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Brampton retirement homes

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

Once known as the Flower Town of Canada, Brampton has grown from a small village of 500 residents to a bustling suburban GTA city with a population of over 600,000 (as of 2021) and a number of major industries including manufacturing and information and communication technologies. For those looking to retire in Brampton, the city offers plenty of active living opportunities and events, activities and community resources, including an Accessibility Advisory Committee, to ensure residents get the most out of the area where they live and explore. 

Independent living and assisted living are two of the common types of retirement residences found in Brampton, with many offering a continuum of care in which a resident may live in one type of suite for a period of time and then transition to another on the same property as their needs change. This allows these retirement communities to better accommodate the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs without disrupting their care. In addition, residents are able to maintain their social connections with peers and friends as well as continue to participate in activities and events, strengthening their connection to the community. 

Retirement community benefits, services and amenities

In Brampton retirement communities, residents and their families can rest assured that their residence cares about supporting and fulfilling their physical and intellectual needs as well as their emotional and social interests as well. This community atmosphere encourages seniors to get involved and share in their current hobbies as well as to branch out comfortably into new activities and experiences.

These communities endeavor to offer the necessary support services and attend to many medical needs in particular on site, however sometimes the level of care required is outside the scope of what can be provided, in which case the residence works alongside third party providers and extends access to nearby hospitals.

In Brampton, area hospitals and care centres include Brampton Civic Hospital and Health Plex Medical Centre. Brampton Civic Hospital offers clinics and outpatient services such as a Cardio-Respiratory Clinic and Diabetes Care, and also has a Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) designation committed to elder care excellence. Their inpatient services include a Geriatric Mental Health Unit and Acute Care of Elders Unit, while outpatient services include a Nurse-Led Outreach Team, Geriatric Outreach Team, and additional Seniors Outpatient Clinics. The Health Plex Medical Centre offers a walk-in clinic, family practice, dentist, pharmacy, optical centre and physiotherapy all under one roof.

Within Brampton retirement communities are a range of health and wellness programs, plus a nurse on site 24 hours a day and a doctor once a day/week or on call. Many residences also have wellness centres, fitness studios, exercise rooms, spa services, salons, indoor pools, and special features such as external security systems, call bell systems and emergency phone systems to ensure residents’ health and safety needs are being met at all times.

To help promote social and intellectual interests, these homes are also committed to providing and improving ongoing programs to inspire and engage. Continuing education programs, arts and crafts, community gardening, chapel/church services, learning centres, game rooms, and additional activities help promote a sense of community and growth as well as stimulating opportunities for residents to participate in at their leisure and a level that is comfortable for them. Mini-golf, Wii, party rooms, BBQs, family programs, and common rooms also contribute to a fun and engaging culture within the retirement community.

For seniors who are willing and able to get out and about, there are a host of recreational programs and activities to participate in with the wider community. The Knightsbridge Senior Centre offers bus trips, computer classes, line dancing, movie nights, tai chi, Gentle Yoga, choir, ceramics, and a number of other special events. There are also a wide range of area senior clubs with a full listing of activities and events provided on the City of Brampton’s website.

Those who enjoy a leisurely day of shopping can visit such malls as the Bramalea City Centre and Shoppers World Brampton, as well as flea markets like Fabulous Flea Market and 747 Flea Market. The Brampton Farmer’s Market is also open every Saturday mid-June through Thanksgiving with more than 90 vendors and additional weekly events.

More active seniors can explore the surrounding trails and conservation areas of Brampton by bike or walking trail, through over 850 parks, picnic areas and gardens. Your community of choice can help arrange transportation to these areas as well as other activities, pharmacies, appointments, day trips and local festivals and events and throughout the GTA.

Popular Brampton events include Shakespeare in the Square, Inspirational Music in the Park, Flower City Music Festival, Flower City Parade and Brampton Global Jazz and Blues Festival.

Brampton retirement community regulations

Overall, retirement communities in Ontario are mandated under the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority (RHRA), which required existing residences to become licensed as of July 3rd, 2012. This license requires homes to continuously undergo inspections by the RHRA and receive approval to operate.

Retirement homes in Brampton are members of provincial and national associations, including:

• The Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA)
• Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario (OACAO)
• The Canadian Association of Retired People (CARP)
• The Ontario Community Support Association
• The Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres (OACACC)
• Home Care Ontario
• The Ontario Long-term Care Association (OLTCA)
• AdvantAge Ontario (formerly the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors: OANHSS)

Availability of retirement homes in Brampton

According to the 2021 CMHC Seniors’ Housing Survey, Ontario saw an overall increase in vacancy rate to 19.6%, in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. In Peel Region alone, vacancy rates increased dramatically to 25.4%. There was a total of 3,495 rental units available for seniors in the Region.

How much does rent cost in a Brampton retirement home?

The average rent for a retirement home in Peel Region was $4,408, and the median rate was $4,351. Brampton senior living communities listed above start as low as $2,635 for a studio apartment in a building rife with amenities and social opportunities. Starting rates for memory care are as high as $4,495. Consult listings above for more details.

While some Brampton seniors still get sticker shock when they look at prices, many of them find this relaxing, even luxurious lifestyle very accessible thanks to the GTA real estate boom. Homes purchased many years—often decades—before often render over a million dollars in equity. Look at a typical scenario for a GTA senior here.

In order to afford retirement homes in Brampton, many seniors employ a combination of their pensions, RRSPs, CPP and other income to help pay the monthly fee while others add in the profit from the sale of their home. Learn more about funding options. Those in need of additional financial help can contact the Peel Region and inquire about their Application for Subsidized Housing.

Ontario’s Trillium Drug Program (TDP) can also provide assistance. The TDP helps people with high prescription drug costs relative to their household income and covers a number of approved drugs. Just about anyone who has an Ontario health card, lives in Ontario and is a senior over the age of 65 years of age can apply.

Other medical & safety services in Brampton

As part of their commitment to ensuring residents’ health and safety, retirement communities employ exterior security systems, call bell systems, and emergency phone systems to help their residents feel secure and confident. Many homes have an on-site doctor, or a doctor who visits residents on a regular basis or a doctor’s office on site. They may also offer dental care, as well as medication administration and supervision, occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreational therapy, or oxygen assistance.

Other medical programs may be available ranging from simple exercise programs, to intensive recuperative programs, to special dietary programs. One-on-one care may be available for hire when residents need medical care outside of what the retirement home can provide, or the local branch of Home and Community Care Support Services can sometimes help.

The Alzheimer’s Society Peel, Arthritis Society Halton-Peel, Canadian Mental Health Association Peel, and Seniors for Seniors are just a few examples of community organizations that not only offer additional information to seniors but help connect seniors to one another and causes that are close to their hearts.

Getting around Brampton

While retirement homes have pre-arranged transportation or are able to coordinate transportation for seniors, additional public transit is available for those seniors who may like to venture out on their own:

• Brampton Transit - $1 bus fare available to seniors who provide their Brampton Transit Senior Identification Card.
• GO Transit - gotransit.com/../tickettypes.aspx - 65 years or over - Senior single-ride fare is half the adult single-ride fare.
• Home care companies in Brampton: Transportation for all kinds of needs, plus in-home services if needed. Single events or regular schedule. Rates and service hours vary. 
• Taxi Services such as Brampton Taxi, Bram City Taxi, and a number of wheelchair accessible taxis are available.

How to choose a retirement home

When considering moving into a retirement home we understand that the process can often feel overwhelming. There are a lot of factors to think about; are you looking for a community close to family or somewhere new you can explore? What amenities are important to you? What facilities do you want to have closeby to fulfill your needs and interests?

We encourage you and your loved ones to determine what appeals most to you, what you believe you’ll be able to afford, and what will factor most in your decision.

If you’re still not sure whether it’s time to consider retirement try asking yourself the following questions:

• Do you want to stay active but be freed from housework or making meals?
• Is living independently becoming more difficult? Do you feel lonely or isolated?
• Is maintaining your current home becoming too onerous?
• Are you able to meet your personal care needs?
• Are daily tasks such as shopping and cooking becoming too much of a burden or would you rather have help?
• Are you worried about falling or becoming ill and not being able to get help?
• Do you want easier access to recreational and social activities?
• Do you want to live near others your age?

More common questions and concerns about retirement homes are available on our page for seniors considering a retirement home.

You’ll also want to make sure that the home you’re interested in can grow with your needs as your activity and medical levels change and that you may want to transition to assisted living or a long-term care. Does the retirement home you’re looking into have a continuum of care or will you need to move to a different community in the future?

Be sure to read our Brampton retirement home reviews before you commit to any senior care community in Brampton or Peel-Halton.

Remember that if you’re looking into long-term care you may be put on a waitlist. Home and Community Care Support Services experts advise that semi-private and private accommodations generally cost more but may have shorter wait times, and different factors may affect average wait times, such as the type of accommodation requested, if someone is in crisis, if there is an ethno-cultural preference, or if there are specific medical care needs. For more information on wait times, contact the designated associations mentioned above or the retirement community of your choice directly.

Still not sure if the retirement home you’re interested in is right for you?  Many communities will offer overnight stays to give you and your loved ones an opportunity to feel the firsthand experience of what the residence has to offer. Here you can ask questions, speak with current residents about their experiences there or simply take in the atmosphere. Is this a lifestyle environment where you would be happy? Can you picture yourself living there and do you feel that you will be taken care of? Is the staff warm and caring? If you’re looking for a loved one, do the above questions apply and do you feel that your loved one will be safe and well cared for?

For more points to consider, download the Ultimate Retirement Tour Checklist and be sure to take it with you during your visit to select retirement communities of your choosing.

Need some assistance figuring out if you can afford the type of community you’re interested in? Download the Retirement Calculator to help you compare your current costs of living with what it would be like to pay for that retirement home or any others you may be interested in.

Source: CMHC Seniors’ Housing Survey 2020-2021