We like The O’Neill Centre Long Term Care because of its community, which allows residents to have plenty of activities and people to talk to. This positive culture we saw also provides a safe environment, which we greatly appreciate.

There are plenty of resident programs here to ensure an enriching environment for residents every day. Basically, there are fitness activities, horticultural programs, music clubs, art and creative hobbies, cultural dinners, multi-faith spiritual services, and more.

During our visit, we saw families with pets, which we found because of the visiting pets program. Plus, we saw there are cultural events as well, which is really inclusive and a great way to build a better community.

It’s also nice that this long-term care facility has a nursing team to ensure residents receive plenty of care for medical needs. We learned there’s also an end-of-life program, which will provide a maximized quality of life—something we really appreciate.

The meals are also cooked on-site, which is probably why the quality of the food here is excellent. It was a pleasant surprise that there are always two entree options so residents can choose what they prefer to eat—and the meals won’t be boring.

But it’s just a small-ish facility, so the waiting list can be pretty long. But the location is very accessible since there’s a TTC station nearby.

Chester Village is kind of like a small town because it has all the amenities and so much more. It almost felt like living in a small village, which was nice because of the enrichment it provides.

Once you’re there, you’ll see a village shoppe, a cafe, a beauty and barber shop, a celebration room, and a place of worship for residents to go to. These are really awesome because of how comfortable the residents can be during their long term stay.

Plus, it’s nice that this nursing home can accommodate up to 203 residents. There are shared accommodations, single private rooms, and deluxe suites for couples.

Another thing worth noting is the beautiful enchanted garden for some fresh air, which is fully enclosed for safety and nice to walk in.

We later learned that the garden was specifically designed for individuals with cognitive impairment so they can enjoy the outdoors safely—BBQs are even held here.

But family pets aren’t usually allowed, as you need to send a special request to the CEO first. But it’s nice that there are therapy pets here.

It’s also incredible this place has certified personal support workers, ensuring they are equipped to care for seniors. 

Lastly, this nursing home is very accessible for commuters, which is convenient for families. There’s literally a TTC just outside.

Established in 2004, Lakeside Long Term Care Centre is one of our picks for nursing homes because it provides 24-hour care. It’s also convenient to visit because there’s a TTC just a few blocks away and there’s paid parking on site.

It also has a complete crew, which is very convenient and provides a safe environment for the residents. There are nurses, personal care support staff, therapy staff, and dietary specialists.

We also like that this nursing home can accommodate 128 residents, as there are 80 private rooms and 48 standard rooms. The standard rooms will have two residents sharing a bathroom, but we’re glad that it still has privacy.

Plus, we found that each room is equipped with a call bell. This is worth highlighting because each resident can call the staff for assistance at any time.

Once you’re outside the facility, you’ll be greeted with a landscaped courtyard and terraces where residents can get some Vitamin D. It’s also nice there’s a park just beside the facility for a change of environment.

We did find a tiny bit of a problem—we noticed that the place just needs better maintenance and maybe some upgrades. Good thing it’s fully air-conditioned, so that won’t be a problem in the summer.

Hellenic Home for the Aged has two locations in the GTA: in Toronto and Scarborough. But we find that both offer the same level of quality care to residents.

One thing we noticed upon entering is that this is a very diverse place. It’s actually a predominantly Greek nursing home, but it still accepts anyone from different ethnic backgrounds.

The facility has private, semi-private and basic accommodation, which we like as residents can choose the one they’re most comfortable with (or whichever suits the budget). But what’s awesome is the seniors’ housing.

Basically, the seniors’ housing is kind of like its own community, which made us feel like we were not in a nursing home anymore. There are 225 apartments and there are even below market value units for low-income individuals.

The thing is, there are still medical services at the housing, which is convenient and provides a safe space. We were pleasantly surprised that the building even has a superintendent available 24/7.

We also like that there are plenty of programs to keep residents entertained. During our tour, we found that it’s diverse, as there are sports, social activities, dance and music, pet therapy, baking and cooking, board games, bingo, and exercises.

Our only problem is the tours are only available Monday through Wednesday. So don’t be like us and make the mistake of visiting on a weekend.

Gibson Long Term Care Residence is managed by AgeCare, a company with a mission to provide the best quality of life for its residents. We agree, because once we stepped inside the facility, we were greeted by the friendly staff and a clean environment.

But it would be nice to add a bit more maintenance to the facility because it does look a little old. Nonetheless, it has complete facilities, is well-maintained, and the rooms are bright.

We found that the Gibson facility specializes in long term care, which has 24-hour nursing care and 202 beds. It also has a complete staff, including personal support workers, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, and dietitians.

We found that there are also daily activities, including physical and mental exercises, to keep the mind and body stimulated. We’re glad too see that these are done safely but in a fun way—and we’ve seen seniors excited about these exercises.

But the best part is that families are welcome to visit, day or night. They can even 

participate in the programs, which is very appreciated because it’s a bonding experience.

Finally, we really like that there are plenty of parking spaces here, so that’s no trouble even on weekends. There are bus stops nearby as well, making it commuter-friendly.