are used, every resident pays the same amount. For people who know that additional services will eventually be needed, this type of payment option can make long-term budgeting a little easier. It is important to discuss which method is used when researching a potential community. Our Advisors can provide assistance in understanding how it works or which one might be a good option for your unique situation.

No matter which facility you choose, you can expect to pay a one-time upfront fee, which reserves a spot in the community. This amount will also vary among communities.

What to Look For When Touring Assisted Living Facilities

During your journey to find the best care possible for your loved one, a physical visit to a community provides a clearer picture of what to expect. Since every facility is different, it is important to visit several of them before making a decision. Along with cost and services offered, each will have its own feel and culture, one of which may be a better option for your family. These facilities understand this important stage and encourage potential residents and their families to take a tour. If you are unsure of the best way to make arrangements, A Place for Mom can help you set up a tour.

Your senses are the best resource for gauging the essence of a community. Surprisingly, taste is also on the list. Coordinating a tour during a meal can be a great way to not only judge the food your loved one will be given, it provides an opportunity to experience the daily environment. In addition to looking and listening, come prepared to ask questions. Everyone you have is important and should be easily addressed by the tour guide.

While on the tour, maintain focus and be observant. Along with trusting your own gut feeling, some things to look for are listed below.

• Staff Friendliness €“ Is the staff kind and considerate to residents? Are they quick to address needs and do so with a happy, helpful demeanor?
• Engaged Residents €“ Are the residents engaged in activity? Do they appear neglected? Do they seem happy and content?
• Cleanliness €“ Inside and out, a facility should not have noticeable signs of deterioration, foul odors or stains. The grounds should be well-manicured and restrooms, dining hall and commons areas should be clean and welcoming.
• Safety Measures €“ If an emergency were to happen, are exits clearly marked? Do you see safety features like Look grip bars, call buttons or overhead sprinklers.

How Do I Make the Right Choice?

A lot goes into deciding what is best for your loved one. With so many questions to consider and to-dos to check off, A Place for Mom Advisors strive to alleviate some of that stress so you can focus on ensuring you and your family find the perfect long-term care option.

Making the right choice means letting go of your preferences and truly understanding what your loved one desires. If a community has activities you would enjoy but your parent has no interest in, it may not be the right place. With many choices in our network, you don€™t have to worry about settling between limited options. Understanding what a loved one€™s current and future needs is also an important factor. Signs of cognitive issues or additional medication may mean additional care is needed down the road. Our Advisors can help you find the right facility for those changing needs.

Whether you are bringing your loved to you near Kitchener or they live in the area and want to stay, its€™s important to have a discussion to ensure they live where they are most comfortable. While you may want to have a loved one close, their comfort and happiness needs to be considered first. Our local Advisors have area expertise to make navigating the Kitchener options easier.