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Mississauga retirement homes

A guide to finding the right community and care in Mississauga

Nestled in and around Mississauga are a number of reputable retirement communities, giving families quite a bit of choice when it comes to senior care.

This is your guide to finding the right community and care in Mississauga.

Types of senior care in Mississauga

Retirement homes in Mississauga offer graded levels of care to meet the varying health needs and living styles of seniors. Most homes will use a common language to describe these different levels.

Starting with the most hands-off care and proceeding to the most hands-on, the different levels are: "active adult living" (sometimes called "55-plus living"); "indendent living"; "assisted living"; and "long-term care" (sometimes referring to "nursing" care or "nursing homes").

Some homes will specialize in only one of these care levels -- say, a community that only caters to active adults, or only caters to seniors with health needs that aren't serious (assisted living). Residents benefit from having the whole staff 100% dedicated to servicing their level of needs. They might also prefer a more homogenous environment where fellow residents are similarly active and able.

Other communities offer a "continuum" of care, which means the same residence caters to seniors of varying needs. These allow for healthy, independent residents to live in an independent suite and, as their health changes, move to an assisted living suite in the same community. Seniors can thus ensure their changing health needs are addressed while remaining within a familiar community of friends. The phrase "nursing homes" is no longer used, in favor of other terms that speak more so to the wealth and depth of care offered in these homes, incorporating medicine, technology, occupational and experimental therapies, and much more. 

For a more detailed look at the different levels of care, including advice on determining the level you should look for, see our hub on the topic here. 

Independent living and assisted living communities are the most common type of retirement home in Mississauga.

For families of those suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias, there are respite care options in Mississauga. Some families of those with this and other terminal diagnoses might consider the advantages of palliative care in a care home. 

Cost and availability of retirement homes in Mississauga

In 2021, the average rent in Ontario seniors' housing grew by less than 1% to $3,236 a month. One and two-bedroom suites were in greatest demand. In Mississauga and Peel Region, the average rent for a retirement home was $4,408, and the median rate was $4,351. Mississauga senior living communities listed above start as low as $3,400 for a seniors apartment in a building where you’ll have an active social life, surrounded by senior peers. Starting rates for memory care are as high as $4,495. Consult listings above for more details.

In 2021, there were approximately 67,399 senior housing units available in Ontario (CMHC Seniors’ Housing Survey 2021). In Peel Region, there were 3,495 total units with vacancy rates at a long-time high of 25.4%, attributable to the COVID-19 crisis. In 2020, vacancies were at 15.7%, a rate to which the region’s communities should soon return.

Note that renting is only one way to finance a retirement home suite, (though it's the most common way). Other options include buying and life-leasing. Some communities offer different financing options, but most are built around a single financing type, (which is usually renting).

To help pay for retirement homes, most seniors use pensions, RRSPs, CPP and other income like the sale of their home. Many seniors now find the luxurious lifestyle of communities much more accessible thanks to the GTA real estate boom. Homes purchased years or decades before gnerate over a million dollars in equity. Look at a typical scenario for a GTA senior here. 

Medical and safety services at Mississauga homes

A core benefit of retirement home life is the added health and safety services—no matter what the care type of the suite/home.

However, different homes will offer different health amenities. When looking into communities, ask if any of the following are included in the rental cost or living package you chose:

• An on-site doctor, or a doctor who visits residents on a regular basis 
• On-site nursing staff 
• An on-site pharmacy 
• Exercise programs with access to a personal trainer
• Physiotherapy
• Recuperative programs
• Dietary programs

Mississauga homes often include 24 hour nursing care and doctor visits once or twice a week. Other services may include ongoing medical supervision and administration, oxygen assistance, physical therapy, or various (more tailored) care packages.

On the preventative end, many retirement homes in Mississauga also have wellness programs focused on keeping seniors strong and healthy. These programs may include full access to a nursing team, physiotherapist and personal trainer who work one-on-one with residents to maintain and develop their balance, core, cardio and strength. 

Outside care

Residents needing care outside the scope of what the retirement home can offer may hire home care or another form of one-on-one care; sometimes a CCAC will pick up the tab for this extra service.

Two of the area's largest and most advanced hospitals, Credit Valley Hospital and Trillium Health Centre, also offer a range of outpatient programs and clinics with the referral of a physician.

A number of additional health, support and safety services are available through organizations like the Public Health Agency of Canada Aging & Seniors, the Region of Peel Health Services, the Cardiac Care Network, and Assistive Devices Program. The Alzheimer Society of Peel, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Peel Senior Link, and the Ontario Drug Benefit Program also provide information and resources for seniors in the area. 

Retirement communities will arrange for access to additional health and safety services as needed.

As for safety, most Mississauga retirement homes have suite call bell systems and emergency phone systems. Some even have 24/7 security monitoring to ensure a sense of security around the clock. 

Senior living in  Mississauga

We’ve talked to numerous Mississauga seniors about what makes it worthwhile to move into a senior living community here. The main point of agreement is, “it’s the people,” as Gordon Hughes says. His friend, Betty, chimes in that the independent senior living community they live in was I was “the right place to be” when her husband passed away. “This was almost like another family. People are sympathetic and others have been there.”

Living alone is not always the healthiest lifestyle choice, especially if you spend too many days isolated from everyone. In the community where they live (Credit River, see above) there is a daily slate of activities. No matter what's going on, though, “there’s always someone around to talk to,” says another member of the community, Reg Desilets. “Theyre interesting people, good people, too,” he says.

All Mississauga seniors’ communities offer this. At another community closer to the lakeshore (Sifton Erinview, see above), Anne McRae says, “I like knowing someone’s around all the time. If you need somebody, they’re here, and staff are really good, really. I’m quite happy here.” 

If you are on the cusp of considering the move into a senior living community here, we urge you to read about how this is a proactive move that will empower you. Our reviews of local communities show many seniors love retirement communities for the social benefits. Virtually all communities in Mississauga devote at least some resources towards keeping people active and social, but some residences make this a higher priority than others. Good communities -- no matter where they fall on the care specturm -- will create daily activity plans and full recreation programs for their seniors. They will also ask for senior input in choosing these activities.

Popular activities include movie nights, concerts, visiting entertainers/speakers, card games, bingo and special holiday celebrations.  

Other community programs and activities may include: 

• Billiards and pool tables
• Parties
• Arts and crafts
• Gardening
• Cocktail evenings
• Brain Fitness
• Continued education programs

Good homes also take advantage of the sourrunding community when designing a recreational calendar. These homes often oraginze events around Mississauga's:

• Museums, galleries and theatres
• Churches
• Festivals
• Historic sites
• Parks with walking and hiking areas 

Mississauga offers live theatre through the city’s popular Living Arts Centre, as well as a wide range of museums such as the Art Gallery of Mississauga, public art programs and culture programs. Celebration Square, in particular, is a popular destination for daily and weekly events including movie nights and farmer’s markets which are open in the summer. 

The city also hosts a number of parks, cycling and walking trails. In fact, Mississauga has over 522 parks to explore and several marinas, with a number of golf courses, public pools and recreation centres that offer a variety of additional activities to the wider community, all of which provide ideal environments for seniors to socialize with others in the area.

Seniors who love to shop will enjoy the wide selection of stores at Square One, the Erin Mills Town Centre or Dixie Outlet Mall, and many retirement residences organize bus trips to Toronto’s theatre district, waterfront area, Royal Ontario Museum, Ripley’s Aquarium, and the Toronto Art Gallery. Bus trips outside of the GTA are also available to Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-lake and the Stratford Festival.

While a number of Mississauga retirement homes have religious services, there are a number of churches and places of worship that communities can arrange transportation to, including Streetsville United Church and St. Francis Xavier Church. 

Many retirement homes in Mississauga also incorporate volunteerism into their communities. Primary, middle and high school students often visit residents and there are a number of volunteer opportunities for senior residents who are looking to make a difference, or give back to their community.

The Centre for Active Aging also provides exclusive volunteer opportunities, activities, clubs, information sessions, special events and programs for older adults and serves more than 1200 members across Mississauga. 

The Square One Older Adult Centre is another organization that offers programs and activities for seniors in the area, including events and trips, plus senior wellness services. 

How senior residents get around Mississauga

Volunteers (mentioned above) often help retirement home residents who are no longer able to drive, and most retirement homes will also have their own internal transportation system for their residents.

For independent residents who want to get around Mississauga on their own, there are a number of options:

• MiWay (Mississauga Transit) - Mississauga Transit offers seniors different options for their public transportation: Fixed pricing is offered to seniors, seniors are eligible for a tax credit if they have a month or annual pass with the MiWay transit systems, MiWay also offers a “Plan Your Trip” option where seniors can find their routes before they head out to use the MiWay busses. 
• GO Transit - For seniors 65 years or over there are senior single-ride fares, which is half the adult single-ride fare. 
• TransHelp - For Halton, Peel Brampton and Caledon areas.
• Trans Care - Low cost and senior-friendly transportation and escort services to medical appointments, other therapeutic programs and grocery shopping.
• Greyhound Bus 
• Private transportation for seniors – A number of home care agencies provide transportation for all kinds of needs, plus in-home services if needed for single events or a regular schedule

How to choose a retirement home

Although beginning the search for retirement homes can seem like a daunting task, the most important part is to start by considering three main factors: what matters most to you, what your price range is and if the retirement community’s location is a factor. Would you prefer to be in a new city or close to family? Would living in an active lifestyle community suit you or would you prefer a community with more assistance?

Perhaps you’re not sure if you’re even ready to live in a retirement community. The following questions can help you decide:

• 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?

Did you find yourself answering yes to one or several or all of these questions? Then you may already be thinking about a retirement living lifestyle. Please visit our page for seniors considering a retirement home to learn about additional common questions others have asked and advice about retirement living that may be helpful to you.

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.

Once you’ve decided that you’re ready to look at retirement communities and which type might suit you best, keep in mind that that every retirement community has something different to offer you so it’s important to search for residences that speak to your personality and interests, and where you’ll feel most comfortable and cared for. 

One key way to do this is to figure out what you really want. What’s truly important to you in a community? What do you absolutely need and what would just be nice to have? When you consider the area you’re looking into moving, which nearby services and activities are important to you to? Would you be all right with living in city away from family or being close to them necessary?

What’s in your price range? Remember that there are some services that retirement homes offer that aren’t included in the monthly fee so be sure to ask about this when you contact the retirement communities on your shortlist. If you need some assistance figuring out what type of retirement community you can afford, download the Retirement Calculator to help you compare your current costs of living.

Overall, ensure that the retirement homes on your list:

• Meet your short and long-term medical needs 
• Are affordable now and in the future
• Can grow with your needs as your activity and medical levels change over time

Make sure that the retirement communities you’re interested in can meet your needs, that it will remain affordable over time, and that the residence can accommodate your needs as your activity and medical levels change.

An additional point to consider for those interested in a long-term care home is that you or your loved ones are likely to be put on a waitlist. CCAC experts suggest that semi-private and private accommodations generally cost more but may have shorter wait times. Different factors may affect average wait times, including the type of accommodation requested, a crisis, 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. 

The best way to feel out a retirement community and find out whether it would be right for you is to take a tour. Speak one-on-one with current residents and staff and consider if environment is somewhere you could picture yourself. Chat with residents where possible and ask what they enjoy about living there. Address any specific concerns with staff and find out what they may be able to suggest to accommodate your needs. Also, don’t forget to download the Ultimate Retirement Tour Checklist to take with you when you begin touring retirement communities.

If, after taking a tour, you’re still unsure as to whether that community will work for you, many residences will offer overnight stays as an opportunity for you to get the best idea and experience of what living at that community is like. Take the time to ask more questions and get as much feedback as you can to help inform your decision. 

Mississauga is a hotspot for senior living and retirement condos, due to the safety of the community and its proximity to Toronto. Family will also find it attractive to visit, thanks to Mississauga's easy accessibility and Toronto's many interesting attractions, ranging from Blue Jays games to high quality theatre and other attractions. Senior condos throughout Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga and Brampton offer a wide variety of features ideal for seniors entering retirement. This is senior living the way it was meant to be. 

Learn more about choosing a retirement home or contact the residences above to get started with your search.

Retirement home regulations in Mississauga

Retirement communities in Mississauga and throughout Ontario are all licensed and regulated under the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA), which is responsible for inspecting retirement homes and enforcing the Retirement Homes Act, 2010. The RHRA maintains standards in Ontario’s Retirement Home industry by:

• Ensuring all Ontario retirement homes have a license
• Ensuring residents rights are upheld
• Protecting residents against abuse and neglect  

Many retirement homes in Mississauga are also members of the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA), which is a voluntary association for retirement homes throughout Ontario. 

Source: CMHC Seniors’ Housing Survey 2020-2021