Your health is important, and as you get closer to retirement, it becomes more important than ever to make sure that you have access to high-quality medical care. A surprising 60% of retirees say that they had to deal with important medical issues much sooner than they had planned. And while public healthcare means you don’t have to worry as much about costs, it is important to have medical care providers close by.
Proximity to healthcare is often something people worry about when they’re thinking about moving to their dream retirement destination. If you’ve spent most of your life in the city, you’ve likely had much easier access to medical specialists than those in other parts of the province. But healthcare outside of the GTA is much better than you might think.
When you’re looking for adult lifestyle communities in Ontario, access to healthcare is understandably a top priority. You want to know that you live close by to world-class hospitals, medical specialists, clinics, pharmacies, and everything you may need as your health becomes more important than ever.
Moving into an adult community in Niagara like The Oaks or The Vintages comes with a lot of perks. You’re in a unique destination for outstanding wines, culture, tourism, and nature, but also a part of the province with excellent access to healthcare and state-of-the-art facilities.
Niagara Health System
Niagara Health System is a regional healthcare provider with multiple sites and a growing network of community-based services. Their team is made up of more than 4,800 employees, 600 physicians and 850 volunteers who we count on to deliver extraordinary caring to every person, every time. The Niagara Health System was created to integrate patient services and improve access to healthcare across that region.
The Niagara Health System is a multi-site hospital system that spans five hospital locations found in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Welland, and Port Colborne. The system was designed to put the patient first and provide superior care.
The system provides a wide range of health services and specializations, including but not limited to:
- Oncology and cancer care
- Cardiac services
- Critical care
- Diagnostic services
- Emergency and urgent care
- Eye surgery
- Extended care
- Intensive care
- Kidney and dialysis care
- Occupational therapy
- Therapeutic recreation
- Wound care
- And many more medical services
The Niagara Health Services offers fully functional urgent care facilities as well as a wide range of medical specialties. Whatever happens, you can find local healthcare in Niagara that will address your needs, including emergency and ambulance services across the region.
There are plenty of doctors, including family physicians – a major concern for Ontarians, especially those who are considering leaving the city and changing family doctors.
World-Class Healthcare at Your Doorstep
In partnership with Hamilton Health Services (McMaster), Niagara Health also specializes in research, teaching, learning, and innovation in the healthcare sector. With so much innovative health research going on in the region, you can rest assured knowing that your medical providers are at the forefront of medicine.
Staying Active for Your Health
Staying physically and socially active are deeply important as you age. You likely don’t need to be told about the benefits of regular exercise like jogging or cycling, but even social activity can have major benefits for your long-term health. New medical studies show that 60-year-olds who visit with friends frequently are 12% less likely to develop dementia, and those with active social lives are less likely to experience issues with high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, obesity, and cognitive decline.
It’s one of the reason living with other adults in an active community is so appealing. It’s just easier to make friends and form community bonds when you live in a neighbourhood with others in your demographic. They have more time on their hands, they’re ready to relax and make new friends, and they’re excited to enjoy everything that the Niagara Region has to offer.
Healthy Living in Niagara
One of the best things about living in Niagara is the climate. The peninsula enjoys a unique micro-climate with some of the best weather in Ontario, and that makes it a lot easier to live an active lifestyle. Niagara enjoys a longer summer, with an average of 1,800 to 2,000 hours of sunshine annually.
Summers are warm but not as stifling and humid as those who live in the GTA will be used to, as cool lake breezes moderate the hottest days. Likewise, winters tend to be milder thanks to the lake effect. The transition to colder weather in autumn happens gradually, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors (and all the fresh produce hitting farmers’ markets during the harvest season).
There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in Niagara, including cycling on the Niagara Parkway, strolling the amazing beaches on Lake Erie, and walking or biking along the “Friendship Trail “ in Ridgeway spending the day at one of Niagara’s many golf courses. The long summer season makes it easier to get outdoors and stay active.
Move to Niagara Now
If Niagara’s on your radar, you should be looking at custom homes by Blythwood Homes in our two current adult lifestyle communities in Niagara. We are currently building homes in The Oaks at Six Mile Creek, just a few minutes’ walk from the historic centre of Ridgeway, as well as The Vintages at Four Mile Creek in the village of St. Davids, part of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Enjoy a healthy lifestyle and easy access to world-class healthcare when you move to Niagara