Home » Recent posts » Our grandparents recently moved into these 5 best assisted-living facilities in Vancouver and they wished they knew about them earlier!
Our grandparents recently moved into these 5 best assisted-living facilities in Vancouver and they wished they knew about them earlier!
Personalized care: We considered assisted-living facilities in Vancouver that offer personalized care, including flexible eating times and medication management.
Cleanliness: We included assisted-living facilities that keep their rooms and facilities clean and well-maintained.
Quality of meals: We checked if the facility offers flexible menus, ideal for those with specific dietary needs. Plus points for those with on-site chefs.
Activities: We included facilities that offer different activities that encourage continued social engagement and growth such as fitness classes, workshops, and even music therapy.
Initially, we thought assisted-living facilities are just quiet and lonely. That is, until our friends brought their parents to one and came back wishing they had done it sooner.
We decided to share the idea with our grandparents, and asked them if we could check the best assisted-living facilities in Vancouver, just to explore. We initially paid for trial stays, but after a week, our grandparents asked us to pay for an entire year.
So for those of you who are feeling overwhelmed caring for the older folks at home, or just need a short-term respite care after a surgery, here’s your sign to continue reading the blog and get the help that you need!
How much does an assisted-living facility cost in Vancouver?
The average cost for a single bedroom in an assisted-living facility in Vancouver can range between $4,500 to $7,200 per month. Meanwhile, premium facilities or larger suites may cost more.
Address: 1550 W 49th Ave #100, Vancouver, BC V6M 0B3
Contact Details: +1 604-563-3540
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Consumer Rating: A
Google review
5/5
Total reviews score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B+
Personalized care
4.8/5
Medication management
4.8/5
Flexible eating schedule
4.8/5
Cleanliness
4.9/5
Quality of meals
4.9/5
Activities
4.8/5
Social gatherings
4.8/5
Gentle routines
4.8/5
If you’re looking for an assisted-living facility that doesn’t look old, gloomy, and boring, then you’ll love it here at Granville Gardens.
In fact, if you have more budget to spare, you can look into their lifestyle apartments, which will allow senior citizens to fully enjoy 5-star dining, whole body wellness centers, a separate full kitchen, and even a wine cellar.
We were even surprised to see a golf simulator and an aquatic fitness club, which really screamed sophistication.
What we love about this assisted-living facility is that they serve three different and delicious meals throughout the day. These meals are already included in the total rate, so you won’t have to worry about securing meal services for the old folks.
The facility also takes time to curate different activities throughout the day to ensure the old people are always entertained. It’s also a great way for them to meet new friends within the facility.
There’s also a free van shuttle that goes around the place on a weekly basis. This allows the residents to shop and visit the bank if they need to. Don’t worry, someone is assigned to look after them—so it’s a guided mini field trip after all!
You also don’t need to worry about emergencies as they have a 24-hour emergency response system in the facility.
Pros
Offers free van shuttle
Has lifestyle apartments for sophisticated senior citizens
Serves great meals
Has several activities throughout the day
Cons
Premium rates
Longer waiting period for those who need full medical and personal support
Staff makes their residents feel loved and valued
“My mom has lived here for 2 1/2 years. She has faced many adjustments, her husband of 70 years passed away, COVID lockdown, and living alone for the first time in her life. Granville Gardens made her feel important and loved. The staff go above to make her feel loved and valued. Eating with her friends is her highlight of the day. She joins activities and has made new friends. Change is never easy, imagine doing it at 100, GG makes the transition a positive one. A special thanks to the staff and management who made her 100th birthday special for her and her family, even during COVID.”
When we heard that Sunrise of Vancouver is great when it comes to helping the elderly improve their physical and mental state, we decided to take our grandparents’ there a few months ago.
And true enough, in just a week, we’ve seen their improvement—all thanks to the love and care of this assisted-living facility’s staff.
Visitors won’t be able to walk in easily, which we love. Since they value safety, you have to buzz in and be let in by a concierge, which gives us peace of mind.
Upon walking in, you’ll immediately notice that the place is well-maintained. The place also has lots of greens, so you can expect the older folks to be surrounded by nature at all times.
Another thing that we liked about them is that they offer short-term stays. So if you just need a good place to handle your parents’ recovery after a surgery, you may consider getting this assisted-living facility too.
They even told us that they could handle hospital follow-ups, which would be great for busy individuals out there.
However, we noticed that monthly expenses keep piling up. So make sure to always check the running bill, especially if you opted for an open package.
Pros
Great safety features
Short-term stays are available
Various payment options
Cons
Level of care from nursing staff could still be improved
Expect monthly expenses to pile up
Outstanding care from the staff
“My mom moved into Sunrise of Vancouver 3 months ago, she went there after falling, breaking her rib, we moved her straight from the hospital to sunrise. She couldn’t walk or do anything on her own. After 2 months she could already walk around with a walker and seemed to be much healthier than even before her fall. i believe the remarkable improvement came from the outstanding care the staff at Sunrise of vancouver has given to my mother. They really care about the residents there and i feel blessed that my mother is able to be a part of such a caring environment.”
“I had the pleasure of visiting Sunrise Senior Living, and I was truly impressed. The environment is warm and welcoming, and the facility is state-of-the-art. From what I could see, the level of care and services offered must be unmatched. It felt like a place I would genuinely love to retire in—comfortable, elegant, and thoughtfully designed to make residents feel at home. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a top-notch retirement community.”
For those looking for personalized care, Amica Arbutus Manor is one of the most recommended assisted-living facilities that are known for it.
What we like about this assisted-living facility is that residents don’t need to follow a strict dining schedule. They can set their own eating time everyday, allowing them to live the same way they used to.
You can also expect them to curate each dish, perfect if your parents or grandparents have dietary needs. They even have a buffet spread ready to celebrate birthdays and other special occasions.
It’s also great that they offer senior fitness classes, helping our older folks to get their bodies moving even without our supervision.
Our most favorite facility is the salon. Our grandmother always loved her pamper sessions before going in this facility, so it’s great that she would still be able to continue that inside.
We were also surprised to know that they regularly invite guest speakers, allowing the residents to learn about different topics about health and wellness.
Meanwhile, this assisted-living facility also offers short respite stays, ideal for individuals who live alone. So in case you need a place that can assist you while you recover from a surgery (knock on wood), you know who to call!
Pros
Curated meals
Flexible eating schedule
In-house salon
Gym facilities
Cons
Cleanliness could still be improved
High staff turnover
Well-managed facility
“After an unexpected hospital stay I I am so grateful that I found Amica Arbutus for a short respite stay that helped me gain back my strength and confidence. The staff at Amica Arbutus were incredibly helpful, professional and made you feel cared about and right at home. The facility is very well managed from the general manager on down and they are all extremely accommodating, cheerful and the meals are well thought out and delicious. The residence is tailored to the needs of the community with endless activities, fun exercise sessions and beautiful courtyards. I would not hesitate to highly recommend Amica Arbutus to anyone!”
“A very nice place. We have brought our mom here (93 y.o.) after a fall left her in need of more daily attention than we could give. She still had some mobility but just needed extra care an attention. The rooms are very nice, as are all the staff we met. Now after a short time there, this continues. They make her feel important and cared for. The meals are very good and they certainly accept and cater to all the personal likes, wants and needs of each person.”
Address: 980 Lynn Valley Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7J 3V7
Contact Details: +1 604-904-1226
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
Consumer Rating: B+
Google review
4.8/5
Total reviews score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B+
Personalized care
4.7/5
Medication management
4.7/5
Flexible eating schedule
4.7/5
Cleanliness
4.6/5
Quality of meals
4.9/5
Activities
4.8/5
Social gatherings
4.8/5
Gentle routines
4.8/5
What we liked most about Sunrise of Lynn Valley is that their staff treat their residents with a high level of respect and patience. So if the older folks are a bit stubborn, these guys would be able to handle their tantrums anytime!
Here, they will surely enjoy their daily activities. When we visited, we were able to witness the oldies enjoying their time doing karaoke.
Apart from that, they also regularly host live musical performances, which have been a crowd-favorite in this assisted-living facility.
When we checked the rooms, we were happy to see that they are always kept clean and neat. We were able to see it in the morning, and also at night, and were very pleased with their consistency.
Additionally, the rooms are really very spacious. We decided to bring a massage table, and were surprised to see that there’s still enough space to walk around the room.
You can also easily monitor your parents’ or grandparents’ wellbeing through their mobile application. The staff regularly updates it with photos, so if you can’t afford to visit during your busy schedule, you can still monitor their activities wherever you are.
While we’re well aware about the 3% annual rate increase, we noticed that some charges weren’t clearly outlined. To avoid cost escalations, make sure to coordinate with the staff before you renew your contract.
Pros
Ideal for stubborn residents
Lots of singing and live entertainment
Consistency in keeping the rooms clean and tidy
Spacious rooms
Has a mobile application for frequent updates
Cons
Memory care sections receive less attention
A few reports about hidden costs
Updates clients about the residents’ wellbeing
“My mum suffered from dementia- I always felt she was well looked after and loved while at sunrise. I had moved her from a similar residence in Mtl and it was night and day the level of care – so much better at sunrise (although cost was more). Sunrise proactively kept in touch with me where the other residence never did. Highly recommend Sunrise for anyone looking to place their family member in a loving safe environment . The staff are all amazing.”
“Sunrise of Lynn Valley feels like home. From my Mom’s first day she was treated like part of the family they are. Upbeat and welcoming with above average care. ❤️”
We discovered Legacy Senior Living while we were exploring retirement homes around Oakridge. While it looked upscale from the outside, you can expect them to give you the warmest welcome that you need.
Here, they have a simple one-bedroom accommodation, a one-bedroom den, or a two-bedroom airconditioned suite.
The best part is that this assisted-living facility is located near a SkyTrain station, so it’s relatively a lot easier to pay a visit without worrying about traffic and even parking.
What we loved most about Legacy Senior Living’s staff is that they always take time to connect and chat with their residents. They will even make sure to check in and help your parents out throughout the day.
While walking around, we noticed that the residents really look happy. It’s also a supportive environment, which helps with the residents’ wellbeing.
Meanwhile, the residents here can also enjoy different facilities such as their salon, spa, and gym.
And for a more upscale experience, there’s also a personal assistant available. Aside from being ready to answer your questions, she’s there to help you or your loved ones with several tasks throughout the day.
It’s worth mentioning, however, that this assisted-living facility may not be ideal for senior citizens with advanced medical or memory care needs.
Pros
Luxurious assisted-living facility
Several amenities inside
Has a personal concierge
Cons
Cleaning and minor renovations are costly
Not ideal for those who need more advanced medical or memory care
Very accessible
“I visited my grandfather last week and was really impressed with the place. It’s beautiful, well maintained and very accessible, especially with the SkyTrain station nearby. As soon as I arrived, I was warmly greeted by a young lady at the concierge front desk who was quick to offer assistance. Restaurant served delicious food, and service was also great!”
“Having performed regularly for the past year at Legacy Senior Living, I highly recommend everyone interested in being a part of this beautiful, warm and well managed place. It’s always a pleasure to be there as all the residences are not only well behaved, but also well-spoken and encouraging. Thank you very much for having me and my musicians come play for you!!!”
FAQs about Assisted-Living Facilities in Vancouver
Does the government pay for assisted-living for seniors?
Yes, but only for publicly subsidized assisted-living facilities in Vancouver.
What is the best age to move in an assisted-living facility in Vancouver?
While the ideal age for moving to an assisted-living facility falls between mid to late 60s and early 70s, there are still several factors that can be considered such as lifestyle and health.
Other residents also choose to move to an assisted-living facility due to personal preference.
How do I pay for an assisted-living facility?
You can pay for an assisted-living care through private pay or personal funds, Medicaid support, or insurance.
Can couples live together in an assisted-living suite or room?
Yes, several assisted-living facilities allow couples to stay in a one-bedroom or companion suite.
Archie Montrose
