Free «Assorted Residential Options for Seniors in Canada» Essay Sample

Canada is a leading country in the world with the highest average life expectancies for both males and females. It is attributed to its improved living standards coupled with super medical care, enriched diet, and sufficient income per capita and high class social amenities, among others. Such ones are the known factors that ensure a comfortable and stress free life, which increases chances of a longer survival. It is a condition that has necessitated the establishment of optional residence for seniors. It has grown tremendously in the recent years following the upward trend in the population growth. It is observed that life after retirement can be the most distressing experience in one’s life if a proper planning was not done during working life. That is why the Canadian government has come up with an initiative of offering alternative options for the living of the ageing population to minimize stress related mortality. This essay describes the characteristics of seniors’ independent housing, supportive housing, and assisted living. They include such as: their physical environments, the kinds of services rendered and how these assorted housing options meet different needs of the ageing population in Canada.

Independent Housing

Independent housing refers to living communities, which are specifically designed for healthy and energetic seniors. These ones may not require to be assisted with normal activities of living such as personal care, grooming, and even eating. They range from luxury communities, which offer gourmet dining and golf courses, and apartments being age restricted for older adults that desire the conveniences of community living. An independent housing scheme is also known in various names. These are 55+ communities, active adult groups, adult lifestyle and life-lease communities, retirement groups, retirement homes, senior apartments or seniors’ housing (Kane, Bershadsky, & Bershadsky, 2006).

Those ones do offer an enriched lifestyle with recreational and educational opportunities. They are referred to as congregate living or retirement groups. Meanwhile others simply provide housing but with a minimal scale of amenities. These are called senior apartments whose facilities and services rendered are exclusive to other groups dealing in a similar trade. Both of these independent living types allow seniors more time to themselves and a limited time for performing maintenance chore and yard work such as lawn mowing among others.

Typically, these communities are private pay and the cost of houses may range from $1,400 to $3, 500 per month. It depends on location, community, and amenity options (Ross, Shlay, & Picon, 2012). The house features mainly include; apartment-style, which contains one to two bedroom units in a community setting, convenient location with retail shops and recreational activities. There are such community features as gardens, pools, golf courses, hair salons, and fitness centers as well as options for housekeeping, meals, laundry, and transportation. The prices often depend on the local market and most groups that render services. However, some subsidized senior apartments cater to seniors, whose income is lower than of others. The monthly rate may also be affected by floor plans and boarding options, which may be lower for semi-private and senior apartments being shared. A person is, therefore, required to make an informed choice depending on the individual economic strength. 

Crucial services which are not offered at these communities include healthcare and support with medication administration. However, many groups usually allow the individual to receive assistance from a home health aide or nurse making routine visits to the apartments. It has been omitted since the medical insurance scheme of the government covers for the aged groups and may be an unnecessary investment into the community. Instead of this, transport facilities are offered. It ensures that any sick cases are swiftly transported to renowned hospices for a specialized treatment.

To find an independent living, aspirants are always enabled to search the net by location, state or nearby cities of their choice (Blake, 2005). They then read through independent living lists to view various descriptions, plans, still and motion pictures, and crucial information on pricing and vital services rendered in those communities. Finally, they are free to contact the group of their choice in order to learn more and seek clarifications on the matters being unclear to them. They can schedule a tour to the place with a detailed questionnaire, which may be useful to gather the necessary information from appropriate respondents. Where the mobility of a person can be a challenge, communities also provide agency services to conduct all the necessary surveys on behalf of aspirants (Wagner, Shubair, & Michalos, 2010). Although this arrangement is remunerable it is highly preferred due to its flexibility and cost effectiveness compared with the cost incurred when the one does an individual research.

According to Agbayewa and Michalski (2008), the majority of the aging population prefers to reside in independent housing establishments. The reason is that the comfort and luxury they provide. People find some value for their money and the fulfillment of the long-term toil during their working period. Couples are happier; and they spend their sunset days rediscovering themselves and learning more new things. Such ones they could not have learnt during their busy scheduled programs of work. Statistics reveal that occupants of these communities look happier, healthier, and more energetic as compared to counterparts. These ones resort to an independent private living in their rural setting (Kane et al., 2006). This quality of life is what has summarily been the reason for Canada’s high life expectancy and ensuring a stable population growth.

Supportive Housing

Supportive housing is living communities, which are geared more on provision of mental health to ageing groups. They are founded on the principles of productive and meaningful engagement in life roles with an intention of ensuring stability and improved mental health. Each resident of supported housing usually has a unique set of needs and goals being addressed by the community. Residents are also actively involved in housing decisions, which determine the kind of programs that they should be facilitated with. The living environments are enabling a positive response that residents are provided with and the choice of control as well as autonomy they have over it.

Besides, the nature of the environment is determined by the unique needs and goals. Each resident has them; for instance, some of them may prefer a supportive housing, which is located close to their existing resources of communities and social connections. Meanwhile some people who have some issues of addiction may find a greater stability in neighborhoods, which have lower crime rates related to drug use. Supportive housing also offers mainstream apartments, which attract some residents being interested in integrated facilities. There they can remain anonymous and where neighbors cannot identify their mental health status (Newman Holupka, & Harkness, 2009). Others may also benefit from the support of nearby peers in the clustered housing arrangements where the neighborhood is more acceptable and ready to offer necessary support.

Apart from that, residents are also provided with knowledge and skills related to financial management and home errands such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for pets. Sometimes supportive housing facilities also help in offsetting house bills for those members, who choose to live independently for their own convenience. Other than that, the communities offer hospitalization for residents with ailments as well teaching them on how to access specialized medication. It occurs in case they begin to experience symptoms or get some injuries. Preventive measures to possible dangers related to an old age are also among the issues ventilated during the provision of services in supportive housing.

Meanwhile, supportive housing goes an extra mile in providing vocational literacy where members are taught on how to set life goals and break their tasks into manageable steps. It usually helps residents to work hard in unleashing their full potential and for self-improvement as well as empowerment. Family members of residents are also allowed to pay regular visits to provide their kin with moral support, as well as necessary emotional and physical help.

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Just like in the independent living, aspirants of supportive housing are usually required to search the net either by location, state or nearby cities of their choice. They then peruse through the listings of supportive housing to view various descriptions, plans, still and motion pictures, and crucial information on pricing and vital services rendered in the communities. Finally, they are free to contact the group selected in order to learn more and seek clarifications on the matters that are uncertain (Ross, Shlay, & Picon, 2012). They can as well schedule a tour to the place with a detailed list of questions, which may be useful to gather the necessary information from appropriate respondents. Where respondents are incapacitated in a movement, the communities also provide agency services to conduct all the necessary surveys on behalf of e aspirants for a fee.

In the built environments such as supportive housing estates, communities provide a wide range of services. From there, aspirant residents can select depending on their financial ability (Garvin, Nykiforuk, & Johnson, 2013). This option is usually preferred by many old aged people who may have some health issues. Such ones come with old age or those that are prone to accidents, which result from occasional falling due to ageing conditions. Given its versatility, residents find the utmost comfort and stability at their old age.

Assisted Living

Assisted living communities are the ones that provide supportive care to seniors, who may need some assistance with their daily errands. In some states, it is also known as assisted care, assistive care, residential care, supportive living, basic care, personal care, adult living facilities, adult foster or personal care (Dunn et al., 2010). These seniors may not necessarily need skilled care provided at long-term care homes. It is a viable alternative for aged adults but those being mostly independent. However, it may require some sort of assistance with their day-to-day living or that may anticipate some assistance in their near future.

Assisted living communities exist in assorted shapes and sizes, ranging from towering apartment buildings in urban centers, and to sprawling complexes in suburbs to a relatively smaller number of residents. The groups are found in most Canadian cities such as Ontario, Brunswick, among others. Here residents live in private ones to two bedroom apartments although studios or bachelor units are also available. Since meal services are also included, kitchenettes are, therefore, more typical than full kitchens. Due to a safe, nurturing and anxious free environment, more couples prefer permanently to a temporary stay where they enjoy life to the fullest extent. It is ensured by skilled assisted living teams of trained designated care managers and skilled nursing in coordination with hospice care. Seniors are also engaged in daily wellness activities where they are offered with a wide range of ongoing support together with their families (Dunn et al., 2010).

Assisted living is often utilized by many American seniors due to its comfortable and more engaging atmosphere. It is coupled with health care and assistance in daily chores. In some cases, these communities may be free-standing, a section of continuing care community, nursing home or an addition to the independent living environment. The planned social and recreational events assist seniors to gain an increased quality of life while also maintaining their independence.

The requisite age living in the assisted living facilities typically ranges from 66 to 94; and nearly 75% of these residents are females (Robison et al., 2011). The reason is that the majority of them being mobile and flexible, individual assistance required is minimal as compared to other residents in other senior residences (Robison et al., 2011). About the two-third of assisted living communities are freestanding, where 26% of them are inclined to a care program. A number of communities also have private or semi-private rooms, 64% of them offer private washrooms, 77% of them offer units being fully furnished, and 25% of them propose kitchenettes (Robison et al.., 2011).

Apart from that, assisted living facilities also offer 24-hour assistance entailing medication assistance, on-site health care services, a full diet on a daily basis, laundry and housekeeping services, transportation physical and occupational therapy for social and recreational activities as well as exercise classes (Golant, Parsons, & Boling, 2010). There are also popular amenities that include recreational rooms, libraries, religious chapels, and beauty salons. Due to the versatility of facilities, low income earners also comfortably get incorporated into the system.

Besides, most occupants of assisted living facilities are those ones that require support in activities. These ones are affected by diminished memory, muscle tone, fine motor skills, and flexibility (Ross, Shlay, & Picon, 2012). For many of them, driving may become unsafe for them, while others find it painful to lift objects or even consider it as difficult to unscrew a bottle of medication. The reason is that due to these shortcomings, the facility also helps them to access healthcare services of taking their medications, evaluating their finances, carrying out shopping and general house chores. Residents are meant to enjoy individual service plans (ISPs) that ensure each of them to receive individualized care through delineation of any needed assistance. It occurs in such a manner that minimizes the impact of care assistance to residents’ lifestyles. As a result, their independence can be maximized.

In addition to that, different assisted living communities also provide some programs of memory care for seniors who may be suffering from Alzheimer's, dementia, and other related conditions. They usually result in loss suppression of a cognitive function (Golant, Parsons, & Boling, 2010). It helps them to cope with the challenges that come with the age of senility. Aspirants who may be interested in these lucrative services can always search the site and determine what they want regarding to their financial strength. They should also indicate the type of amenities they may be interested in and if they have some pets to come along. Being similar as in independent housing, aspirants can also visit prospective assisted living facilities to explore and determine their suitability in line with their conditions. Otherwise, also, they may opt to use agents to carry out this excursion on their behalf.

Conclusion

Aged people should actually live happily and comfortably as they reflect upon the good fruit that they would have grown during their lifetime. However, this sunset life is always not easy given that the strength of aged people could be depleted. They are left to rely on some good wishers or their savings for survival. Many people, who find themselves in a number of crises related to their health, are always frustrated. It occurs especially if they did little to prepare for this kind of life. The lack of adequate capacity to cope with old age challenges is what reduces life expectancy for the people of many countries. Canada is an exceptional example, which other countries ought to emulate. The reason is that it happens due to its proper prior planning for cushioning its ageing population from early demise due to old age related confronts (Dunn et al., 2010). It has enabled its people to fully and comfortably live stress free. Life is precious and must be lived meaningfully and usefully in order to make sense of it. People must also realize that just like any other precious thing, life is expensive. Therefore, it requires a prior proper planning and correct choice in order to adequately meet its demands. It means that every moment being lived should contribute positively to the life after. That is what is referred to as a purpose driven life.