{"id":5634,"date":"2026-06-04T15:38:57","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T15:38:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ckcaproddev.wpenginepowered.com\/yorkregionsouth\/?p=5634"},"modified":"2026-06-04T15:38:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T15:38:57","slug":"housing-options-for-seniors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comfortkeepers.ca\/yorkregionsouth\/blog\/housing-options-for-seniors\/","title":{"rendered":"Housing Options for Seniors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Seniors and their families have a wide variety of housing options to consider depending on the senior\u2019s health status, mobility and need for care.\u00a0 In this article, Comfort Keepers\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0explores senior housing options: from staying in the comfort of their own home to moving to a Long Term Care Home.<\/p>\n

Home Care Services<\/h3>\n

If a senior\u2019s medical needs are minimal and the senior\u2019s primary need is assistance with activities of daily living, home is a good option. There are various types of support services needed to promote independent living.
\nIf help is needed in assessing a family member\u2019s care needs, a\u00a0geriatrics care manager<\/a>\u00a0can help. Or call on Comfort Keepers. Our Client Care\u00a0 Managers will provide in-home assessments to determine care needs.<\/p>\n

In-home service options range from offerings like home-delivered meals or transportation to personal care, companionship and homemaking care to nursing care.<\/p>\n

While staying at home can be less expensive than living in a senior community, modifications may need to be made to the home to accommodate the changing needs of the senior (see \u201cAdapting Homes to Seniors\u2019 Changing Needs\u201d at the end of this article).<\/p>\n

Senior Housing<\/h3>\n

These are apartments or condominiums exclusively for people age 55 and over who can live independently. Services vary from site to site but generally do not provide meals or personal care services. However, they often provide social activities or transportation to movies, sports events and other social opportunities.<\/p>\n

Independent Living Communities<\/h3>\n

As the term implies, these communities, which consist of maintenance-free homes or apartments are designed for independent, active seniors. Residents furnish the homes or apartments themselves. The communities generally offer 24-hour security, community centers, fitness centers and\/or pools, and other types of services.<\/p>\n

Independent living communities generally do not have 24-hour health care support, but such services may be purchased separately from outside sources or the community itself. Some include daily check-ins, while other communities charge for daily check-ins as an extra service.<\/p>\n

Retirement Residences<\/h3>\n

Residents of retirement residences do not require the skilled medical services of a nursing home yet have difficulty living independently and don\u2019t have the support they need to live at home. Retirement residences often provide three meals a day in a common dining room in addition to assistance with activities as housekeeping, laundry, dressing, bathing, and managing medications, and 24-hour security and staff availability.<\/p>\n

They also provide access to health and medical services, as well as medical supervision or assistance. Transportation may be included in the fee.<\/p>\n

Long Term Care Homes (Nursing Homes)<\/h3>\n

Long Term Care Homes are designed for people who require nursing\u00a0 care; personal care services, such as help with dressing, bathing, eating, and toileting; physical, occupational and speech therapy; social activities; and supervision within a secure setting on a 24 hour basis.\u00a0 Three meals a day are served in the dining room or the senior\u2019s room. In some provinces eligibility for a long term care home is determined by the government<\/p>\n

Alzheimer\u2019s\/Memory Care<\/h3>\n

These sites may be dedicated units in retirement residences, Long Term Care Homes, or they may stand alone. In any case, they meet the special needs of persons with Alzheimer\u2019s disease and other dementia-related conditions.<\/p>\n

They are staffed and designed to provide 24-hour security and care for persons at all stages of dementia. They provide nursing care as well as therapy and activities that promote the quality of life of persons with dementia.<\/p>\n

Some in-home care providers, such as Comfort Keepers, also provide Alzheimer\u2019s and memory care services as well as in-home technology solutions that enable persons with dementia to continue living at home.<\/p>\n

Learn more about Comfort Keepers Alzheimer\u2019s care here.<\/a>
\nLearn more about Comfort Keepers technology solutions here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Hospice Care<\/h3>\n

Hospice care for persons diagnosed with a terminal illness may be provided at home, in a Long Term Care Home, and in a Hospice Facility.\u00a0 Hospice includes medical and nursing care, as well as therapy, emotional, spiritual and bereavement support.\u00a0 Comfort Keepers works in partnership with hospice care providers to offer supportive in-home care services for persons receiving hospice care and their families.<\/p>\n

Learn more about Comfort Keepers End-of-Life Care here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Adapting Homes to Seniors\u2019 Changing Needs<\/h3>\n

More Canadians are choosing to \u201cage in place.\u201d That is, they opt to stay in their homes rather than move to alternative retirement settings.<\/p>\n

But that often means they must modify their homes so it\u2019s not a danger to their safety and health when their physical abilities change.<\/p>\n

A new career field has risen to address this need: the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), a program of theNational Association of Home Builders<\/a>\u00a0(www.nahb.org). CAPS certified specialists assess homes to identify and recommend modifications to prevent injuries from falls and other risks.<\/p>\n

According Veteran Affairs Canada, one third of Canadians age 65 and over fall each year. Veteran Affairs Canada adds that environmental factors lead to about half of all falls that occur at home. These include slipping and tripping hazards, poor lighting, or lack of needed modifications, such as bathroom grab bars, handicapped showers, stair railings and ramps. For more information see the\u00a0Veteran Affairs website<\/a>\u00a0on their falls prevention initiative.<\/p>\n

Home modifications help seniors maintain quality of life by preventing injuries and loss of independence from early admission to an assisted living or long-term care community.<\/p>\n