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Oakville retirement homes

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

Located in the Greater Toronto Area, the suburban city of Oakville is divided into thirteen neighborhoods and is well known for its sports and high concentration of schools, particularly private schools. The Town of Oakville also has a number of parks, trails and gardens intermixed in their suburbs and business districts to offer a wide variety of beautiful spaces for activities and events that can enhance a comfortable lifestyle at their retirement communities.

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

Types of retirement living in Oakville

Within and surrounding Oakville are a number of different types of retirement homes on the spectrum of care (see image below) that are able to accommodate each individual’s physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs. For a comparison of the different types of care, visit our hub on the subject.

Independent living  and assisted living are two of the most common types of retirement homes in the area. Many of these homes offer both levels of care, with the ability to transition from one type of care to another over time as needs change. These types of retirement communities have what’s called a continuum of care. For instance, a resident may live in an independent living suite for a few years and as their health demands increase they may find they require a more intense level of care. The advantage of these communities is that rather than having to move to a different location in the same city, they can simply move to an assisted living suite on site where they have access to the medical care they need and staff who can help with this care as well as daily living activities. This also allows residents to maintain their connection with peers and friends as well as participate in the community’s events and activities as they feel comfortable.

Seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can get support and assistance with 24-hour dementia care that ensures residents remain safe and comfortable; some  residences may have unique care for different types of dementia. These residences are often home-like environments equipped with special safety measures that meet their resident’s unique needs.

Read Oakville retirement home reviews before you commit to a retirement residence here.

How much does a retirement home in Oakville cost?

In 2021, the average rent in Ontario grew by 3.5% to $3,999 a month, according to the annual CMHC Report on Seniors Housing. The average rate in Halton Region was predictably higher, at $4,748. Oakville senior retirement homes listed by Comfort Life start at $3,500 for a studio or bachelor apartment, up to $7,710 for a 2 bedroom apartment for a couple.

You may be wondering how you or your loved ones can afford a retirement home in Oakville. Generally, most seniors use a combination of their pensions, RRSPs, CPP and other income to pay the monthly fee. Others use the profits from the sale of their home and receive help from family members to cover their costs. We look at a big list of options in our look at how to pay for a retirement home. For those in need of financial help, rest assured that some retirement homes work with the Halton Region to provide subsidized help for seniors. Contact the Halton Region for further details.

Ontario’s Trillium Drug Program (TDP) also helps seniors looking for financial help. 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.

Medical and safety services for Oakville seniors

While retirement residences make every effort to have the necessary support services on hand to meet medical needs, sometimes the level of care required is outside the scope of what the community can offer, in which case they work with third party providers and rely on access to nearby hospitals to help residents receive the full range of assistance necessary.

Area hospitals include Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and Credit Valley Hospital, amd the new Oakville Hospital which is slated to open in December 2015. Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial has a number of outpatient clinics plus rehabilitation and dialysis care while Credit Valley has highly-specialized programs and outpatient services such as a Fracture Clinic and Spine Centre. Through the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, Halton Healthcare Services provides additional programs such as a Cardiac Rehabilitation and Education Program, Eye clinic, and ConnectCARE diabetes education.

Oakville retirement communities strive to ensure that their residents’ safety is top of mind in and outside of their residences. A number of homes have exterior security systems, call bell systems, and emergency phone systems in place to safeguard their residents’ and help them feel confident as they explore their new community and surrounding city.

Many Oakville retirement homes have an on-site doctor, or a doctor who visits residents on a regular basis. Some also have a doctor’s office on site and offer dental care, as well as medication administration and supervision, occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreational therapy, or oxygen assistance. On-site nursing staff may also available in most retirement homes, though availability will vary – some are available only for specific hours, depending on the type of retirement home and living package you choose, while others are 24/7. Other medical programs may be available ranging from simple exercise programs, to intensive recuperative programs, to special dietary programs.

Residents who need medical care outside of the scope of what the retirement home can offer may hire one-on-one care; sometimes the Local Health Integration Network will pick up the tab for this extra service. Halton community chapters with the Arthritis Society, the Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Mental Health Association, and Heart and Stroke Foundation, as just a few examples, not only offer additional information and resources but also offer volunteer opportunities for seniors looking to stay actively involved in the community and connect with causes they care about.

Recreation and social activities for seniors

Retirement communities in Oakville endeavor to provide the utmost care that aging adults need while also offering an extremely supportive and caring environment that fulfills not only physical needs, but the emotional and social aspects of aging as well. Seniors have the opportunity to socialize with peers their age to share their interests, build on current interests and try out new ones, and explore everything their community has to offer.

Apart from medical care, within the retirement communities are a number of wellness, social and intellectual programs designed by staff to engage and inspire residents. From games rooms to mini-golf, spa services, arts and crafts rooms, wellness centres, continuing education, gardening and brain fitness, Oakville retirement communities strive to continuously provide stimulating things to do and participate in based on their residents’ interests. Other examples of daily activities include bingo, cards, movies, musical concerts, outside entertainment, and fun celebrations of local festivals and holidays.

Some communities also offer a games room, BBQs, bar/pubs, hot tub, beauty salon, library and chapel/church service, among others.

For seniors who require less medical care and want to get out into the city, Oakville has a variety of recreational programs and activities, classes, luncheons and more to appeal to all interests. The Oakville Senior Citizens Centre has registered programs and drop-in activities that include an Arts and Culture Lecture Series, Zumba Gold, Book Club, Computer Classes and Carpet Bowling, with many of the drop-in activities costing as little as fifty cents. The Iroquois Ridge Older Adult Centre, QEPCCC Older Adult Centre, River Oaks Mature Adult Club and Sir John Colborne Recreation Centre for Seniors are other examples of community centres that have cultural and recreational activities for those ages 50+.

There are live year round theatre productions through the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, exhibits and galleries at the Oakville Museum, and parks, trails and gardens to explore as well as the Bronte and Oakville Harbours. Bronte Creek Trail and the Waterfront Trail are some well known locations for hiking, cycling or leisurely strolls. Retirement communities can help arrange transportation to certain activities, libraries, as well as shopping trips and festivals such as the popular Oakville Jazz Festival and the Waterfront Festival which both take place every August.

Other well known festivals include the Maple Syrup Festival in March, Midnight Madness in July and For the Love of the Arts Festival in late Spring. All three of Oakville’s Business Improvement Associations organize additional activities throughout the year. Retirement communities in Oakville can also arrange transportation and day trips to Toronto area attractions such as The Royal Ontario Museum, Niagara Falls, or to Stratford for events like the Stratford Festival. There may also be bus availability to area shopping malls such as Oakville Place and downtown Oakville’s many unique shops and boutiques.

Getting around Oakville

Most retirement homes have pre-arranged transportation or are able to coordinate transportation for seniors. Those interested in public transit may like to consider the following options:

• Oakville Transit - Bus transit with senior discounts available.
• GO Transit - 65 years or over - Senior single-ride fare is half the adult single-ride fare.
• Home Instead Senior Care  - 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 Oakville United Taxicab Ltd., Oakville Taxi Company, and a number of wheelchair accessible taxis are available. Rates and other details are listed on the Town of Oakville’s website: https://www.oakville.ca/townhall/taxis-limos.html

Availability of retirement homes in Oakville

According to the CMHC Seniors’ Housing Survey for 2021, Ontario saw an overall increase in vacancy rate in 2021, to 19.6%. In the Halton Region (including Oakville), this rate was slightly higher than average, at 20.6%. These numbers were heavily influenced by both fear and personal stasis in the wake of the pandemic and quarantine.

How to choose a retirement home

There is a lot to consider when choosing a retirement home and we understand that the process can often feel overwhelming. You may be looking for a residence close to family or somewhere that you can explore the benefits listed above to complement a more active lifestyle. We encourage those interested in searching for retirement communities to determine first and foremost what appeals most to you, what will fulfill your needs and interests, what you think you will be able to afford, and if location is a factor in your decision.

You may not be sure whether it’s time to consider retirement living. Start with the following questions which may be helpful to keep in mind as you begin:

• 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?

For more points to consider and some common questions and concerns about retirement homes, please visit our page for seniors considering a retirement home. While it’s advisable to think about the residence you have in mind as being affordable now and in the future, make sure also that that the home can grow with your needs as your activity and medical levels change over time.

There may come a point where you want to transition to assisted living or a long-term care home - does the retirement home you’re looking into have a continuum of care or will you need to change communities in the future? If you are interested in a long-term care home, remember that you may be put on a waitlist.

According to experts from Home and Community Support Services, 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.

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.

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. This is another great chance to ask questions, speak with current residents about their experience there or simply soak in the environment. Is this an atmosphere where you can imagine yourself living and feel that you will be taken care of? Similarly, if you are looking at the community for a loved one, is the atmosphere and staff warm and caring? Do you feel that your loved one will be safe and well cared for?

Don’t forget to download the Ultimate Retirement Tour Checklist to take with you when you begin touring retirement communities on your shortlist.

Finally, if you need some assistance figuring out if you can afford the type of community you’re interested in, be sure to 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.

For more information about choosing a retirement home, see our look at senior care options, or contact the residences above to get started with your search.

Oakville retirement community regulations

In Ontario, retirement communities are subject to the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority (RHRA), which set a deadline of July 3, 2012 for existing residences to become licensed. Licensing requires retirement homes to receive approval and undergo ongoing inspections by the RHRA in order to operate. Many retirement homes in Oakville 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)
• The Ontario Home Care Association (OHCA)
• The Ontario Long-term Care Association (OLTCA)
• AdvantAge Ontario (formerly the Ontario Association of Non-profit Homes and Services for Seniors: OANHSS)

Source: CMHC Seniors’ Housing Survey 2020-2021