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Retirement Homes in Carleton Place

The complete guide to finding a retirement community in the Carleton Place region

Carleton Place, a vibrant Canadian town just west of Ottawa, is home to approximately 10,000 residents, 2,000 of which are seniors. The town’s recreation and atmosphere is characterized by its scenic location along Ontario’s Mississippi River, and its many historic buildings. This active community is a great place to retire, not just for its lively sports and recreation scene, but also because it boasts one of Ontario’s most efficient health care centres and a number of excellent retirement homes that offer a continuum of care.

Types of retirement living available in Carleton Place

Most of the retirement homes in Carleton Place offer a continuum of care, which includes the independent living and assisted living options pictured on the spectrum of care below. This type of retirement living allows residents to customize their care, housekeeping and meal options while remaining as independent as they like. Seniors find that the greatest advantages of aging in place include not having to go through the stress of moving and remaining in a familiar community as their needs change.

Long-term care and memory care is also available in Carleton Place. Homes that provide memory care offer a more comprehensive level of care to seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s and advanced stages of Dementia. Seniors in long-term care can receive special therapies, memory care, and 24 hour nursing administered by personal support workers and health care professionals.

Read a full list of retirement home reviews in Ottawa and area, before you commit to senior care in Carleton Place.

How much do retirement homes in Carleton Place cost?

The monthly cost of living in a retirement home in Carleton Place will vary with the lifestyle and care you or your loved one(s) choose(s). The average cost of a retirement home in Ontario is approximately $3,200 per month, but additional costs can come from meal plans, foot care, additional personal care and medication assistance. Fortunately, retirement homes can help seniors and their families navigate the options available to them and plan ahead so that their wants and care needs will continue to be met. Long-term care homes, which are funded by the government of Ontario, have their rates for basic accommodation set by the province. Your local Community Care Access Centre can help you and your loved one(s) find placement in a long-term care home near you, and provide more detailed cost information. Some residents of long-term care homes living in basic accommodations and who have an annual income below $21,000 may also be eligible for a rate reduction. The Ontario government can also provide assistance when it comes to home care costs 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.

Medical and safety services

Good retirement homes are mandated to provide their residents with every opportunity to stay healthy in a medical, physical and emotional capacity. Modern residences no longer need to outsource most of their health care to third parties and employ health teams made up of doctors, registered nurses, dieticians, activity co-ordinators and personal support workers to administer preventative health care.

Some of the health care services retirement communities provide include:

• An on-site doctor, or a doctor who visits residents on a regular basis
• On-site nursing staff, often available 24/7
• An on-site pharmacy and medication assistance services
• Exercise programs with access to a personal trainer
• Physiotherapy
• Preventative wellness programs
• Recuperative programs
• Assistance with daily living activities including bathing, dressing, nutrition and mobility
• Assistance with lifestyle maintenance including outings, social engagements and pet care
• Continence management programs
• Palliative care services

In the interest of providing holistic health care, well-run retirement communities ensure that the meals served are both healthy and delicious. Residents can often also have their meals tailored to health and faith-based needs, and can make special requests for snacks during the day or before bed to regulate blood sugar and make it easier to fall asleep. Senior safety is a priority for retirement communities from independent living through long-term car. Carleton Place’s residences have emergency call services installed or provide residents with safety pendants which can be worn at all times and used to call staff in case of an emergency. Additional safety measures include three-piece bathrooms, no-slip floors and night lighting. Communities that house patients with Alzheimer’s and Dementia also offer secure floors and overnight monitoring to ensure resident safety.

In the event of an emergency, the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) is less than a 10 minute drive from anywhere in the town. The hospital has a higher patient satisfaction than the provincial average and, according to the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, the CPDMH continues to be one of the most efficient hospitals in Ontario. Although many specialized health care services can be found in retirement homes, several independent chiropractic care, massage therapy, foot care and physiotherapy clinics as well as optometry and dental care clinics are located directly in the town. The Alzheimer’s society of Lanark county, which provides support to seniors with Alzheimer’s and Dementia and their families, is also only a 30 minute drive from the town, and runs Adult Day programs in Carleton Place on Thursdays and Fridays (as of Fall 2014).

Seniors living at home and their families can take advantage of the health care services mentioned above, as well as the support of several private companies and non-profit organizations, which offer home health care, home maintenance, companionship, meal delivery and referral programs. Many retirement homes also offer overnight respite and short term stays to seniors depending on vacancy.

Recreation and social activities for seniors

Carleton Place is a vibrant community with a 5-bloom standing with the Communities in Bloom initiative and a wealth of sports clubs, arts and culture. The town’s close proximity to Ottawa also renders seniors living in Carleton Place close to one of Canada’s most well known artistic and cultural centres. However, the social focus of retirement living means seniors living in retirement communities don’t need to look as far as Ottawa to keep active, engaged and creative. As a small Ontario town, Carleton Place is still in touch with its rural roots and its heritage, and seniors and their families can enjoy farmers markets with fresh regional produce, the annual heritage ball and sheep shearing and wine testing festivals. The newly dubbed destination square in the centre of old downtown is a beautiful introduction to the historic buildings found in Carleton place. Seniors and their families and friends can join in with the tourists and enjoy self-guided walking tours around the town to all of its historic buildings. In addition to scenic architecture, Carleton Place’s downtown area also boasts fine dining, artisan shops and brand name shopping.

Carleton Place also received a 5-bloom rating from the Communities in Bloom program, a non-profit organization which encourages Canadian towns and cities to keep their communities green, sustainable, and beautiful. All of Carleton Place’s residents are encouraged to commit to keeping their own gardens beautiful and volunteers are always needed to keep the town’s green spaces in bloom, so seniors with a passion for gardening can help contribute to this initiative while enjoying a favourite hobby. The community of Carleton Place is an active one; the Canoe club, the Mississippi Square Dancing Club, and the Curling Club make up only a few of the town’s many sports clubs. Seniors have the opportunity to stay active by engaging in any of the town’s sports clubs and exploring the beautiful trails and parks in the region. The 7km Carleton Place Trailway, for example is a section of the Trans Canada Trail which is popular with active seniors. The Mississippi River is one of the town’s greatest attractions, and serves as the setting for water sports and an annual dragon boat competition and the backdrop to old downtown and riverside park and beach.

The retirement homes in Carleton place are nestled within a community of historic architecture and beautiful scenery. Some of the town’s residences are located right by the waterfront, and offer suites overlooking the Mississippi River. Retirement homes help their residents take advantage of the natural setting around them, and often organize walking tours and day-trips, but also offer many recreational activities within their facilities, most often organized by an activity director.

Some of the activities and events that can be found in Carleton Place’s retirement homes include:

• Fitness and gentle exercise classes
• Yoga and zumba
• Tai chi
• Aquafit and swimming
• Billiards
• Line dancing
• Residence parties
• Shuffleboard
• Painting and art classes
• Concerts
• Theatre performances
• Golf and minigolf
• Movie nights
• Card games and tournaments
• Volunteer opportunities

Seniors in Carleton Place, whether living in retirement homes or at home, can also engage in community centre and library programs. The Carleton Place library makes an effort to be fully accessible. It is entirely on one level for wheelchair access, and talking books and home delivery services are offered to the homebound and seeing impaired. The Library also hosts craft nights, a novel writing challenge and a monthly book club open to all ages. The Carambeck Community Centre runs several programs for the older adult community, including line dancing lessons, chair exercises, craft sales and the Get W.I.T.H It! walk in the halls program, which encourages adults to stay active in the colder months. Older adults with an artistic streak can continue to engage in creative outlets throughout their retirement in Carleton Place. The Mississippi MUDDs (Music, Dance and Drama on Stage) are a community theatre group that has been around for 35 years and performs at the Carleton Place Town Hall and the Carleton Place and District Community Band which consists of about 30 members are two of the volunteer arts associations in the town which encourage anyone, from student to senior, to get involved. The Nation’s Capital, Ottawa, is only a 40-minute drive away. Ottawa’s abundance of museums, theatres and art galleries, and the famous Winterlude festival make for many interesting excursions for seniors and their families.

Getting around Carleton Place

The easiest ways to get around Carleton Place are on foot and by car. Active seniors will find that the town, which is only several kilometres across, has shopping and basic amenities within walking distance from all retirement homes and residential areas. Parking is generally free at retirement homes to residents and their families. Unfortunately, Carleton Place has no public transit of its own, but two private companies provide transit between the town and the city of Ottawa. Most retirement communities have their own buses for group outings. Some retirement homes also provide transit to medical appointments, although this is often not the case. In the event that seniors need emergency transportation or transportation to medical appointments, Lanark transit acts as a 24 hour ambulance service and provides non-emergency transportation to and between hospitals.

Availability of retirement homes in Carleton Place

As the senior population continues to grow, so does the demand for retirement homes throughout the province. Although the vacancy rate for retirement suites in Ontario increased slightly over the 2014 year, it is still relatively low at 13.9 percent. This means that you or your loved one may have to spend time on a wait list before moving into your chosen retirement home. Keep in mind that the following factors can often inform the length of wait times:

• Crisis placement (if someone’s safety poses immediate risk)
• Type of accommodation: basic, semi-private or private or secure floor (Private or semi-private are more expensive but have shorter wait-times)
• Gender
• Medical care needs i.e. tube-feeding
• Unit designation- secure, non- secure
   

Choosing a retirement community

Before you begin you begin your search for a retirement community, it is important to define your wants and needs and get your finances in order. Some families wait until a time of crisis before they consider a retirement home and begin the process. This can only add to stress and conflict in a difficult time. Whether you have been looking forward to retirement living or have not given it much thought, it is important to consider all your options. There are many questions you should ask yourself and your loved ones before you start your search. Where do you want to live? Who will you need to be close to? How many meals a day would you like to be served? What health services do you require? The most important four aspects to think about are the following:

• What do you need
• What do you want?
• What is your preferred location?
• What can you afford?

Use our retirement calculator to get a better idea of the kind of care you will be able to afford. You can also visit our page for seniors considering a retirement home for more questions to consider and the answers to think about. When you’ve answered the above questions, its time to start making a shortlist of retirement homes that meet your criteria and begin touring. Remember to ask questions during your tour. If you are unsure what to ask, download our free e-book on the ultimate retirement tour guide. Finding the right retirement home requires pre-planning, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Read our advice guide on choosing a retirement home for a more comprehensive guide to making a decision, or start your search today by using our advanced search or contacting the residences in Carleton Place and area shown above.

Carleton Place Retirement Community Regulations

When searching for a retirement home, it is important to make sure the communities you are considering are properly regulated. All of Ontario’s retirement homes are subject to regulations set by the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority and must maintain a high standard of safety and cleanliness in order to remain operational. Always make sure to check that the community you are considering has a good standing with the RHRA. The Long-Term Care Homes Act of 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. Industry experts also recommend checking if a retirement home is a member of an outside organization such as the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA). Membership in ORCA or any of the following trusted associations is a sign that a retirement community will be safe and well-managed:

• The Ontario Long-term Care Association (OLTCA)
• The Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA) 
• AdvantAge Ontario (formerly the Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors: OANHSS) 
• The Canadian Association of Retired People (CARP)