An information session on Moose Jaw’s community living options for people 55+ was held at the Cosmo Senior Citizens’ Centre on May 11, complete with coffee, snacks, and knowledgeable staff answering any and all questions.
“There’s always a need in Moose Jaw for senior living options, but sometimes to go from place to place is a lot of work,” explained Tricia Oblander, who organized the event and was there representing Atria Mulberry Estates. “I was trying to think of a common space where everyone could come together to share information, and other people in the community could come and learn.”
The information session is the first one in the city that Oblander is aware of, and she’s hoping it will be a biannual event — one in the spring, one in the fall.
The other community living businesses at the event were:
- Aspira West Park Crossing
- Revera The Bentley
- Points West Living Moose Jaw
- Marcie’s Private Care Home
- Aspira Riverbend Crossing Memory Care in Regina
- Capilano Court Retirement Villa
- Chateau St. Michael’s
- Crescent Park Villa
“A lot of the time, it’s a real emergency crunch-type situation,” said Shelley Watson with Chateau St. Michael’s. “So, all of a sudden, your elderly loved one is in a crisis situation and they’re in the hospital, and you have to figure out where to place your loved one.”
Bonita Allen, Watson’s co-worker, agreed, saying that emergency calls looking for information and placement are an almost daily occurrence for community living sites.
“It just happened to me again,” she said. “Someone called me on Tuesday for a tour, called back on Wednesday to say their relative was being released from the hospital on Thursday, and we rushed everything to get them in.”
Allen and Watson said they hope people take advantage of information sessions before the crisis comes. It’s very stressful to have to figure everything out while also dealing with an emotional situation at the hospital, they agreed, so being ready and having a plan is essential.
There are five levels of care at senior community living facilities. Levels 1 and 2 are considered Independent Living, levels 3 and 4 are Assisted Living, and level five is palliative, and the priority at that point is to make the client as comfortable as possible.
It is important to find facilities that have the right level of care — Chateau St. Michael’s, for example, can care for residents at any level, while Mulberry Estates and Points West Living are strictly level 1 and 2 independent living.
When asked why people might choose independent living facilities over staying in their homes, Jen Montgomery with Points West explained the social and safety aspects are a big draw.
“You get to come down and socialize, there’s live music twice a month, you can visit and make friends, and then it’s peace of mind for their children, too. They know their parents are in a place where somebody’s there 24/7, if they need anything it’s at the push of a button on their security pendant.”
Oblander advises potential clients to check out their options thoroughly before making a decision. Some homes, like Aspira Riverbend Crossing in Regina, have care programs especially for residents suffering from forms of dementia. For those looking for smaller communities, Marcie Private Care Home is a community living option run out of two Moose Jaw houses, for more of an intimate bed-and-breakfast feel.
“Try to gather all the information you can from each community, tour each community, go and visit, check out things like the food and activities,” Oblander said. “Make sure you know what they have to offer, and make your decision from there.”
[The Moose Jaw Express publishes a widely read 55+ lifestyle magazine with a complete guide to products, services, and activities for seniors in the Moose Jaw area, including details on community living arrangements. Read the Mature Lifestyles publication online at moosejawexpress.com/mature-lifestyles-55-guide-2023, or drop in to our office at 468 High St. W to pick up a free copy.]
