As healthcare professionals at The Alexander, Muskoka’s newest retirement community, we’re often asked by potential residents and their families whether assisted living is the right step for them or their parents.
Before answering, we’ll always ask plenty of questions of our own to help determine the correct response. We’ll also take the time to explain exactly what assisted living entails. Only then will we know for certain whether assisted living is the right route for them and if The Alexander could be a good fit.
And, of course, Muskoka has its own set of unique considerations to take into account. Seasonal weather patterns and rural distances may make unsupervised living risky for some Muskoka seniors, not to mention raising the potential for loneliness. But it’s certainly an option that’s increasing in popularity in Cottage Country, with local searches for “Assisted Living in Muskoka” rising steadily as local families look for options that shorten winter isolation without severing those all-important ties to one’s community.
So, what exactly is assisted living? In Ontario, assisted living sits somewhere between the independence of a private home and the clinical oversight of a nursing facility, offering apartment-style accommodation backed by 24-hour personal support. It’s a concept that took root in North America in the early 1990s and has expanded rapidly, and by 2024, the United States alone counted more than 32,000 licensed communities with almost 1.2 million beds.
In Canada, the growth curve follows the same trajectory, driven by record longevity and smaller household sizes. In fact, Statistics Canada projects that seniors will make up as much as one-quarter of the country’s population by 2030, up from 18.9 percent in 2023, adding up to a sustained demand for housing that combines autonomy with help on demand.
Ontario’s Retirement Homes Act provides the regulatory framework for this housing option, emphasizing resident choice, safety standards, and transparent care agreements as fundamentals. Within this framework, private operators like The Alexander customize service bundles so that residents pay only for the practical help they actually use, from medication reminders to assistance with dressing, all while continuing to live in self-contained suites.
While this flexibility explains the sector’s popularity, it also means quality and culture will vary depending upon the retirement home. In cottage country Muskoka, where 28.3 percent of residents are already 65 or older, local availability can make the difference between aging within a preferred and known community, to having to leave that community altogether.
Unlike long-term-care homes funded by the province, assisted-living residences like The Alexander operate on a private-pay basis. Residents sign month-to-month leases, bring their own furniture, and control their daily routines. Support staff step in only for agreed-upon tasks such as bathing, mobility, continence care, creating a hybrid environment that preserves dignity while preventing small health issues from becoming crises.
Is assisted living a popular option for retirees? In short, yes. Industry analysts note that while retirement home occupancy across Canada dipped to 86 percent during the Covid pandemic, it’s rebounding as Baby Boomers age into the market, encouraged by new state-of-the-art developments that incorporate hospitality-level amenities.
At the same time, higher acuity levels among incoming residents have prompted operators to expand assisted-living floors so that couples with different care requirements can remain under one roof. And, of course, newer facilities like The Alexander are constructed with these needs in mind.
Under the Retirement Homes Act, operators must disclose fees, staffing ratios, and emergency procedures before a resident can move in. Annual inspections verify compliance, and residents retain the right to manage their property, choose their physicians, and form resident councils that influence programming.
All of this, of course, is good for families researching assisted living in Ontario. Not only do these baseline protections make it easier to compare locations based on safety and amenities, but it also allows for comparisons in terms of culture and cost.
Typical packages will include three daily meals, weekly housekeeping, and an activity calendar covering gentle fitness, recreational activities, social events, and escorted outings. Personal Support Workers (PSWs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RNs) are on-site around the clock to handle unscheduled needs, while an RN is also tasked with overseeing care plans and liaising with external healthcare providers. Because the model is social rather than institutional, residents can downsize support when health improves or add services during recovery from illness or surgery.
Opened in 2024, The Alexander in Gravenhurst integrates 14 purpose-built assisted-living suites into a 102-unit facility that also offers independent and memory-care floors. Each suite includes a walk-in shower, kitchenette, individual climate controls, and an emergency call system.
Base fees cover chef-prepared meals, housekeeping, and scheduled transport to downtown Gravenhurst, plus a wellness team on hand to deliver tailored support ranging from mobility assistance to medication management.
Residents also enjoy access to a fitness studio, therapy room, and landscaped terraces overlooking Muskoka Bay, allowing care plans to emphasize active living as well as clinical oversight. Other perks include an on-site hair salon and a convivial bar area where residents congregate for regular “happy hour” treats and other celebrations.
Selecting an appropriate assisted living provider in Muskoka ultimately comes down to finding a residence that can scale services as health needs evolve, all while fostering a strong sense of community.
If it sounds like this is a good option for you or your loved ones, make a point of touring multiple properties, sample meals, and review fee schedules in detail to ensure it’s a good fit.
When the right match is found, assisted living delivers a balance of independence, safety, and social connection that lets older adults remain in the places they know and among the people they feel most comfortable being around.
Leonard Ojha is a healthcare preofessional and Founder of The Alexander Muskoka Residence. His career began as a registered nurse, where he worked in a hospital setting within various specialities from rehab, neuro-trauma, hemodialysis, and intensive care before transitioning to managing a large ambulatory care program at St. Michael’s hospital. Leonard then completed his Executive Masters in Business from the Richard Ivey School of Business.
