Lifestyle
New senior housing not 'old folks' homes HORIZONS
BY HEATHER CAMPBELL
Fall 2010 |
A big double swing that seats four creaks as the occupants sway back and forth. Behind this little gathering, there are well landscaped lawns. Flower gardens in full bloom offer an aromatic scent to welcome visitors to the Red Oaks Villa, a retirement building for older adults.
As baby boomers approach their retirement years, the housing options in Sudbury continue to grow to meet the demands of today and tomorrow. Retirement living communities are opening up around the city. Buildings range from full-price condominiums to socially funded assisted living facilities.
At Red Oaks Villa, residents range in age between 65 and 98, and they live independently in their own suites, yet have access to personal services such as regular housekeeping, meals and personal support workers. The villa was reconstructed in the original St. Joseph's Hospital building on Ste. Anne Rd. in downtown Sudbury.
Four years ago, Ernest Belanger, 85, and his wife decided to take it easy and moved into Red Oaks Villa. “We saw the ad in the newspaper, thought this would be good for us,” he says. “We could live like a king and queen!” They enjoy living close to downtown shopping and services. Living in a retirement living building removes the pressure of maintaining their own home.
Belanger says the people are nice, the food is good, and the residence is kept very clean.
Red Oaks is ideal for the couple as they are in good health and were able to make the decision to move from their own home without much stress. In some cases, it can be very difficult for people to leave their cherished homes and possessions.
“Often, new residents are hesitant to change, but many times they discover they know people already living here,” says Vicky Schryer, manager for Red Oaks Villa. The social aspects of retirement living are significant. Staff go to great lengths to accommodate residents, and there is an abundance of time available for socializing and favourite hobbies. Movies, card games, and pet therapy are a few of the regular activities.
The monthly cost ranges from $2,000 to $3,000 in a place such as Red Oaks Villa. The villa is managed by Autumnwood Mature Lifestyle Communities, based in Sudbury, which also manages Breezes on Regent St. and Marina Point in North Bay.
Red Oak Villa services include three daily meals with beverages and snacks available 24 hours, around-the-clock supervision, emergency response by trained staff, medication administration, and weekly laundering of residence linens.
At Westmount Retirement Residence in New Sudbury, the residents and staff are like one big family.
“We are here to help prolong life and assist our residents so they continue to be independent,” says Daniella Robinson, community relations manager.
Robinson notices that older adults are often reluctant to make the big decision to move to assisted living. “The number one reason people are not ready to make a decision to move to retirement living is they have it confused with a nursing home,” says Robinson. “The decision is about health and safety matters and the social aspect like being isolated in the winter.”
The 25 staff members at Westmount Retirement Residence are committed to do whatever it takes for residents to remain independent, says Robinson.
Services include health-care monitoring, 24-hour security monitoring, concierge services, unlimited access to recreation, leisure, social arts, entertainment and fitness programs, transportation for shopping, and weekly housekeeping. Residents enjoy three meals in the dining room daily.
Westmount is a Chartwell Senior Housing property, one of about 240 in Canada and the United States. These include Meadowbrook Retirement Village in Lively and Southwind Retirement Village on Paris St. in Sudbury.
Finlandia Village is a bit different than other retirement options in the city. Located on Fourth Ave, this is a small village for older adults with 300 residents and 200 staff members.
Finlandia began in 1982 when several Finnish community members wanted seniors housing. They started with an apartment building in 1985.
Today, they offer several different housing and care options on this large piece of land nestled in the natural surroundings of the Minnow Lake area. It is built on a campus model with four levels of housing options that provide for complete independence to long-term care. “We have another 25 years of building and expanding,” says executive director, David Munch as he holds out a schematic of current buildings and proposed new buildings.
“Fifty to 60 percent of our residents have a Finnish background, but we see more of a multicultural mix.”
The village complex has beautiful walking trails and garden boxes. This retirement living option provides a comfortable place where someone could transition throughout the aging years with appropriate assistance along the way.
Family members are often very involved in the process of deciding when mom and dad move out of their own homes.
“I don’t really want to institutionalize mom, much rather keep her at home as long as possible,” says Paul Pasanen. At 86, Vieno Pasanen does not want to move from her present living situation.
However, with the onset of Alzheimer's disease and other physical ailments, she will soon need to receive more attention than her son can provide.
Pasanen’s mother is Finnish and on the waiting list to join family and friends in Finlandia Village.
“I don’t want her to be afraid and in an unknown environment,” says Pasanen. This is a common concern for family members, but he appreciates the good care and attention she will receive from staff.
