Aspira Open House Event

Aspira Retirement Living hosted an open house event yesterday - I checked it out!

Before yesterday I hadn't spent a ton of time in Aspira retirement homes, so I was excited to find out they were hosting a National Open House event on February 22, 2025.

But Aspira, I do have to call out that it's got to be easier for people to know you have an open house going on. If you posted about it on your social media accounts I couldn't find it.

My original plan was to start at Aspira Douglas Crossing Retirement Living in Uxbridge, and then work my way south, but plans changed when I found out they're under outbreak. Instead I decided I would start at Aspira Empire Crossing Retirement Living in Port Hope, and then make my way west.

Aspira Empire Crossing Retirement Living in Port Hope

Aspira Empire Crossing retirement home in Port Hope, Ontario offers independent living. Suites start at $3,990/month.

A few notes from my tour:

• Pet friendly
• Every suite has a balcony or walk out
• Smaller, intimate home, with good sized suites
• Small, but engaging activity space
• About 10 year old building
• Independent living - need to be independent, or cognitively and physically able to ask for help

After a quick stop at McDonalds - for whaver reason my guilty pleasure on these big retirement home days, I was off to Aspira Traditions of Durham in Oshawa.

Aspira Traditions of Durham retirement home in Oshawa

Aspira Traditions of Durham offers independent living and assisted living. Studio suites in independent living start at $3,425/month.

A few notes from my tour:

• Big spacious dining room
• 2 seatings at meal times
• South facing suites on upper floors have a view of green space and Lake Ontario
• A lot of residents were actively engaged in open house activities
• Wide hallways so 2 people in wheelchairs can easily pass each other
• Spacious bathrooms compared to many retirement homes

April 1, 2023

On April 1, 2023, a 79 year-old resident died after being locked out of Traditions of Durham overnight. 3 ex-employees and the retirement home itself have been charged with criminal negligence causing death. This is an incredibly tragic event, and my thoughts are with the deceased and their loved ones.

I don't have any insights into this case beyond what has been widely reported in the news (for example CBC). But my understanding is that there have been widespread changes to the care and management teams. One of those new team members is Razeea Khan, Sales Advisor at Traditions of Durham. She joined less than a year ago. Razeea and I have crossed paths a dozen times at networking events. I would trust my loved one would be safe in a home where Razeea worked. You need to have a level of trust with any retirement home, long-term care home, or home care provider, and I'd have more trust knowing Razeea is there. Take that for what you will.

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My final stop would be Aspira Lynde Creek Gardens Retirement Living in Whitby.

Aspira Lynde Creek Gardens retirement home in Whitby

Aspira Lynde Creek Gardens offers independent living. Studio suites start at $2,985/month.

A few notes from my tour:

• Nestled in a private community, surrounded by life lease townhomes
• Coffee shops, grocery stores, and more within a 10-15 minute walk
• Recently renovated with a warm, open aesthetic when you walk in the front doors
• Backs onto a ravine with walking trails close by

Location, location, location

For me personally, there's a lot Aspira Lynde Creek Gardens has going for it. I love the location. If you drive, you could pick up your groceries, drop into the LCBO, grab a coffee, play pickleball, and walk some great trails whenever you want, AND only have to fill your gas tank 4 times a year. But the even bigger benefit of it is that for as long as I can walk, all that stuff is close enough that I can make a morning out of walking there. I like the idea of retiring somewhere peaceful, but having most of what I need within a long walk, and in that maner Aspira Lynde Creek Gardens delivers.

Next Open House Event

I don't know when the next big retirement home open house event will be, I'll keep my ear to the ground. But if you come across an open house for a retirement home in your area, check it out. It doesn't hurt to have an idea of what retirement living can look like - it might surprise you.