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Q. What is Retirement Living?
A. Retirement Living encompasses a broad spectrum of living situations from Independent Living, where there is minimal additional services, to Assisted Living, where additional services are provided to meet increasing levels of care. Retirement Living does not refer to nursing homes or long-term care facilities. Retirement Living facilities are not funded or regulated by the provincial government.

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Q. What is nursing home living?
A. Nursing home living is a setting where skilled medical care is provided by technically trained medical staff in an institutional setting. Numerous studies indicate that one-fifth to one-third of nursing home residents could be appropriately cared for in a residential Assisted Living setting.

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Q. What is Independent Living?
A. Independent Living is ideal if you enjoy an active life style but at the same time want to be free of the burdens and responsibilities of owning and maintaining a home. While intermediate and skilled personal care services, meal services, housekeeping and laundry services are available at INSPIRIT, you live independently in your apartment. INSPIRIT'S focus is on enabling you to maximize and maintain your independence and privacy. You will also be able to choose from a wide range of opportunities for active involvement, personal growth, and enjoyment.

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Q. What is Assisted Living?
A. Assisted Living is a special combination of housing, meals, supportive services, personalized assistance and healthcare designed to meet your needs if you require assistance with activities of daily living. There are a variety of beautiful, comfortable apartments from which to choose. INSPIRIT does all the work so you can concentrate on your free time and pursuing your interests. Supportive services are available 24-hours a day, to meet scheduled and unscheduled needs. Services are provided in a way that promotes maximum dignity and independence. Assisted Living encourages the involvement of your family, neighbours, and friends.

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Q. Who lives in Assisted Living facilities?
A. Often older people find themselves in need of some assistance with some of their daily living activities but do not require the level of care in a nursing home. Assisted Living facilities are the alternative. These communities provide you with an environment designed to help you maintain or recover an independent lifestyle when daily activities become increasingly difficult.

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Q. If I am independent, why would I choose to live at INSPIRIT?
A. INSPIRIT RESIDENCES combines the positive feelings of Independent Living with the services provided in an Assisted Living facility. While the services of an Assisted Living facility may not be needed at the present time, you may be able to envision a need for these services in the future. If this is the case, INSPIRIT is the place for you. You will be able to enjoy the freedom of living in your own apartment, while at the same time have the security of knowing that you have access to all needed services without having to change your place of residence. Medical assistance, the dining room, banking services, business office, the library, the Hair Salon, along with many other services are all available "right down the hall."

INSPIRIT offers you new creative outlets to form new friendships and to find more time to cultivate relationships with family and friends. You can pursue your own interests while the staff performs the tasks of cleaning, cooking, teaching etc. Many seniors, who have in fact, been isolated in their own homes, now have the opportunity to develop friendships in the INSPIRIT neighbourhood. Your days can be filled with companionship as you enjoy cultural, social and educational activities. You can do as little or as much as you like. Should your needs ever change, or should you ever decide to take advantage of the available services, the full continuum of care and services will be available to you. INSPIRIT'S focus is on wellness and our goal is to provide you with a variety of preventive care programs such as health screening or nutritional counseling. At INSPIRIT, we have a very special outlook. We try to precisely tailor the services you use to your daily needs. You and your family have the comfort of knowing you will have as much help, or as little, as you need, so you can maintain the dignified and independent lifestyle you cherish, without having to worry about depending on family or friends.

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Q. Can I afford to live in INSPIRIT?
A. Generally speaking, if you are an average homeowner, with some investments or pension income, you can afford to live at INSPIRIT. INSPIRIT fees are competitive with other facilities in London, but for value on the dollar, the spacious independent apartment living with the option to use the available services as needed cannot be beat.

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Q. Who is welcome at INSPIRIT RESIDENCES?
A. INSPIRIT welcomes people of all races, religions, sexes and national origins.

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Q. How long can I stay at INSPIRIT?
A. Every effort is made to ensure that you can stay in your home in INSPIRIT RESIDENCES as long as possible. When emergency or continual medical care is required INSPIRIT will discuss the situation with you and your family to determine if a more appropriate setting for residence is required. By working with INSPIRIT'S medical care staff, arrangements can be made to co-ordinate the internal care services with external home care services to enable you to stay at INSPIRIT and make your days peaceful and worry free.

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Q. What is INSPIRIT trying to do?
A. INSPIRIT is trying to "Do unto others as we would have them do unto us". We are trying to enhance the quality of each resident's life and to encourage the holistic growth of each spirit.

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Q. What happens to my pet when I leave my home to come to INSPIRIT?
A. Pets are welcome! How can anyone ask you to leave your lifelong friend behind? We just ask that each person respects the needs of all of the other residents and continues to have pride in the facility that we all call home.

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Q. What type of agreement do I have to sign with INSPIRIT?
A. You will sign a Resident's Agreement, which is a legal contract between you and INSPIRIT RESIDENCES. It sets out what has been agreed to with respect to the accommodation and services that will be provided to yourself and what rate you will pay to INSPIRIT RESIDENCES. As provided for under the Tenant Protection Act (TPA), there is a five (5) day period after signing the Agreement, during which the Agreement can be cancelled by yourself without penalty.

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Q. Are INSPIRIT'S rates subject to rent control?
A. All retirement homes are subject to Rent Control. You should be aware that the rate protection only applies to the accommodation portion of the daily/monthly rate. The service component of the rate is not regulated by the government.

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Q. What is INSPIRIT'S rate increase policy?
A. If there is to be a rate increase to either the accommodation or service component of the rate, you will be notified in writing ninety (90) before the rate increase will take affect.

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Q. What is INSPIRIT'S fire safety plan?
A. When you come to INSPIRIT RESIDENCES to live, you will be advised of the fire safety plan. Twice a year there will be a fire safety awareness drill when we will discuss evacuation procedures. Visits by the Fire Department will be arranged to encourage each of us to know what we should do in case of a fire emergency. To ensure our safety, all common areas have sprinkler systems and all apartments are equipped with smoke alarms.

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Q. Will INSPIRIT prepare special meals to meet the demands of my diet?
A. Absolutely! The Executive chef and dietician will sit down with you and discuss your dietary needs at the present and in the future should they change.

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Q. Can I smoke in INSPIRIT RESIDENCES?
A. This is your home. If you chose to smoke in your own apartment, we only ask that you do so carefully and in a manner that does not infringe on your neighbour's rights to a smoke-free environment. We ask that there be NO SMOKING in the common areas of the building.

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Q. What is INSPIRIT'S emergency communication system?
A. All apartments are equipped with pull cords; in the living room, bedroom and bathrooms. Should you need emergency assistance pull the cord and a call is made directly to the office where there is 24-hour coverage. INSPIRIT staff will respond immediately.

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Q. Can I bring personal articles and furniture into INSPIRIT?
A. INSPIRIT is Independent Living not compartmentalization. INSPIRIT RESIDENCES is your home. If you can fit it into your apartment, bring it. That's our motto. We want you to feel "at home".

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Q. Can you tell me what amenities and community services are nearby within walking distance?
A. Food stores, drug stores, banks and many other services are all available within walking distance of INSPIRIT. Transportation services are available to take residents on shopping trips as well. Transportation to individual appointments such as medical care can be arranged with the Recreation Director. INSPIRIT RESIDENCES is on the London Transit Commission's bus route which makes the city of London accessible to everyone who wants to do it on their own.

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Q. What happens if my care needs to increase?
A. You will not realize it but your care needs are constantly being assessed by the staff at INSPIRIT. If staff notices any changes or you express a need for a review of your service needs we will sit down with you to evaluate the changes and develop a plan for services to meet those needs.

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Q. Can I try INSPIRIT for a trial period?
A. YES! This is a good idea. Try INSPIRIT for a week or two at a minimal fee and see if it feels like home.

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Q. How do I express any concerns or get involved?
A. INSPIRIT encourages you to join our Resident's Council. This group will meet regularly to address any concerns you may have. Our Program Director is very open to any ideas or interests you might have and assessment following outings is important.

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Q. What living options are available to me when I do not want the responsibility of maintaining a private residence any longer?
A. Until INSPIRIT opened you had basically three options: a retirement home, a condominium or an apartment. The first option requires the resident give up much of their independence while the second and third options necessitate a second move when assistance with the activities of daily living are needed. INSPIRIT gives you a fourth option. It gives you the best of both worlds; a spacious apartment that permits independent living coupled with the availability of services to assist you with the activities of daily living. This option eliminates the need for a second move and allows you to stay in your INSPIRIT home.

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Q. Where is Inspirit Residences?
A. Inspirit Residences is located in Old South London, where there are established shops, churches and other community services close by. Two major grocery stores, three banks, a post office, two pharmacies as well as physician and chiropractor offices are all within walking distance. Westmount Mall is 5 minutes away by car and the London Transit Commission's buses stop at the door. If medical services are needed the London Health Sciences Centre is only 5 minutes away.

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Q. Is there a difference between the design of an Inspirit Residence apartment and the design of other seniors' apartment buildings?
A. Yes, there is a huge difference. INSPIRIT is architecturally designed for easy living. INSPIRIT offers four unique apartment selections on each floor with space ranging from 950 square feet to 1190 square feet. Standard features include spacious living/dining rooms, modern kitchens with three appliances, individually controlled heating and air conditioning, large private balconies at grade level, and an ensuite laundry with washer and dryer. Consistent living feature include easy to operate levered door handles, raised electrical outlets, lower window sills for greater visibility and more natural light, wider corridors, and doorways wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs.

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Q. What is INSPIRIT'S admission criteria?
A. INSPIRIT'S admission criteria are being developed at this time by our Registered Nurse. They will be communicated as soon as they are agreed upon. While the specifics are not yet known, before you accepted into INSPIRIT you will meet with the Registered Nurse, the Chef, the Program Director and the Manager to ensure your needs will be addressed and you will be comfortable at INSPIRIT

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Q. What is INSPIRIT'S discharge criteria?
A. INSPIRIT'S discharge criteria are being developed at this time by our Registered Nurse. They will be communicated as soon as they are agreed upon. While the specifics are not yet known, they will involve a full conversation with you and your family to ensure you are going to a place that can meet your needs.

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