Assisted Living near Guelph, ON

Assisted Living in Guelph, ON

There comes a point in just about every senior's life where they need a little more help taking care of their daily activities than they might like to admit. Activities that most people take for granted – such as showering or dressing – become more difficult as seniors get weaker. When that time comes for your loved one, you'll have to decide if you can take them in and help them yourself, or if you'll have to consider some sort of senior care. Whatever the option you choose, your loved one needs to be comfortable with that decision, as well. Sit down and discuss it with them, and keep in mind that senior care, such as assisted living, doesn't mean that your loved one is being institutionalized. Assisted living can change your loved one's life for the better, you just have to find the right community.

Living in Guelph

Guelph is only 45 minutes away from Toronto, so the good news is that even if you can't find something in Guelph, you're not far from a bigger city. That said, Guelph can hold its own. On the small-town front, Guelph has a low crime rate, a low unemployment rate, and as one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, it has a high standard of living. The people are friendly, there is lots to see and do around town, and it's small enough to still be peaceful. Seniors will have every opportunity to live a high-quality life in Guelph.

Benefits of an Assisted Living Community

There are many benefits to assisted living, including assistance with daily activities, a social environment, housekeeping, food service, health care service, and access to other resources. There may come a time when your loved one needs help with their daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. When that time comes, an assisted living community can help residents manage these tasks and more. Assisted living also provides seniors with a built-in social network of their peers. Through activities and day trips to surrounding attractions, seniors can make new friends and socialize to keep them engaged. Housekeeping is often an issue for seniors as they get older, as is cooking. The good news is that the staff of an assisted living facility will take care of those chores for your loved one. It's important to find a community with the ability to provide fresh foods, a varied menu, and any dietary restrictions your loved one may need. Health care services are an important benefit for seniors, especially those who have experienced medical issues such as Alzheimer's. Many assisted living facilities are dedicated to helping patients who need memory care, and the skilled staff are well-versed on how to manage those particular needs. If your loved one is ready for assisted living care, going over the benefits can help them feel more comfortable with what needs to be done.

Paying for Assisted Living

The average cost of assisted living ranges from $1,800 to $3,500 a month, depending on the features and amenities of a community that you choose. Obviously, higher end communities that have luxury services such as spas, spacious apartments, and more frequent activities will cost more. However, just because a facility is billed as a luxury facility does not mean that it's right for your loved one. Make sure you know what they want before you attempt to make payment arrangements for a community they don't want to live in. As for payment options, families have several. There is always the option to pay out of pocket, but it isn't the most recommended choice. It's far better to use a combination of the other options to help pay for care. Families who planned ahead may have access to long-term care insurance, which is one of the best ways to pay for assisted living. Following that, seniors can use a combination of the monthly pension plan and income from a reverse mortgage to pay for their care. The downside to a reverse mortgage, though, is the fact that your loved one's house is essentially sold back to the bank. You can also check with the community's program director to see if there are other options for which your loved one might qualify.

Assisted living is a great way to help aging loved ones receive the help and care they need, and still keep them close enough to visit whenever you want. Although you might wish to take care of your loved one yourself, you also have to consider your own life and responsibilities, and sometimes that doesn't leave a lot of time to provide for your loved one's needs. Moving a loved one to an assisted living community has a ton of benefits, and it may make the most sense for their care.