Assisted Living near Hamilton, ON

Assisted Living in Hamilton, ON

Statistics show that the fastest growing age group in Canada is the 65 and over group, which means more seniors need some sort of assisted living situation than generations past. As seniors age, there is a lot they have to deal with, and sometimes they need help. When that time comes, you have a few options for your loved one. Depending on the level of assistance and care they need, you can choose home health care, assisted living, or nursing home care. Nursing homes and home health care are the most expensive options, and many seniors don't even need that level of care. The assisted living option is a nice blend between home health care and nursing homes, and it's less expensive than the others.

More about Hamilton

Hamilton is an amalgamation of several smaller villages and towns to create one big city with about 500,000 people. There are very nice parts of the city, and there are some not so nice parts of the city. However, the residents of the city love it for its beautiful skylines, its broad sweeps of water, and its lower rent. The one downside to Hamilton is that it's a city dedicated to the manufacture of steel, so there's a distinct odor that hovers over the city as a result. It's not ideal, but the other parts of the city make up for the bad.

Picking the Right Assisted Living Community

Hamilton is a large city, and there are many options for those who wish to reside in the area. Start by researching the available information online to create a list of communities you and your loved one might agree on. Next, schedule a tour for each of the communities on your list. There are a few questions you should ask when you visit each community. These include:

• How much freedom do the residents really have?
• What are the community's policies? For example, what are visiting hours? Can residents smoke on the grounds? Are pets allowed?
• What are the safety measures taken?
• What is the procedure when an emergency occurs?
• What is the discharge policy?

Asking the hard questions gives you an idea of what the community is like, and how management reacts to those questions will tell you if the staff is easy to work with. Also, pay attention to how the residents and staff interact as this will also let you know if the community is the right place for your loved one.

Paying for Assisted Living

It is important for families to have a realistic idea of what assisted living costs. In Hamilton, the average monthly cost ranges from $1,500 to $3,500, depending on the amenities and the level of care you choose. It's important to keep in mind that just because a facility has all the luxury bells and whistles, that doesn't mean it has the level of care you need, so be sure you're looking into both. But, if you and your family haven't planned for assisted living expenses, that amount can take you by surprise and cause a bit of panic. The good news is that seniors have several options when it comes to paying for care. One of the best options is long-term care insurance. Most insurance companies won't ensure your loved one if they have a preexisting condition, so it's important to start planning early. However, other options include a reverse mortgage and government resources. As a last resort, you can consider paying out of pocket, but it's recommended that you exhaust other avenues first.

Assuming that you figure out the financial piece, finding the right assisted living community can be a good thing for everyone involved. It gives aging seniors the care and stability they need, and provides family members with peace of mind about the comfort of their loved ones. Although many seniors want to remain in their own homes, or stay with relatives, it's not always the best thing for them. When that's the case, looking into assisted living can be an option that works for everyone.