Retirement Homes in Hamilton
There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to choosing the best retirement home for you or your loved one’s specific needs. Whether you are looking for a convenient location or a community that offers plenty of engaging activities, the options can seem overwhelming.
The good news is that the quality of living for seniors in Hamilton is one of the best in Canada, especially since the city has recently created a plan to make the area more age friendly. Out of the 415 communities in Canada, Hamilton ranks high at number 24. If you or your loved one is looking for a retirement community in Hamilton, here are some of the benefits of senior living in the city.
Why Choose a Retirement Home in Hamilton?
A Growing Aging Population
Over the past decade, the number of seniors has risen dramatically. This is especially the case in seniors ages 85 and older. Between 2006 and 2016 the population of seniors ages 65 and older increased 23% from 75,395 to 92,910. By 2041, the number of adults ages 55 or older is expected to rise to 260,000—an increase of nearly 56%.
Age-Friendly Focus
The city of Hamilton partnered with the Hamilton Council on Aging (HCoA) and Seniors Advisory Committee (SAC) to develop strategies that could improve the quality of life for seniors living in Hamilton. This plan, known as Hamilton’s Age Friendly Plan, consulted over 700 older adults, community stakeholders, and key partners from various sectors. The plan involved identifying the needs of seniors and ensuring the city was prepared to provide for those needs. The seven key goals include improvements in the following categories:
Housing
Transportation
Communication and information
Health and community services
Social participation
Civic engagement, volunteerism, employment
Age-friendly public service
8 Things to Do in Hamilton for Seniors
Art Galleries and the Art Crawl
Seniors can enjoy a lengthy day of exploring Hamilton’s century-old gallery—the oldest and largest in all of southern Ontario. The Art Gallery of Hamilton has over 10,000 works including Canadian contemporary, international, and historical art. These world-class exhibits are also accompanied by permanent pieces such as Alex Colville’s famous “Horse and Train” painting and the “Bruegel-Bosch Bus” by Kim Adams.
Art lovers can also explore Hamilton’s exceptional Art Crawl. This event occurs on the second Friday of every month on James Street North. The street is transformed into a bustling and fun art market where visitors can stroll down the Arts District and enjoy the many galleries, studios, shops, and restaurants that are part of the city’s welcoming grassroots arts scene.
Warplane Heritage Museum
The sky is the limit at the Warplane Heritage Museum, Canada’s largest flying museum. There are over 40 planes to observe from the past and present and you can enjoy personalized tours, simulators, and air shows. You can also buy your own flight on a vintage aircraft including the legendary Avro Lancaster. This is the only place in the world you can still fly in one of these aircrafts!
Waterfalls and Trails
If you love to get out into nature, there are so many natural attractions that you can enjoy in Hamilton. The city is home to over 120 waterfalls and there are countless trails to walk, jog, or bike along.
Hamilton’s West Harbour
Hamilton’s West Harbour is the perfect urban waterfront location. Just a short walk away from downtown Hamilton, this site is home to waterfront trails, cafes, and bike paths. There are many attractions to explore including Parks Canada’s docked HMCS Haida, tours aboard the Harbour Queen, and even an outdoor roller-skating rink. Green spaces are surrounded by tranquil trails and beautiful places to have a picnic.
Heritage Village
Take a trip back in time at Westfield Heritage Village. Costumed actors bring early Canadian culture back to life as they demonstrate what life was like in this time period. You can enjoy blacksmithing, breadmaking and much more in the 35 carefully restored historic buildings. Some of the events you can participate in at Westfield Heritage Village include the Maple Syrup Festival and Ice Cream Carnival. The village spreads out over 130 hectares and is bordered by beautiful woodlands, meadows, and trails.
Dundurn Castle
Dundurn Castle is one of the city’s most recognizable attractions. Like Heritage Village, you can step back into time as interpreters dressed in costume take you through the sprawling historic estate that overlooks the bay. You can learn about the wealthy family members that used to live upstairs and the hardworking servants that lived underneath.
Farmer’s Markets
Aside from the busy downtown area, Hamilton is generally a rural community. The local farms produce an incredible assortment of farm-fresh produce. You can savour the sights and tastes of Hamilton’s agricultural life at one of its many farms during the Hamilton Farm Crawl. You can also grab your own fresh produce at local farmers’ markets.
Festivals and Events
If food and music events are your thing, Hamilton is the place to be. Hamilton has festivals for every season and taste including buskers, beer festivals, concerts, and maple syrup festivals. The local restaurants have attracted national attention for many reasons including these! With so many talented chefs, baristas, and brewers setting up their shops in Hamilton, you won’t run out of places to enjoy good food and drink.
Meadowlands – A V!VA Retirement Community in Hamilton
If you are looking for a retirement home in Hamilton, the newly renovated Meadowlands is the perfect place for you. As one of the premier retirement locations in Ancaster, our Team Members strive to create an environment that support the needs and interests of older adults. We’ve created all-new amenities, redesigned our suites, and re-envisioned our services—all with our Community Members in mind.
To learn more about our Meadowlands retirement community in Ancaster and to find out if V!VA Retirement Communities is right for you or your loved one, email us at meadowlands@vivalife.cameadowlands@vivalife.ca or call us at (905) 304-1968
