Drive around most cities and towns in Canada and you’ll pass by a variety of retirement homes with enchanting names. Why does one cost more than another? Some provide seniors with a basic lifestyle; others provide an exceptional quality of life. To see what this means in a concrete way in one location — Whitby, Ontario — you can examine how the premium lifestyle offered at Amica Whitby compares with another Whitby retirement home that charges less. There’s no doubt that both places promise caring staff and a friendly community of peers. Amica offers more choice, flexibility and service for seniors interested in maintaining their standard of living as they age.
Location
Basic senior living:
- May be located in the suburbs or outskirts of a city or town near most amenities
Amica premium senior living:
- Typically located in prime locations and established neighbourhoods near most amenities
Building Design
Basic senior living:- Basic materials, finishes and fixtures
- Practical furniture and decor
Amica premium senior living:
- Higher-quality building materials and finishes such as solid wood, brick
- Elegant furniture and design
Dining Room
Basic senior living:
- Placemats, basic tableware
Amica premium senior living:
- White table linens, china
- Professionally dressed and attentive service staff
- Snacks and refreshments always available in the self-serve bistro
- Meals can be taken in the dining room, bistro, patio or as takeout
Sample Menus
Basic senior living:
Breakfast
- Blueberry French toast with bacon
- Eggs cooked to order
- Mixed fruit
Lunch
- Garden salad
- Meat loaf
- Cabbage rolls
- Mixed vegetables
Supper
- Tomato soup
- Chicken Caesar salad
- Cheese and green onion biscuit
Desserts at lunch and dinner
- Lime gelatin salad
- Saskatoon berry pie
Amica premium senior living:
Breakfast
- Choice of 11 options including pastries, fruit, yogurt, eggs with bacon, sausage or ham, waffles, pancakes, cold cereals, oatmeal porridge, cream of wheat, etc.
Lunch
- 3 daily specials including chicken vegetable soup, citrus spinach salad with grilled chicken breast and candied pecans, or prime rib au jus
- Choose from à la carte items such as salads, sandwiches, sirloin beef burgers, etc.
Dinner
- 3 daily specials including freshly made soup or salad plus choice roast beef tenderloin or pan-seared rainbow trout
- Choose from à la carte items such as BBQ chicken, pasta Bolognese, grilled salmon, etc.
Desserts at lunch and dinner
- Freshly baked cookies
- Pie of the day
- Bread pudding
- Fruit sorbets/ice cream
- Fresh fruit salad
- Variety of diabetic choices
Amenities
Basic senior living:
- Resident lounge with fireplace
- Billiards lounge/game room
- Salon and barber shop
- Chapel
- Computer room with internet
- Fitness/exercise equipment
- Large-screen TV lounge
- Library
- Laundry facilities
- Private dining room
- Common kitchen
- Outdoor seating and paths
Amica premium senior living:
- 3 main-floor lounges with fireplace, board games, etc.
- Self-serve bistro for snacks
- Fully licensed pub with billiards
- Saltwater pool
- Fitness centre
- Home theatre room
- Library and business centre with internet
- Craft kitchen
- Beauty salon and spa
- Dedicated dining room, lounge and terrace for assisted living residents
- Private dining room
- Gardener’s greenhouse
- Guest suite available for out-of-town guests
- Corner store
- Patio for outdoor gatherings and BBQs
Services
Basic senior living:
- Weekly housekeeping
- Scheduled transportation
- 24-hour staff
- Emergency alert system
Amica premium senior living:
- Daily and weekly housekeeping
- On-the-Go bus for shopping and excursions
- 24-hour on-site concierge
- 24-hour nurse and wellness team
- Scheduled visits from local specialty health services (physician, audiologist, etc.)
- Group fitness programs such as walking club, exercises classes
- Personalized wellness program tailored to each resident’s social, physical, intellectual and care/support goals
- Brain fitness programs designed to meet each resident’s goals and interests
- Flexible, enhanced care available in case health/support needs change
Sample Activities
Basic senior living:
- Fall-prevention class
- Carpet bowling
- Bean bag toss
- Trivia
- Bingo
- Euchre
- Knitting
- Arts and crafts
Amica premium senior living:
- Cooking demonstrations
- Aqua fit classes
- Live performances by musicians, dancers or guest speakers
- Social gatherings, celebrations and themed parties
- Trivia, card games
- Painting classes, garden club
Possible bus outings
Basic senior living:
- Walmart
- Local plaza
- Local farm
- LCBO/pharmacy
- Lunch and movie outing
Amica premium senior living:
- Shopping
- Blue Jays games
- Casino visit
- Boat tours
- Lunch, movie or theatre outings
You'll be surrounded by great amenities, flexible dining, activities and personalized support at Amica residences. Book your personal visit today.