Services included in non-medical residences: the details
Last updated: August 14, 2026
Meal service: the heart of communal life
Included: 2 hot meals per day (generally breakfast and lunch). Dinner is optional, payable à la carte.
On quality, the gap between establishments is real: some residences employ a chef and offer genuinely refined cuisine, while others stay simple but acceptable. In every case, forget the all-you-can-eat buffet — meals are plated and served in controlled portions.
Dietary options: vegetarian, low-sodium, sugar-free, soft (for dental issues). BUT be careful if there is a serious allergy or very restrictive diet — not all establishments can accommodate these.
The atmosphere revolves around communal tables of 8 to 10 people: this is often where friendships take root, even though some residents complain instead about the noise. Use your visit to confirm whether this format suits your style.
Common area vs. personal unit housekeeping
Included: Cleaning of common areas (corridors, dining room, shared bathrooms).
For your room: 1–2 passes per week. Dusting, sweeping, changing bed linens. No deep floor cleaning or intensive housekeeping.
One thing to confirm without fail: the precise number of passes. With housekeeping just once a week, dust settles quickly in the room; twice a week is clearly preferable.
Laundry services
Included: Communal laundry = your clothes washed, dried, and folded by the residence.
Process: you drop off your laundry basket Monday, pick it up Wednesday. Not ideal if you have delicate or special items (silks).
Paid alternative: Washer and dryer in your suite (~$50–100/month extra). Better if you have a lot of laundry or need full control.
Activities and entertainment
Typically included:
- 1–2 activities per day (card games, bingo, gentle yoga, art)
- Weekly outing (market, museum, lunch at a restaurant)
- Musical evening or film 1–2x/month
- Interest groups: gardening, reading, political debate
- Access to computer room, library, creative workshop
Quality: it all comes down to the residence's budget and the number of activity coordinators. Count on at least one coordinator per 30 to 40 residents in a good home; below that, the program quickly turns superficial.
Verify during your visit: Can they show you the calendar for the next 4 weeks? Are activities varied or repetitive? Does it look like genuine engagement or just passing the time?
24/7 security
Included:
- Emergency call button in each room and bathroom
- Staff on site day and night
- Cameras at entrances/exits
- Door locking system (according to policy)
- Fire procedures regularly tested
Important: a 24/7 presence does not mean a nurse is on site. It is a care aide who can help you get up and dial 911 if you fall — with no active medical care.
Common spaces
Typically included:
- Main lounge with TV and chairs
- Billiards/games room
- Dining room
- Library
- Garden or small patio
- Visitor parking
Quality of spaces: important for your daily well-being. A residence with a noisy or poorly maintained lounge = negative atmosphere. Look for cleanliness and comfort.
Services payable as extras
Parking: $100–200/month if your car never leaves the garage.
Phone/cable/internet: $50–100/month (often mandatory for internet, optional for cable).
Beauty services: In-house haircut = $30–40 (vs. $50–80 at a salon). Manicure/pedicure = $25–40.
Private nurse: If you hire one to give medications or change dressings, that's ~$30–40/visit, at your expense.
Specialized transport: Medical appointment by ambulance/adapted taxi = $20–50 round trip depending on distance.
Additional services: Hairdressing, paperwork assistance, concierge (calls, orders), grocery shopping = variable.
What is NOT included
- Nursing care (medication distribution, dressings, catheter)
- Regular personal care assistance (bathing, dressing)
- Physiotherapy or occupational therapy
- Social consultation services (social worker)
- Specialized meals (e.g., complex diabetic diet)
- 24/7 medical assistance (only 911 calls)
If you have these needs, look instead at a residence with care services.
Speak with our advisor
Describe your situation and receive a personalized shortlist of residences within 24 hours — free of charge.
Key takeaways
- Meals: 2 hot meals included per day, dinner optional; plated portions, no all-you-can-eat buffet.
- Housekeeping: common areas covered; 1 to 2 passes per week in your room.
- Laundry: communal service included; in-suite washer/dryer as a paid extra (~$50-100/month).
- Activities: 1 to 2 activities per day plus a weekly outing, depending on the number of coordinators.
- Security: call button, day-and-night staff, entrance cameras — but no active nursing care.
- Extras: parking ($100-200/month), phone/cable/internet ($50-100/month), hairdressing, private nurse (~$30-40/visit).
These items cover daily life in a non-medical residence; for any nursing needs, look instead at a residence with care services.