Whether you are making plans for your own retirement years down the road or looking for a home for your aging parents/relative, it pays to have a plan to find the best retirement home in Ottawa for your needs. There are a number of key considerations that you should factor in before making this decision. These are the most important ones that we have identified:
Location
Whether your loved one moves to move to a completely new area or remains in a familiar community, you will want to make sure that the facility you are considering for them offers nearby access to the services they need. It is also important to understand that many aging individuals can feel disoriented when moved away from a community that they are familiar with.
Levels of Care
The reality is that aging relatives need different levels of care, so you need to make sure that the senior living community you choose is able to cater to all of their needs. When considering the right retirement home take into consideration whether in the coming years your loved one might need increased levels of care. If so then look for a facility that will be able to accommodate those needs later down the road, to avoid having to move them to an unfamiliar setting when they need more care. If levels of care are your top priority, then it is highly recommended that you choose a nursing home for your loved one where nursing care and all levels of support are available.
Community Size
Don’t forget to consider the number of people the senior living community in Ottawa serves. Communities with many residents usually provide more entertainment and host more activities than smaller communities. However, a smaller senior living community might give your aging relative the opportunity to make friends more easily.
Reputation
Carefully evaluate the community’s reputation. Be sure to check our reviews along with with local government reviews as well as Better Business Bureau to research reported problems or complaints at any facility you are considering. Another way to check the reputation of a retirement community is by talking with people who live in the area or even existing residents.
Costs
The costs alone shouldn’t be the deciding factor when choosing a retirement home in Ottawa. It is important to compare the retirement communities in Ottawa and what they have to offer, more expensive does not always mean better as it all depends on the needs of your aging relative. One should also compare between at home care and a retirement community, as often times when all costs are taken into consideration a retirement home in Ottawa can be more accessible.
Years in Operation
While looking at the number of years a community has been in operation isn’t a deciding factor in and of itself, senior care homes that have been in business longer generally have more established reputation. A senior home that has been around for many years has proved their ability to properly care and look after their aging community.
Financial Stability
Be sure to research the financial stability of the senior living community. A facility that has financial issues, e.g. large amount of debt, etc., could unexpectedly close their doors, leaving your aging relative without a place to call home.
