The changing face of retirement living: what to consider

Sharon Maye
Director, Pembroke-Renfrew County, Carefor 

As the fastest growing population, aging adults have carved a new identify that is reshaping attitudes on aging. It’s based on wellbeing, being responsible for their own health, and wanting to be in control of decisions about their care including where they receive the care. Specifically, seniors and their care partners value accessible care, high quality affordable housing alternatives, assistance with disease management, senior friendly communities, and the right to live on their own terms.

These expectations present various challenges and opportunities across the health care system as health care providers, including at the retirement residence level, learn how to support this population. In larger cities, organizations have created modern senior living communities/complexes with luxury amenities. While such facilities are available in smaller populated areas, these facilities are not a realistic option of those on a limited income.

“Retirement Living” has taken on many definitions, but is still widely misunderstood. The term is applied to assisted living, retirement supportive care facilities, and senior communities – all health-focused by maintaining a person’s independence. 

Traditionally, retirement homes provided housing, some health care monitoring, food and housekeeping services, and minimal, if any, assistance with personal care. Coupled with people living longer with more complex health issues, it is largely what “maintaining independence” means that has caused a change in traditional retirement living and made the sector a vital partner in the health care system. In many cases, retirement facilities have taken on the role of filling a gap between home and long-term care (nursing homes) as they support individuals who do not want to move to a nursing home.

Today, while some maintain the traditional focus, many residences have changed their admission criteria to align with the aging population and their needs. One only needs to visit a retirement home to see the difference. Depending on the residence’s admission criteria and services, it is not uncommon for retirement facilities to have a people in their 50’s or younger. “Maintaining independence” now means providing supportive care (bathing, full medication administration services, dressing), in order to maintain a person’s ultimate level function.  A person is “independently” mobile even if they require a wheelchair, walker, or scooter.

Care staff are actively managing various health conditions including dementia and mental health illness and providing palliative care.  A more recent evolution has been the utilization of retirement facilities on a transitional basis from hospital to home on a short-term basis. This allows the person to recover to the point of being able to return home safely.

Since retirement homes do not receive any government funding, this change in philosophy can be challenging for facility staff and operators. However, it is positive because it offers another community care and housing option aimed at keeping the person “home” longer while providing care that increases quality of life and physical, social, and mental wellbeing – which ultimately should be the goal for every retirement facility.

What to consider when choosing a retirement residence?

• Do research: Many retirement residences have information packages which outline services and cost. Book a visit for a tour and meeting with someone at the retirement facility. It is always helpful to take a family member or friend with you for support.
• Care Options: Make a list of what care you need and what you can do independently. For example, do you need help with taking a bath but are able to dress yourself? Do you need help getting in and out of bed? Do you require around the clock health care and monitoring? If so, a nursing home may be a better option.
• Affordability: Retirement residences do not receive any government funding. When considering whether you can afford the monthly fee, consider all your “income” sources such as savings, pension, sale of home, investments, insurance, or family assistance. Remember, you won’t be paying for heat, hydro, and groceries like you would while living at home.
• Costs: Ask questions so you understand what is included in the monthly fee. Prices vary depending on room size, level of care, and types of services. For example, at the Carefor Mackay Centre and Carefor Civic Complex, our rates are all inclusive however, in other residence there are extra costs for each service you require.
• Room Options: Many offer a variety of private and semi-private rooms/suites and, in some cases, apartments. Depending on what you can afford, a semiprivate room may be the best choice.
  Short-term stay option: This is beneficial for a trial basis, over the winter months, if caregivers require respite, or if you require extra recovery before returning home following discharge from hospital.
• Staffing: What type and amount of staff are available and when?
• Building and Property: Is the building and property kept in good condition? Is there a sprinkler system in place? What are security features?
• License: Check if the home licenced with the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority.
• Other Considerations:  Recreational activities, meal and dining options, and laundry/housekeeping services.

Most important…if the facility gives you a feeling of worth, dignity, provides client-focused services, a sense of community, peace of mind, and comfort it no longer is a facility but place you can call home.

Learn more about Carefor’s Residential Services in Renfrew County.

Your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia. Now what?

Carole Green, BFA-MT
Program Manager, Ottawa

When you first hear the word “Dementia,” the diagnosis can bring you to a standstill. Generally considered as a disease leading to memory and cognitive processing issues, the term dementia is actually an overarching word for a collection of symptoms leading to brain decline. Once people have a chance to digest the diagnosis, they may not know where to go next. Here are some recommendations that may help:

Health care: Proper medical care can assist you in determining the best course of action and next steps. Treatment of dementia is typically most effective when started early in the disease process, and although there currently is not a defined cure, some medications may alleviate some symptoms for prolonged periods of time.

It is important to be actively involved in health care and personal decisions early in the process. Remember, the person living with dementia may still be able to maintain a sense of autonomy and participate in their own health care decisions and future plans.

Professional Support: Learning more about dementia and different approaches can be important tool for care partners and friends. An important first step, if you live in Ottawa/Renfrew County, is to make a self-referral to the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, which can be done can be made online or by phone. They are a valuable resource for programs, services, education, referrals as well as support. A Dementia Care Coach provides individualized support to improve the quality of life of care partners, families and individuals living with dementia. Visit them online at dementiahelp.ca or call 1-888-889-6002. In Eastern Counties, please contact the Alzheimer’s Society of Cornwall and District, alzheimer.ca/en/cornwall. 

Support groups and educational sessions, such as the ones offered by the Dementia Society, provide care partners and the person living with dementia with information, support, resources and an opportunity to meet others living with a similar situation. Care partners can learn positive approaches, self-care techniques and how to focus on maintaining abilities for now and in the future.

Care partners who understand dementia and the increased challenges that come with its progression are better able to support the person living with the disease and get the help that’s right for them.

Focus on what’s important: Conversations with key care partners and family after diagnosis can allow the person living with dementia to set priorities based on what is important to them, such as deciding when to stop working, pursuing new goals, or travelling, etc. It can also allow the person living with dementia to make informed decisions about legal, financial and care matters, and make their wishes known to their family and friends.

Care partners can help the person living with dementia focus on the tasks they can still do rather than the losses, which is essential to maximize their autonomy. 

Take Care: Recognize that both the care partner and the person living with dementia are going through a variety of emotions. Feelings of anger, resentment, embarrassment, frustration, fear or sadness are all common emotions. Remember, these emotions are normal and may come and go depending on the day. It’s important to note that when one person is living with dementia, so is their care partner.

Maintaining physical health, trying to stay active, making healthy food choices and spending time with your family and friends, are all very important in maintaining your health. Staying active can help reduce stress, give a much-needed break and extend the ability to provide balanced care.

Encourage advocacy: Underneath the cloak of dementia, the person you remember is still there. People living with dementia can continue to live meaningful lives. Many people living with dementia find that sharing experiences with others living with the diagnosis can be very helpful in reducing the stigma of the disease, validating the sense of loss, reducing loneliness and in encouraging others to reach out for support.

People living with dementia can also make their voices heard to raise awareness about the disease, and the need for quality care and increased funding for research.

Community Support: Community programs such as frozen meal delivery, transportation, in-home personal support, homemaking services, adult day programs and respite are available to provide support to both the person living with dementia and the care partner. Carefor operates over 30 programs across the Champlain region that directly and indirectly support individuals living with dementia and their care partners.

The dedicated staff at Carefor’s adult day programs, respite program and retirement residences always use the term “every door is the right door” when it comes to helping clients and care partners get connected to programs and services. When clients arrive at one of our programs, the staff team get to know them by utilising the Best Friend’s Approach to Dementia Care, an approach that focuses on learning the client’s life story, building rapport and understanding dementia. By utilising this approach, staff create relationships with the clients, and learn additional creative ways they can assist throughout the time the client is participating in our programs.

These programs offer clients living with dementia a chance to enjoy activities of interest designed to enhance their well-being in a safe and supportive setting while providing respite and support for the care partners. Staff also consult with care partners to offer information, support and referrals to other community services and programs, where needed.

 

For additional information on Carefor’s full range of programs and services, visit: carefor.ca or to see all resources across our region, visit caredove.com/champlaincss. 

National Seniors Council of Canada, “studies show that the lack of a supportive social network is linked to a 60% increase in the risk of dementia and cognitive decline; while socially integrated lifestyles protect against dementia”.[1]   Luckily, it has also been proven that seniors with many social relationships lead longer and healthier lives, highlighting the need for social cohesion and connection in our later years of life.

The most common cause of senior isolation is widowhood, shrinking social networks, and children and grandchildren moving far away. According to the Government of Canada, other critical and often preventable factors that heighten the risk of seniors feeling and being socially isolated include:

• Living alone or living with a spouse but serving as their caregiver
• Being 80+, Aboriginal, new immigrants or LGBTQ
• Experiencing health issues (particularly Alzheimer’s, dementia and chronic illness)
• Disconnection from children and family (or not having any)
• Inability to access transportation
• Living in a low-income household
• Lack of access to or awareness of useful community support services
• Fear of accessing community support services
• Housing instability
• Fear or falling, incontinence or other issues that may prevent them from engaging with community members

Knowing that social connections can and do improve overall happiness in seniors’ everyday life, here are the top 4 ways to maintain and create new social connections:

1. Volunteer: The Journal of Gerontology completed a study concluding that elderly people who volunteer experience higher levels of happiness and overall well-being. These volunteer activities not only create social and community connections, but also ignite a sense of purpose and achievement for the volunteers.
2. Exercise Classes: Senior group exercise programs led by trained and certified instructors can serve the dual purpose of helping seniors stay healthy while also introducing them to a whole new community of friends.
3. Learning Something New: Learning a new skill is proven to improve cognition, but it comes with the added benefit of introducing seniors to a whole new community of friends, mentors and teachers while doing so.
4. Live in a Retirement Home: Since living alone is a key indicator of senior loneliness and depression, retirement living can improve socialization and connection. Lifelong friends, partners, and chosen family are often found in retirement living communities.

If you, or a senior in your life, is looking for ways to create new social connections, visit our website today at www.carefor.ca. There you will find information about our two retirement homes in Pembroke, Carefor Civic and Carefor Mackay as well as  resources and more information about our in-home care services.

It is without question that exercise is beneficial at any stage of life, but did you know that exercise can actually make you happier? Thanks to the release of endorphins that make people feel good, exercise is proven to improve people’s moods and spark joy! Moreover, studies from the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal confirm that “exercise plays an active role in treating depression”, which is a particularly important finding considering that “1 in 4 seniors lives with mental health challenges (e.g., depression, anxiety or dementia) or illness, and 10 to 15% of adults 65 years or older and living in the community suffer from depression.” Not only can exercise prevent depression, but it can also help to reduce stress, improve sleep and improve the overall health of seniors.

Physical activity for seniors does not need to be strenuous to improve mobility, muscle strengthening, flexibility, stamina, coordination, and overall health. In fact, just a moderate amount of daily physical activity can work wonders on the mind and the body. Some benefits of physical activity for seniors include: 

• Increased ability to live independently
• Increased proprioception leading to a lowered risk of falls or fractures
• Reduced blood pressure in seniors with hypertension
• Reduced risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, colon cancer and heart disease
• Maintenance of healthy bones, muscles, and joints
• Controlled swelling of joints and pain caused from arthritis

Often, the hardest part of exercise for seniors is getting started. Finding a community group, exercise class at your nursing home or a movement practice you can enjoy with friends and family can help ease the fear of starting a new fitness regime. For seniors,  most common types of exercise programs are: 

• Walking, brisk walking or stair walking
• Dancing (which, according to the academic journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, is the most likely form of exercise to reverse the signs of aging in the brain!)
• Water Aerobics
• Chair Yoga
• Resistance Band Workouts
• Pilates
• Tai Chi
• Gardening

Remember, if you or your loved one is just learning a new physical activity, start slow! The CDC recommends just 5-10 minutes of gentle movement to start and to always get a doctor’s approval before starting out a new exercise program.

Housing needs change drastically for people as they age. Whether the upkeep of your primary home becomes too much work, or you require assistance doing certain tasks, there are affordable housing options available to low-income seniors hoping to retire. That said, the average cost of most bachelor apartments or private rooms in seniors’ residences in Canada (including a minimum of one meal) averages $2,210 per month. For individuals without savings that rely on government pension payments, this may be an impossible number to pay. Thankfully, there are other options. Below, we have outlined the top three retirement housing options for low-income seniors.

 1. Affordable Housing:

Accessing affordable housing is a right at any age but figuring out how to access it can be challenging. The Government of Ontario has a dedicated website to addressing affordable housing across the province, prioritizing the needs of people at risk of or currently homeless. Seniors may be eligible for the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit, a monthly benefit payment to help certain households that are either living in community housing or on the wait list for social housing to pay their rent.

Learn more about Affordable Housing and Supportive Housing initiatives in Ontario.

2. Aging in Place with Free Assisted Living Services:

Assisted living services are community-based health care services that provide eligible seniors with the assistance that they need to continue aging in place at their homes. Caregiver support provided through assisted living services may include:

• Washing/bathing
• Mouth care
• Preventative skin care
• Transferring/positioning/turning
• Dressing/undress
• Toileting or incontinence care
• Homemaking – including running errands and doing groceries
• Escorting to medical appointments
• Medication reminders
• Assisting with range of motion and in-home exercise

 

Learn more about no cost assisted living services provided by Carefor.

3. Low-Cost Retirement Living:

There are a few affordable retirement residences available to seniors living in Ontario right now. For example, Carefor MacKay Centre is one of the most affordable retirement homes in the entire Ottawa valley. The not-for-profit status of Carefor enables it to reduce costs and provide all-inclusive, low-cost packages to seniors living on a tight budget. Permanent move-ins even qualify for their first month free at the Carefor Civic Complex, and gain access to recreation programs, dedicated staff, community feeling, home-cooked meals and housekeeping.

Learn more about Ottawa’s most affordable retirement home and contact Jennifer to book a tour of the Carefor Civic Complex today at 613-732-9993 ext. 3223 or jstcyr@carefor.ca

When you or your aging parents are working with a tight budget, we recommend sitting down with a reputable financial advisor and determining how to use government retirement income programs such as CPP, OAS and GIS to work within your budgetary constraints or use our recommended resources below.

Recommended Resources for Low Income Seniors:

Canadian Retirement Income Calculator

Budget Planner

The Government of Canada provides a wide range of income support systems to seniors upon retirement. While the Canada Pension Plan is accessible to all individuals over 60 who paid into CPP at some point in their working life, other programs such as the Guaranteed Income Supplement have more stringent eligibility requirements. Each of these programs can help low-income seniors financially survive the cost of retirement. The amounts available to seniors through Canada’s retirement income programs are dependent on the specific financial circumstance of each applicant. This blog provides the definitions and application links for the Canada Pension Plan, the Old Age Security Pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Allowance, and the Allowance for the Survivor Benefit.

 1. Canada Pension Plan (CPP):

The Canada Pension Plan retirement pension is a taxable monthly benefit designed to replace some of your income when you retire. The amount of this depends on your average earnings and how much you paid into the plan. If you qualify, you will receive the monthly benefit for the rest of your life.

 Eligibility Requirements include:

• You are at least 60 years old (but the standard age is 65)
• You have made a at least one valid CPP contribution in your lifetime.

Learn more about the Canada Pension Plan and Apply. 

 

2. Old Age Security (OAS):

At 65, those who meet the residence requirements can receive this modest monthly benefit. The amount you will receive for this benefit is calculated based on how long you have lived in Canada after you turned 18 years old. Payment rates can change to reflect the current cost of living based on the Consumer Price Index. The Old Age Security benefit is considered taxable income and, in some cases, Service Canada may automatically enroll you in the OAS pension. As of July 2022, Seniors aged 75 and older will see an automatic increase of their OAS pension by 10%.

Learn more about the Old Age Security Pension.                                      

 

3. Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS):

At 65, people with low or no other income beyond OAS may qualify for an additional monthly benefit called the Guaranteed Income Supplement. Low-income individuals who are receiving partial OAS can also apply and receive GIS to make up for their reduced OAS pension. It is not taxable. 

Eligibility Requirements include:

• You are 65 or older
• You reside in Canada
• You get the OAS pension
• Your income plus the income of your spouse/common-law partner is below:
  • $25,728 if your spouse/common-law partner receives the full OAS pension
  • $46,656 if your spouse/common-law partner does not receive an OAS pension
  • $46,656 if your spouse/common-law partner receives the Allowance

Before applying for the Guaranteed Income Supplement, ensure that you have completed all your annual tax returns to date and that you have already applied to OAS.

Learn more about the Guaranteed Income Supplement and Apply. 

 

4. Allowance:

If you are eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement, your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible to receive the Allowance benefit.

Eligibility Requirements include:

• You are 60-64 years old
• You are a Canadian citizen or a legal resident
• You reside in Canada now and for at least 10 years since the age of 18
• Your combined income annually is under $36,048

Learn more about the Allowance Pension and Apply.

 

5. Allowance for the Survivor Benefit:

One additional benefit is available for low-income spouses and common-law partners of GIS recipients.

Eligibility Requirements include:

• You are between 60 and 64 years of age
• You reside in Canada
• Your spouse or common law partner has died and since their death you have not remarried or become common-law with another person
• Your yearly income is less than $26,256

 

Learn more about the Allowance for the Survivor Benefit and Apply.

Retiring on a budget is challenging but not impossible. Beyond these government support programs, seniors can draw from community groups for physical, mental and emotional support as well as organizations such as Carefor for low-cost retirement housing or free assisted living programs. Contact our team at Carefor today to learn how we can help make a retirement plan with you, or visit some of the recommended resources below to learn more.

Recommended Resources for Low Income Retirement Planning:

Low Income Retirement Planning 2022

Government of Canada Public Pensions

Old Age Security Payment Amounts

Moving and change are never easy, especially in the later years of life when one has resided in their home for a long time. Many seniors, alongside their family members, struggle with the transition to retirement living. Here are some tried and true ways that caregivers can help make the switch to retirement living easier on the seniors they love and care for.  

1. Include your loved one in making the decision in the first place, allowing them to feel a sense of control over the choice made.
2. Take a tour of the facility together with your family member and even ask about a trial stay for a few nights.
3. Personalize the space with items, photographs and things that make your loved one feel at home
4. Get to know the staff at the retirement facility with your senior and don’t be afraid to ask questions as needed.
5. Attend social and recreational events with your senior family member at the retirement facility in the beginning and encourage them to continue attending so they can build community and make friends.
6. Be patient. Transitions are difficult but worthwhile and the benefits of living in a retirement home far outweigh the drawbacks.

Finally, assisted living support programs can be a great introduction to the benefits retirement living. At Carefor, our living services are healthcare services that provide eligible seniors living in Pembroke with the assistance that they need to allow them to continue living on their own for as long as possible. Assisted living services focus on providing support for everyday activities that seniors can no longer do on their own, such as:

• Washing/bathing
• Mouth care
• Preventative skin care
• Transferring/positioning/turning
• Dressing/undressing
• Toileting or incontinence care
• Homemaking

Our program at Carefor also provide safety and reassurance checks and 24-hour urgent response via telephone or in person.

To learn more about the no-cost assisted living services, visit our website today and contact us to learn more. 

 

Being a caregiver is an incredibly rewarding, albeit exhausting role to play. You are on call 24 hour a day, often serving as the lifeline for someone you love and care for deeply. From bathing to preparing meals to engaging in simple mental and physical activities with those in your care, the days can often feel long, tiring and even lonely. Our team of expert caregivers at Carefor has come together to compile this essential resource guide to help those of you pouring your hearts and souls and hours into helping the seniors in your life feel supported, loved and honoured.

Self-Care Tips for Caregivers

1. Keep to a schedule to manage your days and time and daily to-do lists
2. Ask for (and accept) help from family members, friends or in home care services so you don’t burn out
3. Stay active even if it means just taking short walks a few times a day
4. Reduce and manage your own stress with techniques such as yoga, meditation and breathwork
5. Connect with others and speak candidly about how you are feeling in your role as a caregiver. If the feelings become overwhelming, consult a therapist for additional support.
6. Stay present and live in the moment. As a caregiver, we know that any moment could be the last, and reminding ourselves of the value of each minute spent with our loved ones can help us find peace of mind.
7. Start a gratitude journal and try to write down at least one thing you are grateful for each day.
8. Take a break and do something you love.

Fighting the Guilt of Taking a Break as a Caregiver

Carefor Day Program Team Leader Carolyn Puderer understands the difficulties of being a caregiver, which is why our respite programs exist. During this period of social isolation, caregivers that were once receiving respite every now and then are now working round-the-clock again. 

“Self-compassion is important,” Carolyn stresses. “Give yourself a break, and don’t shy away from your feelings because they will bottle up and contribute to more stress. We’re in unprecedented times. We all need a break every now and then. So, find something they enjoy and step away, don’t feel guilty, and go find that time for yourself because you’re only able to provide the best care if you’re healthy.”

Keep in mind, doing nothing can also be productive because it gives you time to stop and recharge, otherwise you might experience caregiver burnout.

How to Know it is time to send your loved one to a retirement home

Whether you’ve been caregiving for a few days, a few months or a few years, there are some surefire signs when it is time to let go of your responsibility and send your loved one to a retirement home.

1. The senior is unsafe at home alone and/or unable to eat, use the restroom, walk, and perform basic tasks independently
2. You and your family are unavailable or overwhelmed with your responsibilities
3. Medications are being missed or skipped altogether
4. You or the senior are experiencing social isolation, depression, or addiction
5. The seniors’ living space is in disarray and the senior can no longer practice hygiene
6. Mobility issues, memory or other mental and physical conditions are worsening
7. The senior is getting into dangerous situations when left alone at home (oven on, falls, etc)
8. At home care simply is not working for you and your family
9. You are feeling drained, resentful, and exhausted trying to perform caregiving tasks

Easing the Transition to Retirement Living

Moving and change are never easy, especially in the later years of life when one has resided in their home for a long time. Many seniors, alongside their family members, struggle with the transition to retirement living. Here are some tried and true ways that caregivers can help make the switch to retirement living easier on the seniors they love and care for.

1. Include your loved one in making the decision in the first place, allowing them to feel a sense of control over the choice made.
2. Take a tour of the facility together with your family member and even ask about a trial stay for a few nights.
3. Personalize the space with items, photographs and things that make the senior feel at home
4. Get to know the staff at the retirement facility with your senior and don’t be afraid to ask questions as needed.
5. Attend social and recreational events with your senior family member at the retirement facility in the beginning and encourage them to continue attending so they can build community and make friends.
6. Be patient. Transitions are difficult but worthwhile and the benefits of living in a retirement home far outweigh the drawbacks.

 

Caregivers are the lifeline of our society. Their patience, compassion and love bring light and joy to the lives of their loved ones. But it is a hard job, and when it becomes to taxing, physically or mentally, it is important to know that there are other options available. Carefor provides a safe, supportive, and loving environment for seniors at an affordable rate. Contact our team today to learn how we can help take the load off of your shoulders info@carefor.ca.

Senior Winter Safety Guide

Every year when the weather turns, seniors face a greater risk of everything from hypothermia to slips and falls to car accidents. This senior winter safety guide is an essential resource for anyone over 65 and caregivers for our senior population.

Part 3: How to Prevent Slips and Falls in Winter Weather

These icy and snowy conditions put us all at high risk of slipping and falling. Occupational Therapists recommend routine exercise year-round to help with stability and balance to reduce falls, but there are some other important precautions you can take, or if you are a caregiver, you can provide for your senior loved ones.

• Ensure that all walkways are clear before you walk. Beware of wet pavements that could be iced over.
• Shovel away snow and salt your walkways at home or hire someone to do it regularly so you can rest assured when icy days surprise you.
• Wear boots with non-skid soles – this will prevent you from slipping.
• If you use a cane, remember to replace the rubber tip (before it is worn smooth)
• Try out an ice pick-like attachment that fits onto the end of the cane for additional traction.
• Clean up clutter on your front porch or yard so that the route from your home to your car or sidewalk is clear and safe all year round.
• Consider carrying some kitty litter or sand in a bag to take with you on your walk and toss on the icy ground in front of you.
• Always bring a cell phone with you so should a fall occur; you can call for help.

If a fall does happen, stay calm. Do not get up right away or let anyone help you up immediately as this could pose risk of further injury. Take a few moments to assess how you are feeling, then if you can safely move, roll to one side, bend your knees towards your body and push yourself up with your arms. If you’re unable to or feel as though it’s unsafe to stand up, call someone or ask a passerby to call for help.

If you feel like you or your loved one requires more regular support to stay safe in the winter, it might be time to consider retirement living, where shoveling, salting, and safety precautions are taken care for you. Contact our team today to learn more about the transition to retirement living.