More Than a Community: A Visit to Scarborough Retirement Residence (SRR)

Walking into Scarborough Retirement Residence (SRR) feels like entering a bustling, welcoming family home. From the moment you cross the threshold, the atmosphere is set by the sound of music and the gentle hum of friends chatting in the lobby. Throughout my visit, that feeling of home was reinforced by every architectural detail: the warm wood features, the cozy nooks, and the double-sided aquarium that serves as a tranquil focal point in the dining room. The environment is active yet remarkably calm and there is a palpable sense of community—or more accurately, a sense of family. 

This isn’t accidental; SRR is built on a foundation of multi-generational dedication. Opened in 1988 by Marie-Paula and Fred Lafontaine, the residence has remained family-run for over three decades. Today, their daughter, Marie-Josee Lafontaine, serves as President, carrying forward a legacy that began in 1959 when the family obtained the very first license to operate a long-term care home in Ontario. In a moving testament to their commitment, Fred Lafontaine himself is now a resident at SRR. Seeing the founder choose his own residence for his senior years is perhaps the ultimate endorsement of the care provided here.

Independent Living with “Assistive Services”

The physical layout of SRR is designed to cater to diverse lifestyles, boasting 124 suites with 18 different floor plans. Whether a senior is looking for a compact, efficient studio or a spacious one-bedroom suite with a private balcony, there is a layout to suit their preference. Recognizing that pets are family too, SRR is a pet-friendly community (with some standard restrictions), ensuring that residents don’t have to leave their beloved companions behind.

While many move to SRR for Independent Living, the residence excels in its ability to adapt as care needs evolve. The “Assistive Services” model allows residents to age in place gracefully. Unlike many facilities where a change in health requires a move to a different wing, SRR prioritizes providing care in the privacy and dignity of the resident’s own suite. In addition to the nurses and PSWs on staff 24 hours per day, there is a visiting doctor once per week. SRR is particularly unique in its integration of a Nurse Practitioner (NP) who visits three times per week. Another standout feature is the in-house physiotherapy program, allowing residents to maintain mobility by simply taking the elevator downstairs rather than traveling to an off-site clinic.

The Vitality Score: A Proactive Approach to Health

As is required by all retirement homes in the province, SRR performs health assessments on the residents upon entry and every six months afterwards to ensure their needs are being met. However, SRR goes a step further in their approach. Using a standard frailty scale during these assessments, the residents are given a “Vitality Score.” This score is a proactive way to monitor health trends and determine exactly which additional care services a resident may require to maintain their independence. This score directly informs the “package plus” pricing model used at the residence. The base package varies by suite type and includes standard essentials: all chef-prepared meals, weekly housekeeping, 24-hour café access, social activities, and a fitness room. If the Vitality Score indicates a need for more hands-on help, an additional monthly cost is added based on the total hours of care required, rather than being broken down by individual service fees. For those qualifying for care through Ontario Health at Home, SRR utilizes a “cluster care” model, ensuring consistent PSWs from the same outside agency visit the home for better continuity of care.

Premium Care Suites: Adapting for the Future

As the local population ages and needs become more complex, SRR is adapting its model to fill the gap often left by long-term care waitlists. The suites on the 2nd floor are gradually being transitioned into Premium Care Suites, which include specialized retrofitting such as walk-in showers and resilient flooring designed for safety and mobility aids.

Residents in Premium Care require the highest level of assistance SRR can accommodate, which often includes an increase in nursing oversight and, in some cases, palliative care. The floor is equipped with Hoyer lifts to safely support residents with very limited physical mobility. It is important to note for families that while this provides a high level of clinical support, it is not a secured unit; therefore, SRR cannot accommodate residents with exit-seeking behaviours or those with advanced dementia.

Respite Care: The “Short Stay” Advantage

For families who are hesitant about the transition to retirement living, SRR offers Respite Care, or “short stays.” This is an excellent “try before you buy” option for people who are apprehensive because they don’t quite know what to expect from a retirement community. These stays are also an essential resource for those recovering from surgery who need professional monitoring, or for seniors whose regular family caregivers are temporarily unavailable. With only a two-week minimum commitment (subject to suite availability), it provides a low-pressure way to access the residence’s full suite of amenities and professional care. It allows the senior to integrate into the social fabric of the home, often making the eventual permanent transition much easier.

Unique Offerings and a Resident’s Choice Philosophy

As I toured the grounds with Maureen, the “Resident’s Choice” philosophy was on full display. The Life Enrichment Program is remarkably extensive, featuring unique exercise classes like Drum Fit and Tai Chi. Many of these offerings began as direct suggestions from the residents themselves. One tradition that truly stood out was the annual professional photoshoot. Residents dress up and pose according to a yearly theme, such as “We Are Family” or “A Year at the Movies.” These portraits are later enlarged to adorn the walls of the activity room and hallways, and the community even votes on their favourites to be included in an annual wall calendar.

The dining experience is equally thoughtful. The main dining room accommodates residents in two stages to ensure a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere. There is a specific section reserved for Premium Care residents who may require more time or physical assistance with their meals. Safety is integrated even here: if a resident is expected at a meal and doesn’t show up, staff can use the 2-way communication pendant system to connect directly to the resident’s room to check on their well-being. Furthermore, every month features a “Chef’s Table” event for a specific floor, where the chef creates a gourmet meal for a small group in the private dining room, fostering closer bonds between neighbors.

Volunteerism also plays a big role in the culture. Residents run the tuck shop and act as “Floor Ambassadors” to welcome newcomers. In the craft room, I was in awe of the “Milk Bag Project,” where residents repurpose plastic milk bags into waterproof sleeping mats for people experiencing homelessness. It’s a beautiful example of how SRR residents remain deeply connected to the broader community.

Overall Impressions

SRR stands out because they truly think outside the box to listen to their residents. The spirit of being family-run is demonstrated in the way staff members treat their roles as more than just a job. For example, Maureen hosts a weekly meetup just to discuss the latest plot twists on Coronation Street, and “Timmie’s Tuesdays” ensures every resident enjoys fresh coffee and baked goods from Tim Hortons once a week. When I mentioned in my opening that I felt a strong sense of family, I hadn’t yet seen their website. I later found the quote “Committed to being more than a community. We are like family” and it confirmed my experience. At SRR, they aren’t just providing a room and care; they are successfully making a true family feeling come alive every single day.