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Ancaster retirement homes

The complete guide to finding a retirement community in the Ancaster region

Retirement homes in Ancaster offer a variety of care options – from independent living to long-term care, and the city has a number of affordable housing developments as well. Whatever accommodation works best for you and your family, retiring in Ancaster comes with the promise of a warm community and beautiful natural surroundings.

Types of senior care in Ancaster

Retirement in Ancaster can come in different shapes and sizes – from independent living on one end of the care spectrum to assisted living and long-term care on the other.

Independent and assisted living 

Most of the region’s retirement homes are independent and assisted living suites which can provide a degree of assistance to seniors as they require it. In these communities, life is made easier for residents through a variety of programs – such as specially prepared hot meals and housekeeping, and safety is always assured, but residents hold on to their independence. A focus is also placed on building community and keeping the mind and body active – facilities often include gyms, swimming pools and flexible meeting rooms and planned group outings are also common. 

Long-term care

Long time care homes in Ancaster offer much more extensive care options to seniors with more challenging needs and disabilities. From medication supervision to music therapy and 24 hour nursing, the staff of long-term care homes is specially trained to meet the care requirements of their residents. (Long-term care is also sometimes referred to as "extended," "nursing," or residential care.")

Read retirement home reviews for Hamilton and area before you commit to any retirement residence in Ancaster. 

Other options

Although Retirement homes in Ancaster are a great choice, many seniors decide to stay in a home of their own. For those looking to downsize into a home geared towards their current income, the surrounding area offers a number of subsidized housing complexes as well. 

How much does a retirement home in Ancaster cost?

Retirement costs in Ancaster are generally slightly higher than the provincial average of $3,200. However, the monthly rent of a retirement home depends greatly on the type of suite and level of care you choose. Suites can range anywhere from a monthly rate of  $3,000 to $4,800.  

Some of the most common ways of paying for retirement are through savings, pensions, the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Pension. The sale of the family home is also a good way to finance retirement costs. 

The Ontario government can also be helpful when it comes to additional expenses, such as home care or prescription expenses. Seniors with high prescription drug costs relative to their income may benefit from applying to the Trillium Drug Program. Seniors over the age of 65 who live in Ontario and have a valid Ontario health card are eligible for application. 

Health and safety services

A good retirement residence will have concrete strategies for maintaining and supporting the health and wellness of their residents.

At independent residences, this begins with nutrition and fitness. Dietary staff make sure meals are both healthy and delicious, and serve special meals to residents with any kind of dietary needs. Some communities offer snacks during the day and evening in addition to meals to help residents regulate blood sugar or sleep better at night. Residents are also given opportunities to stay phyically active -- either indirectly, through simply being socially active and /mobile, or directly, through special fitness classes and programs.

More comprehensive health teams and programs are found in assisted living communities. In Ancaster homes, registered nurses, regular doctors, personal support workers and health care and nurses aids can provide residents with the following services:

• 24/7 nursing care
• Medication assistance services
• Exercise programs with access to a personal trainer
• Physiotherapy
• Preventative wellness programs
• Recuperative programs
• Assistance with daily living activities
• Monitoring of blood pressure and blood sugar
• Foot care
• Therapy options e.g. Music and Aroma therapy
• Palliative care services
• Emotional, cognitive and social support

Long term-care offers all of the above, as well as more tailored care to those seniors with complex medical needs and/or advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and Dementia and more comprehensive assistance with daily activities, including:

• Assistance with walking
• Personal care with dressing, feeding and hygiene
• Pain and symptom management
• Advanced Alzheimer’s and Dementia therapy and care
• Continence care

In the interest of safety, emergency call services are present in the rooms of both assisted living and long-term care residences, and are often located in hallways as well for extra support. Three-piece bathrooms specially designed for seniors and no-slip floors are also installed in most suites to reduce the risk of falls. Those homes that assist patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia also offer secure floors and overnight monitoring to ensure resident safety. 

For health care services that are not provided in retirement homes, seniors don’t have far to go. A Community Care Accesses Centre, physiotherapy and message therapy, infection control, and the Alzheimer’s society are all located in Ancaster or close-by in Hamilton or Dundas. 

Ancaster and the city of Hamilton are also home to no less than four hospitals and a number of specialized health centres. These include the Juravinski Hospital, Hamilton General Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

A number of organizations in and around Ancaster, such as St. Joseph’s, can also provide home health-care ranging from meal delivery to help with housekeeping and medication management and assistance with bathing and walking. Recognizing that care-giver health is as important as the health of those they are taking care of, relief and support services are offered in the area, and overnight respite is available at most retirement residences. 

Recreation and social activities in Ancaster

There is no shortage of activities for seniors who wish to be active, social and involved in the community. Ancaster has a number of shopping centres, libraries, community centres and restaurants within walking distance of most areas in the city. The Ancaster Seniors Centre offers many recreational programs, from potlucks to golf scrambles. 

Many of the most popular activities in Ancaster are outdoors. The nearby Bruce Trail can give residents a new appreciation of all of Canada’s beautiful seasons. Some retirement residences offer walking clinics for residents – scheduled outings for hikes in the forest where seniors can enjoy the fresh air and an active lifestyle while learning about their surroundings, and stay safe. 

In town, beautiful Victorian architecture and flower gardens are hard to miss when going for a walk to the grocery store or a bike ride through the park. 

Special discounts are extended to seniors by many different vendors - both local and cross-Canada. Retirement residences often keep an eye on these Senior’s days and promotions and organize shopping trips by bus for groups of interested residents. 

Unique to the region are the rich farmer’s markets, full of Niagara escarpment produce, and the wine tours popular with the over 55 crowd. The fall fair and heritage day are some of the most beloved festivals in the Ancaster area. Visit the Ancaster website for a full list of events.

Ancaster also has a lively arts scene – both in the city and inside retirement residences. Art galleries and theatres can be found all around the town, and excursions to the local community theatre organized by one of Ancaster’s retirement communities are a favourite with residents. Concerts and performances are also organized inside retirement homes, and are not only preformed by volunteers. Residents themselves drive the creative spirit of the community. One well-known Ancaster centenarian still leads his friends in ballads on the organ in the local pub.

Getting around Ancaster for seniors

Many of the recreational activities and amenities in Ancaster are within walking distance of seniors, but public transit
is also available in the region. Those living in retirement residences also have access to special buses and reserved parking is available at no cost for residents who drive. 

Choosing a retirement community

When making your retirement plans, it is important to consider all your options. Whether you’ve thought about moving to a retirement community or plan to stay at home, taking steps to inform yourself about which retirement residence is right for you is always a good idea. Many seniors and their families wait until a time of crisis until they begin to consider retirement homes, which can limit your options and increase stress. 

Choosing a retirement home is a process that requires thought and pre-planning, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. You can watch the video below to learn more about how to make the right choice:

How to Choose a Retirement Community from Comfort Life on Vimeo.

For more points to consider and some common questions and concerns about retirement homes, please visit our page for seniors considering a retirement home.

Use our retirement calculator to get an idea of what you’ll be able to afford in your retirement.

Use our advanced search to create a shortlist and arrange meetings and tours with the staff. Remember to ask about overnight stays - some will let seniors stay overnight in a guest suite to get a better idea of what it’s like to live in the community.

Download our eBook on the ultimate retirement tour guide for more information, or contact the residences above to get started with your search.

Ancaster retirement home regulations

When searching for a retirement home, your own health and safety or that of your loved one should be your first priority. In order to ensure a high standard of care, always make sure to check a home’s standing with the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority (RHRA). In Ontario, all retirement residences must undergo ongoing inspections by the RHRA in order to remain operational. 

Checking a retirement residence’s accreditations is also an important step. Industry experts recommend looking for a retirement community that is a member of the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA)  or one of a number of trusted organizations, such as The Canadian Association of Retired People (CARP) or the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA). Many of the residences in Ancaster and the surrounding area are members of these organizations. 

In addition to accreditations and the regulations set by the RHRA, the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 governs all long-term care homes in Ontario. The act requires residences to provide safe, consistent and high-quality resident-centred care and makes sure residents feel at home, are treated with dignity and respect, and have the health care services they need available to them.