frequently asked questions
1. What is Harmony Village? How does it differ from a regular condo and why is it better?
Harmony Village is an Adult Lifestyle - "Age in Place Community" where we have created an independent living environment for seniors supported by a vast array of services, more services than have been involved in any previous seniors community to date.
The vision of Harmony Village’s lifestyle communities is to provide quality independent seniors housing by providing the essential services required as people age. We believe that by delivering extensive and well-executed services, we will satisfy the needs of seniors and achieve our goal of returning the care and compassion back to these senior communities.
We believe there needs to be a paradigm change in the delivery of senior services in the industry and to achieve such care and compassion it must be a community effort. It is necessary to provide a community supported service structure that works within a successful business model.
2. What is St. Paul's L'Amoreaux Centre and Harmony Village's relationship to it?
St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Centre and the Harmony Village Foundation are two non-profit organizations with a mutual goal of providing quality services required to allow seniors to “age in place.” The Harmony Village/St. Paul’s community center will also provide senior services to the residents of Harmony village as well as seniors services to the surrounding neighbourhood.
3. What exactly is St. Paul's involvement as a non-profit organization?
St. Paul’s will provide consulting services and manage the multi-cultural seniors community center on a non-denominational bases. (St. Paul’s is also a community service provider.)
We are a caring, client-focused, not for profit organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life of seniors in the communities we serve, by providing services and housing in an accessible, professional and progressive manner.
The Centre was incorporated in 1976 to provide support services to the seniors in northwest Scarborough and surrounding areas. Our first facility was built in 1978 at 3333 Finch Avenue East and our first seniors took up residence in the fall of that year.
St. Paul's has grown significantly over the years. St. Paul's provides programs and services to over 5,000 clients and houses over 500 seniors in our two facilities. St. Paul's continues its mandate to provide affordable housing and support services to help seniors live independently in our community.
4. Who is St.Paul’s and is there any religious affiliation to the existing community centre/new development?
There is no religious affiliation with either the existing St. Paul’s community centre or the new development.
5. What is "aging in place"?
“Aging in place” is the opportunity for seniors to live independently in a facility, which has the capability of dealing with the various stages of aging without the necessity to relocate. Harmony Village will have the necessary supportive services required as one ages.
6. Are there age restrictions for residents?
By law there are no restrictions for a senior’s lifestyle community unless that age restriction is for an age group that is 65+. Therefore, although Harmony Village does not restrict the age allowed to buy or occupy a unit, the services being provided are for a senior’s community. These services will be paid for by the residents in Harmony Village – Sheppard.
7. Can my children or grandchildren live with me?
Yes, we believe that children and/or grandchildren are an integral part of the care to be provided for their parents and/or grandparents.
8. Are there different "categories" of care?
There is care provided to residential units for a resident purchasing a home in our development and we have assisted living units, which provide an additional degree of services and stationed on floor nursing counsultation available on a 24-hour bases.
9. What are the advantages of operating with a volunteer staff? Are ALL staff volunteers?
A volunteer staff does this work because they are committed to helping seniors and are willing to volunteer their time in an effort to make the lives more fulfilling for the elderly people, which they are dedicated to service.
Not all staff are volunteers. There is always a paid staff coordinating services that are delivered by volunteer staff.
10. Can I select colours/finishes for my suite?
Yes.
11. Is parking available? Do I buy it or rent it?
Yes, parking is available at optional purchase prices.
12. Is there a private bus service available to residents? Is it included or does it cost on a monthly or per use basis?
St. Paul’s Transportation team offers a support service that provides escorted transportation for clients to medical appointments, shopping and to various social activities and programs.
Most of the transportation costs are subsidized through St. Paul’s government funding and is available to Harmony Village – Sheppard residents.
13. How much will the dining/services cost? How flexible are the plans if I want to change or opt out of anything?
A dinning service plan (which will be included in the Occupancy Agreements) will start at $150.00 per month per unit. The monthly fee can be used in the dining room and food events held regularly at Harmony Village.
The cost of these plans is based on the cost for the actual service offered to the residents on a non-profit basis. Monthly fee is pending as the minimum price per person is calculated to partially cover operating expenses for the kitchen and dinning facilities, including staff.
14. Are there special staff/services specifically available for ESL residents...i.e. Asian seniors too?
Staff services are available in the following languages:
English
Chinese (including Mandarin and Cantonese)
Greek
Check with St. Paul’s for the rest of list.
15. Is there anything the maintenance fee does not cover?
Yes. Cable, telephone and contents and personal liability insurance as this will vary from occupant to occupant depending on which package they choose, and what their content value is assessed at.
16. Do I have to purchase a service package?
All Harmony Village suite occupants will have guaranteed access to all quality programs and services that are designed to promote independent living. Service packages are available when and if they are needed.
All Harmony Village occupants are required to pay a monthly membership fee a dining service plan the cost of the case management and the cost of providing a 24 hour emergency response service.
17. Can the suites be converted to make them fully wheelchair accessible?
Yes, initial purchasers may make modifications in some suites with upgrades to suit their personal needs in the pre-construction phase. These upgrades and modifications will be priced accordingly.
18. If the suite occupant wants to move out, who sells the suite?
Harmony Village units are just like regular condominiums. The owner has the option to sell privately, use a real estate agent or our in-house licensed sales and rental coordinator with a fee similar to any brokerage firm.
19. Am I allowed to keep a pet?
Yes, a small domestic dog, cat or bird owned by an occupant as a pet is allowed as long as the owner abides to the rules and regulations and when such pet does not disturb the quiet enjoyment of other residents.
20. Is locker available? Do I buy it or rent it?
Yes, lockers are available and can be purchased.
