MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 25, 2012) - (TSX:CSH.UN) More than ever before, seniors are feeling the need to be financially stable. Take Don, for example: like most seniors, he can tell you the exact price he paid for his first house and the year in which he paid off his mortgage with pride. Unfortunately, as a result of a recent knee surgery - in addition to his wife Dorothy also beginning to slow down due to her own health issues - he's noticed that managing their home has begun to feel like more work than ever.

When Don and Dorothy's adult children noticed that maintaining a home was becoming too much for their elderly parents, they began encouraging them to seek alternative living options. And although Don was concerned about having enough money to last and leave over for his children, he soon learned that they would rather see their parents enjoy their final years in comfort and knowing that they have help and service close by. That's when they decided to look into a [ retirement residence ].

An affordable retirement solution

For seniors, there are many factors to consider when it comes to retirement living. The most important consideration is housing: it should be affordable in order to remain sustainable for years to come, comfortable - with options for furnishing, housekeeping services and meals - as well as be conveniently located for nearby services. Staying active in the latter years is also imperative, which is why having a diverse array of activities available is also important.

In order to ensure that a retirement home is an affordable choice, Phil McKenzie - Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Chartwell Seniors Housing, Canada's largest owner of retirement residences - suggests that seniors and families ask the following questions:

• What is included in the base packages of the retirement residence, and do their services meet our needs?

• Will the retirement residence tailor their services for the retiree and at what cost?

• Can services be added as needs change?

• Are options available to ensure price certainty?

• How do [ retirement home ] costs compare to paying monthly household expenses on an owned or rented home?

At [ Chartwell Seniors Housing ], you'll discover friendly staff dedicated to making people's lives better. This includes helping with managing anticipated costs, and that's why Chartwell Senior Housing has introduced the Payment Options Program (POP) in many retirement homes to provide you with financial certainty.

In fact, after evaluating their choices, Don and Dorothy moved into a Chartwell retirement home near their daughter and her family. Recently they even celebrated their 55^th anniversary with a family party in the residence's private dining room. And the best part was that a number of their new friends from the residence stopped in to offer their congratulations. In the end, Don and Dorothy's choice to live in a Chartwell Seniors Housing residence was not only an investment towards an easier life, but also a better quality of life.

Contact your local Chartwell Seniors Housing residence by phone or email at [ info@chartwellreit.ca ], and discover why we're the choice for you.

Contributing Sources

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