Respite care for Toronto seniors
Learn more about senior caregiving near you
Find a list of retirement homes
Toronto caregivers and families seeking respite care for seniors (often Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers) have several options including the following:
- Home care services hired on an hourly basis offer short term alleviation of caregiver stress
- Adult day programs offer hourly or short-term relief of caregivers, with programs that help seniors exercise their minds and otherwise get dedicated nursing care, along with any other help needed with activities of daily living (ADLs).
- A short stay (even a trial stay) in a retirement care facility presents your loved one with round-the clock care in an environment dedicated to senior care and/or memory care.
List of respite care providers in Toronto
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The Briton House
Family-owned and operated, the Briton House is dedicated to the highest standards of service. Offering a full continuum of care, a variety of amenities and suites, home-cooked meals, and a 15,000 sq. ft. indoor garden.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Greenview Seniors Residence - Metta Lifestyles
At Greenview Residence, we offer a complete range of care services in a welcoming environment. Whether it's our compassionate staff, fresh homemade meals, or exciting and engaging activities, you will truly feel at home.
Lifestyle Options: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Queens Estate Retirement Residence - Metta Lifestyles
At Queens Estate, we offer a complete range of care services in a welcoming environment. Whether it's our compassionate staff, fresh homemade meals, or exciting and engaging activities, you will truly feel at home.
Lifestyle Options: Assisted Living, Memory Care
The Village of Humber Heights
The Village of Humber Heights in Etobicoke offers different levels of service from independent apartments with meals to assisted living to long-term care.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care
Forestview Retirement Residence
Forestview Retirement Residence is North York's newest seniors' residence. We offer Independent Lifestyle and Full Service Assisted Living Accommodations and Services, plus Short Term and Respite Stays.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Delmanor Wynford
A full service 5-star retirement community centrally located in Toronto - features extensive common areas, a rooftop putting green and a variety of other amenities catering to today's active seniors.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Canterbury Place Retirement Residence
Canterbury Place offers a variety of suites styles in an elegant condo-like building for active adults & those needing assistance. We offer a unique healthcare program for our residents including palliative care.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Delmanor Prince Edward
Situated in a treed ravine setting overlooking the Humber River, Delmanor Prince Edward provides vistas that vary from the serenity of the adjacent valley to the resplendence of the Toronto downtown skyline!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Hazelton Place Retirement Residence
Luxury and quality is in every corner of Hazelton from its lobby to its inviting Bistro & Bar. Offering amenities and services, Hazelton makes it easy for you to define and enjoy your lifestyle.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Parkland on Eglinton West
Parkland on Eglinton West offers Lifestyle Apartments, All-Inclusive Lifestyle and Supportive Lifestyle options for seniors. Parkland makes it easy for you to do more of what you love!
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
New Horizons Tower
From gracious dining to new suites and lounges, residents are enjoying the new management and upgrades found at 1140 Bloor Street West, in the Heart of Bloordale Village.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Communities below are just outside of Toronto Proper
McCowan Retirement Residence - Metta Lifestyles
McCowan Retirement Residence is a vibrant and family oriented retirement home located in Scarborough. With team members who have been here since we opened in 2004, you can expect a warm welcome and a feeling of home.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Sifton - Erinview
Located in the heart of Mississauga, Erinview offers an atmosphere of worry-free, comfortable living with personalized support in the presence of good friends.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Aspira Bolton Mills Retirement Living
A short drive from the Nashville Conservation Reserve and surrounded by golf courses, Aspira Bolton Mills is perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
The Village of Erin Meadows
Mississauga's unique continuum of care featuring a vibrant Main Street with Independent Living Suites, Retirement Apartments, Full Service Suites, Assisted Care, Memory Care and Long Term Care.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Winchester Glen Retirement Community
Your home at Winchester Glen will offer an active, independent lifestyle in a senior-friendly community. You will enjoy a private suite with amazing amenities, convenient services & daily activities at your doorstep!
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living
The Village of Taunton Mills
The Village of Taunton Mills in Whitby presents several levels of service from seniors' apartments with full kitchens, retirement apartments with meals and services to memory care, assisted living and long-term care.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Retirement Suites By The Lake
Part of Scarborough history - located in the Bluffs/Beaches neighbourhood, where the White Castle Inn used to stand. Respite recovery, trial stays and winter retreats are available.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Shepherd Terrace
Shepherd Terrace offers a variety of independent and assisted living suites within the renowned Shepherd Village. With its long history of providing caring service you’ll love the amenities and the excellent services.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Scarborough Retirement Residence
Scarborough Retirement Residence offers a variety of suites and apartments, with a library, pharmacy, seniors' centre, shopping, theatre and more nearby.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Four Elms Retirement Residence
Four Elms is an elegant Retirement Residence offering the finest in Senior Living. Choose a suite style that is perfect for you and enjoy an active lifestyle, fine dining and the company of good friends.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
VIVA Thornhill Woods
Vaughan's premier all-inclusive rental retirement community! Enjoy bright, spacious suites, modern amenities, delicious dining, and a Team devoted to Making Today Great! for you and your family! Book your tour today!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Delmanor Elgin Mills
Award Winning Delmanor Elgin Mills, has proudly served the Richmond Hill community since 2002.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Richmond Hill Retirement Residence
Richmond Hill Retirement Residence offers full service including meals, housekeeping, active adult, independent and assisted living. Our focus is on maintaining good health, great food, new friends & lots of laughter!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
VIVA Pickering
V!VA Pickering is Durham's premier all-inclusive rental retirement community! Enjoy large suites, great amenities, delicious dining, and a Team devoted to Making Today Great for you and your family! Book your tour today!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Port Credit Residences
Port Credit Residence situated in the Mississauga area offers seniors a luxurious resort-inspired lifestyle. Enjoy an oversized pool, wellness centre, onsite physiotherapy, a movie theatre, library, spa/salon and more!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Livita Parkway Retirement Residence
Our boutique-style residence is designed for people who want to maintain an active independent lifestyle, thrive, participate & enjoy access to our in–house supportive programs, local shopping & community services
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Evergreen Retirement Community
Stylish Mississauga retirement home offering independent, full-service and assisted living lifestyles, featuring a hair salon, onsite bistro and much more.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
The Shores of Port Credit
The Shores is designed for vibrant living with the highest quality of personal care. Amenities include pool, fitness & exercise club, restaurant, bistro & cafe, a golf simulator lounge & wine cellar.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
Southbrook Retirement Residence
Southbrook is all about choices - We celebrate independence in senior living but, are always here to provide assistance when you need it. Southbrook - come be a part of our community, our family and meet new friends!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Bramalea Retirement Residence
Enjoy the luxury of a new community with the conveniences of home, including 3 freshly prepared meals, medication management, 24 hour supervision and a variety of activities.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Parkland on the Glen
Parkland is located at Mississauga and The Collegeway next to the Glenerin Inn. We are surrounded by beautiful green space. For the past 6 years we've been awarded one of the top 3 Retirement Communities in Mississauga.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living
Credit River
Credit River is a 6-storey condo style residence, with an array of well-appointed suite styles to choose from and our highly-skilled health care professionals are available around the clock if you need them.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
VIVA Mississauga
Mississauga's premier all-inclusive rental retirement community. Enjoy bright, spacious suites, modern amenities, delicious dining, and a Team devoted to Making Today Great! for you and your family! Book your tour today!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Livita Queens Avenue Retirement Residence
Nestled in a residential neighbourhood close to shopping, dining & community services, our residence is ideal for seniors who want to relax while pursuing their hobbies & staying active. All suites include full kitchens
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
VIVA Oakville
Now Open! Exclusive membership meets all-inclusive living at Oakville's newest retirement community. V!VA Oakville elevates retirement living to new heights with unmatched amenities, services and style. Tour today!
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Delmanor Glen Abbey
Delmanor Glen Abbey is an award winning Oakville retirement community with beautiful walking paths and outdoor amenities.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Delmanor Aurora
At Delmanor Aurora enjoy extensive amenities including a saltwater swimming pool, fitness centre, ground floor terrace with fireside seating and a rooftop terrace overlooking the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living
Stouffville Creek Retirement Residence
Stouffville Creek is a cozy & comfortable place to call home. Everyone is on a first name basis, and the food is exceptional. A short drive north of Toronto, close to major highways, shops, stores & nature trails.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
The Roxborough Retirement Residence
You'll feel warmth as soon as you walk through the door. The Roxborough Retirement Residence is both elegant and cozy with a dedicated and caring staff that go above and beyond for your well-being and happiness.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living
Parkland Ajax
Parkland Ajax offers independent and supportive options! Beautifully designed spacious suites, exceptional on site amenities and professional staff on site 24/7, Parkland is where you can live your best life!
Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
VIVA Whitby Shores
Enjoy a lakeside lifestyle with modern amenities and a warm, welcoming team ready to meet your every need.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Aspira Lynde Creek Gardens Retirement Living
At Aspira Lynde Creek our goal is to help you live fully, every day.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Holland Gardens
Located in the heart of a vibrant community, Holland Gardens is the perfect place to live, laugh and enjoy life. An exciting community offering a luxurious resort lifestyle, an ideal place for inspired senior living.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care
The Elden of Bradford
Voted Bradford's Favourite Retirement Residence 2 years in a row! This beautiful residence is tailored for the “young-at-heart” senior. In fact, we like to think of it as UN-Retirement Living.
Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living
Family members often "spell each other off" in a caregiving scenario. However, when you get professional respite care, you get professional help.
There are a number of advantages to this:
- You know that your loved one is being cared for by someone with professional training and an understanding of professional techniques such as the Gentle Persuasive Approach.
- You can learn things from the professional caregiver, sharing knowledge, and learning some simple care-giving techniques that will augment what you are doing on your own, and what you yourself know about your parent or loved one.
Respite care is offered as a service of the Ontario Ministry of Health, and is available by contacting your Local Health Integration Network. Your needs will be assessed by a LHIN representative, and all your options will be fully explained. The LHIN defines this type of stay separately from convalescent care, a service also offered by some residences. Learn more about convalescent care in Toronto.
Homes listed here offer respite care stays
A temporary stay in a retirement home offers some distinct advantages including the following:
- Dedicated care facilities. For Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers, a temporary stay in a retirement home can be well-advised, since care homes are increasingly implementing hall and space design that takes into account the needs of dementia sufferers.
- The social aspect of being in a home is also very healthy.
- Activities and therapies offered by some homes including Brain Games and various other activities that encourage interaction with others and do have therapeutic effects that you may not be able to instill in your own home.
- 24 hour nursing care that includes dedicated assisted care with activities of daily living (ADLs).
Home care services with respite care, in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Home care service providers in Toronto offer respite care with a number of important advantages you simply can't find through other means.
These advantages include:
- A social aspect, especially as found in day programs, of which there are several throughout downtown and the rest of the GTA. Social interaction with other seniors can help ease some effects of dementia, for example, and is healthy for a variety of other reasons
- Professionally trained caregiving. In-home personal service workers are certified and professionally trained. They have experience working with other seniors and dementia sufferers.
The Ontario Home Care Association cautions against hiring non-accredited help. Well over half of Ontario families polled are unaware of the dangers of hiring non-professional help; people have hired help based on a too-easy job interview and a few references. Proper caregiving is very difficult and challenging, even dangerous. In many cases, untrained, unqualified people (including family members) are simply not prepared for the difficulties and frustrations of caregiving. In the worst cases, this can lead to unfortunate effects that can include abuse (verbal, even physical). You are well-advised to get professional help instead, and you'll never regret spending a bit of extra money to get respite from professional caregivers.
Respite care for parents or other family members is a wise idea
Respite care can be a much-needed break for caregivers, a time to re-connect with friends and family in a relaxed way. You can also use briefer respite care time to shop, work out or run errands when needed, or just take some time for yourself to do some things you like to do. This is a perfectly reasonable way for you to refresh your strength and energy.
Any expert in this area will counsel you that it is, in fact, smart to take a break so that you can be a better caregiver later, and your loved one can benefit from the best of all possible worlds – availing themselves of tactical professional care when needed while getting loving care from members of their own family. When you "broaden your team" of caregivers, you can learn more from each other and get professional advice from people gaining experience directly with your ailing loved one.
Many others have gone before you, too. Read more about how others have dealt with fatigue, learned lessons and can offer advice to help you deal with caregiving stress.
Resources:
Mississauga LHIN: healthcareathome.ca/mh/en
Toronto LHIN: healthcareathome.ca/torontocentral/en