Choosing the perfect retirement residence is an important decision, one that requires careful consideration and a wealth of information. At Lanark Lifestyles, we understand that embarking on the journey of choosing the right community for yourself or your loved ones involves many factors. To ensure you make an informed choice, we’ve put together a list of questions to ask during your tour of any retirement residence you visit and how we would answer these questions as they pertain to Lanark Lifestyles!
Feel free to print this off and use it as a checklist when touring any potential residence to help you make the best decision for yourself!
Location and Convenience:
Are there any amenities or services close by?
Lanark Lifestyles is located at the end of Gore Street and is within walking distance from downtown Perth (15 minutes). A few steps outside our campus, there is a medical centre that includes a pharmacy, hearing clinic, podiatrist, orthotics store, physiotherapy, and more.
Can you provide information about nearby shopping, dining, and recreational options?
Some of Perth’s best restaurants and diners are only 1km away. If you’re craving a double-double then our local Timmies is close to our residence as well! Perth is rich in culture and steeped in history. There is a lot to discover!
Are there parks, walking paths, or biking trails in close proximity?
Yes! At Lanark Lifestyles we have a 7-acre campus with walking paths and Benchfit. We’re also a 3-minute drive from Conlon Farms, which offers over 50 acres of active green space. Stewart Park is one of the crowning jewels of Perth. Take the time to check it out! With eBikes becoming popular we also have a ton of biking paths near our Luxury Senior Apartments!
Accommodations and Inclusions:
What types of accommodations are available for residents?
Between our retirement community and our luxury apartments, Lanark Lifestyles offers a wide range of options. Our retirement residence (first phase) accommodations have multiple suite layouts available including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite stays while our Luxury Senior Apartment accommodations allow you to remain 100% independent with in-suite laundry and full kitchens.
Are pets allowed?
Pets are absolutely allowed and encouraged at Lanark Lifestyles. We even have a dog-washing station for your furry friends! We embrace the dogs and cats of Lanark Lifestyles and believe they brighten our resident’s days.
Do you offer suites for out-of-town guests?
We do offer hotel suites for out-of-town guests as well as parking. Guests can also access all the amenity spaces as long as they are accompanied by a resident.
Amenities That Make a Difference:
What unique amenities are offered?
Lanark Lifestyles offers many unique amenities that our residents absolutely love. Features include our saltwater pool, putting green, sauna, bocce ball, pickleball, horseshoes, and accessible garden beds!
Are there special programs or membership cards for residents to enjoy exclusive offers?
We have a Lanark Lifestyles community club card where residents within our Lanark Lifestyles community can take advantage of special offers. Think of it like an SPC card for seniors!
Transportation Services:
What transportation options are available for residents?
At the retirement portion of our community, we offer residents transportation to local medical appointments. Lanark Lifestyles plans bus trips to places of interest which all of our seniors have the option to sign up for.
Locally, Lanark Transportation supports seniors with drives and even has a Ride the LT program which does a loop through Perth to local shopping areas!
Understanding Care Needs:
How do you assess and address residents’ varying care needs?
The level of care our seniors receive is based on their unique requirements and needs and those needs change as time goes by.
Sometimes these needs change and this could mean that they may need to transitionto a different care level or floor to get the most appropriate care.
Our trained staff can help assess where you or a loved one would benefit the most. Once a resident is settled into their new routine at Lanark Lifestyles we assess all our new residents to see how well they have adjusted. After this period we can make a more accurate assessment on the care level required. Additionally, assessments are updated at least every six months.
What signs indicate that a resident may need more care or assistance?
We monitor our residents to observe a variety of things, including:
How compliant are they with their medications? Are there any hygiene concerns? Are they putting on fresh clothes every day?
The answers to these types of questions will determine if any changes are required.
Cleanliness and Maintenance:
- What is your cleaning routine for suites and common areas?
Our common spaces are cleaned once every 1-2 days. In the retirement suites, there is weekly cleaning done and daily tidies as required on our care floors.
Engaging Social Life:
How many social activities are typically organized each month?
We have over 100 daily activities per month! This includes everything from knitting club to crossword puzzles to fitness and yoga classes to billiards. We have a large variety of activities for all types of tastes. We encourage our residents to make suggestions for what they’d like to see more of on a continuous basis
Staffing Ratios and Medical Protocol:
What is the resident-to-employee ratio in different care areas?
While our Luxury Senior Apartments are completely independent, our retirement residence has some of the highest resident-to-employee ratios in the industry. They do vary, but our care floor does have a larger number of employees than the more independent floors.
How do you handle medical emergencies?
We have medical staff available, 24/7 to our residents. If there is a medical emergency, there will always be a medical professional to address it. As you tour retirement homes, keep in mind that asking the right questions is crucial to ensuring your or your loved one’s comfort, happiness, and well-being.
Lanark Lifestyles is dedicated to providing a safe, engaging, and supportive environment for our residents. We encourage you to inquire about any aspect of our community that matters to you. The journey to finding the perfect residence is a significant one and we are here to guide you every step of the way.
We invite you to schedule a tour of Lanark Lifestyles and discover firsthand how our community can be the perfect fit for you or your loved one’s retirement journey.
Also read: How to Make the Most of Your Retirement
