What should you expect from life in a retirement residence?

First of all, retirement is an important stage in life and it is best to get informed before leaving one’s home. On the other hand, senior living can be a great way to maintain an active and dynamic lifestyle. There are many different types of senior residences, which can make the choice and transition complex.

Fortunately, Vistoo, the platform for new real estate in Quebec City, is here to introduce you to the different types of housing for seniors in Quebec and explain what to expect from life in a senior residence.

The different types of senior housing in Quebec

The term retirement home is often used to encompass many different places. However, each one has a few things in common. It is important to understand the different types of residences in order to choose the one that best suits your needs.

First, there are private seniors’ residences, commonly referred to as PSRs. PSRs are buildings that can take the form of apartments or rooms and are reserved for occupancy by people 65 years of age or older. These residences offer a pleasant and stress-free living environment for independent people.

PSRs are offered in many styles, from single rooms to rental units or condos. These meet the specific needs of seniors, while allowing them to maintain their privacy and independence.

There are also residences for semi-autonomous seniors. They offer the necessary level of care and assistance, while leaving enough room for the resident to remain independent.

Then, halfway between PSRs and CHSLDs, there are intermediate resources, also called IRs. These offer an ideal environment for seniors with a slight or moderate loss of autonomy.

Finally, long-term care facilities (CHSLD) are establishments that offer continuous care and supervise their residents to create a safe and welcoming environment.

A community that comes together

One of the main advantages of living in a retirement home is that it provides the opportunity to live in a community that comes together easily because of many shared characteristics.

This is because senior residences allow residents to share their interests and lifestyles with people who can understand and support them.

Most people who live in this type of residence are retired, or soon to be. This very important stage of life often comes as a bit of an emotional shock, as our lifestyle changes significantly and we discover that we have much more free time.

Sharing common living areas with other residents allows for a high level of social support and human interaction, creating an environment where people understand and relate to each other easily.

In addition, most senior residences organize activities, events or programs to ensure that residents are stimulated and active. These residences are therefore the perfect place to live in a close community, which will help maintain strong social ties.

Your privacy is always ensured

It’s normal to not always feel ready to socialize and participate in community life: privacy is just as important. Senior residences generally allow you to withdraw into your own affairs and enjoy life alone, just as you would in a home.

The level of environmental control and privacy will of course hinge on the type of residence. Depending on the level of autonomy, the personal environment may be more controlled by the residence staff to ensure the safety and well-being of the resident.

It is important to assess the resident’s level of autonomy in order to consider a residence that is adapted to their privacy needs. While privacy is important in all residences, in CHSLDs, for example, a stricter schedule must be maintained to ensure that the required care is adequately provided.

A wide variety of services and recreation available

Another reason why it is important to choose your residence is the services you can enjoy when living in a retirement home.

In some residences, it is possible to have easy access to a wide variety of activities and hobbies, such as virtual golf, saunas, indoor pools, bowling alleys, bingo, and many other options!

In addition, many PSRs also include services directly in the building such as convenience stores, hair salons, ATMs or grocery stores. 

In short, it is possible to find a senior’s residence that offers a wide variety of essential hobbies and services, without ever having to leave the building. This type of residence will allow you to continue to live an active life, while limiting the need for transportation and travel.

If you or a loved one is looking for a retirement home that will perfectly meet the needs of the resident, you will find one easily thanks to Vistoo, your real estate platform in Quebec City, Montreal and everywhere else in the province. Consult our list of retirement homes to find the ideal place today!