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Respite care in Durham Region

Find respite care stays in Oshawa, Pickering, Whitby, and Ajax

Below, find retirement homes that offer respite stays for seniors and caregiving families in Durham Region, including the cities of Ajax, Brock, Clarington, Oshawa, Pickering, Scugog, Uxbridge, and Whitby.

The benefits of respite care in a Durham retirement home

Here’s why respite care in a retirement home is the best solution for many seniors: 

Retirement homes’ staff are trained for this, and the setting is ideal for it. Retirement homes are uniquely comfortable and comforting for seniors. Staff are trained to provide care, of course, and many communities include medical staff. Retirement homes with dementia care, for example, have staff who are trained and experts in dealing with the behaviours associated with dementia. Caregivers can learn from watching them, as well, and gain new insight into how to care for their elderly loved one. 

The professional environment of a retirement home gives families peace of mind around the clock. There’s no need to call, check, or coordinate people (as you would with home care.) It’s an opportunity to take a complete break (even a vacation) from giving care. Use this time to give your full attention to kids or other matters that need your attention. We recommend you make a habit of this. To qualify, you need an OHIP card and a good reason. (A vacation counts). Learn more about this from Ontario.ca. 

A respite stay in a retirement home is a window into what’s possible. Your senior loved one may have negative preconceptions about seniors’ homes. Firsthand experience with caring staff, fine amenities, and a community of like-minded peers can be an eye-opener.

What to know about respite care costs

Respite care in a retirement home like those above costs $150 to $400 per day depending on the communities’ amenities and base costs. Of course, consult them for exact rates. 

Adult day programs are another option to give yourself a break. They offer structured activities and supervision, costing up to $200 a day (or perhaps more). 

Respite care from a local home care company entails someone coming into the home to provide care. They start at about $45 an hour, but again consult with companies listed above. 

More about short stays in Durham Region retirement homes

Respite care is just one kind of retirement home short stay, although the term is mistakenly used as a catch-all for others. 

You can take a convalescent stay in a retirement home in Ajax, Pickering, and Whitby after you’ve had surgery. It’s ideal, for example, if you’ve had hip surgery. Professionally trained retirement home care staff can help you. Many retirement homes have medical staff on hand or other clinical aids available. You’ll likely be surprised at how fun and convenient this is. 

A trial stay is a one- or two-week stay that gives seniors an insider’s look at the life of the retirement home. A respite care stay could, in effect, be a trial stay that helps caregivers and seniors move forward into retirement home living. You see all the benefits of retirement homes for yourself. 

Guest stays are one other type of short stay. 

More resources to help you research options

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