A New Home in Lucan
That Truly
Understands Dementia.
At Highview, we gently shape the home around the person, not the other way around.
CARING FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA SINCE 1996
How do we know it's time?
Most families come to us after a long stretch of managing on their own. Often there's a moment that makes it clear something has changed.
Wandering, or a door left open at night. Medications that are getting harder to keep straight. Agitation in the late afternoon that neither of you knows what to do with.
If any of that sounds like your home right now, you're not failing anyone. You're doing what families do, and you've done it for longer than most people would.
Choosing a home for someone you love isn't giving up on them. It's making sure they're known and cared for when you can't do it all yourself.
A Home Built Around Dementia, Not Adapted For It
At Highview Lucan, dementia care has its own secure floor.
It's small on purpose. Lighting follows the natural rhythm of the day. Colour contrast helps with wayfinding. Sightlines stay clear, so it's easy to see where you are and where you're going.
Safety is built into the structure rather than announced by it. There are no keypads to confront, no signs reminding anyone they can't leave.
Just a home that quietly holds people safe.
“Finding a place that could meet my mom's changing needs was a challenge. It was such a relief to find Highview. My mother was well taken care of by a team of caring people, and it was a relief for me to know that she was safe and well-looked after. It is a shame that there are not more places like this.”
— Deborah
Small by Design
Close to Home in Lucan, Ontario
Lucan Biddulph is a small municipality with deep community roots, surrounded by farmland, open space, and a quieter pace of life. It's a town where people know each other, where community matters, and where neighbours look out for one another.
Highview Lucan is woven naturally into the fabric of this town. For residents and families, the location offers the familiarity of small-town life with the accessibility of London a short drive away.
Close to the Care You May Need
University Hospital · St. Joseph's Health Care London
Available to collaborate with geriatric specialists and memory clinics. Residents may choose to roster with Highview’s family physician, who provides regular in-home visits.
Care & Features at Highview Lucan
Dedicated, specialized associates available 24/7
Chef-prepared meals & specialized dining support
Private suites with accessible ensuite bathrooms
Medication administration & monitoring
We Believe Families Deserve Clarity
Monthly Fees — What's Included.
Highview is a private retirement home. There is one all-inclusive monthly fee for Living + Dementia.
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ACCOMMODATION
A private suite with an ensuite bathroom and shower
Thoughtfully designed home areas. 12–14 Residents in London and Kitchener; 21 Residents in Lucan.
Access to shared indoor and outdoor spaces (varies based upon the Home)
CARE AND SUPPORT
Nursing care overseen by registered staff
Physician services provided by a community physician
Assistance with bathing, personal hygiene, dressing, ambulation, feeding, and continence care
Gentle cueing, redirection, and escorting within the home
Administration of medications (cost of medications not included)
Skin and wound care as required
Ongoing interdepartmental, person-centred care planning, with careful attention to the evolving and complex needs of those living with dementia
MEALS AND NUTRITION
Home-cooked meals and snacks prepared in-house
Therapeutic diets and specialized dietary accommodations (such as gluten-free or vegetarian options) available when needed
Lunch and dinner are enjoyed together in the dining room, supporting community connection and daily rhythm
Breakfast served on demand, honouring each resident's natural wake time, not the clock
HOUSEKEEPING AND LAUNDRY
Weekly housekeeping, including bed making, dusting, and vacuuming
Laundry of personal clothing and linens
Towels provided and laundered
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OCCUPANCY MONTHLY FEES
Single Occupancy - $8,600 per monthCouple Occupancy — One Resident Requiring Care
Primary Resident - $8,600 per month
Second Person (not requiring care) - $1,037 per month
Medication Administration Fee (if required) - $385 per month
Couple — Two Residents Requiring Care
Primary Resident - $8,600 per month
Second Resident - $5,798 per month
MONTHLY FEE BREAKDOWN — REQUIRED BY LEGISLATIONUnder provincial requirements, the monthly fee is divided into two components: Rent (payment for the right to occupy the suite) and Service Fee (payment for care services, meals, and supports). This breakdown is required under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 and is reflected in the Residency Agreement.
London and Kitchener Care:
$5,345 + Rent: $3,255Lucan - DC Studio
Care: $6,600 + Rent: $2,000 -
EXTRA CARE FEE — $800 PER MONTH
This fee applies when a Resident becomes non-ambulatory and requires the use of a mechanical lift. In this circumstance:
The Resident's POA is advised
An assessment is completed
The care plan is updated accordingly
As outlined in the Residency Agreement and permitted under legislation, advance notice is not required when this change in care level occurs.
ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORT (IF REQUIRED)
Within the standard monthly fees, Highview provides care based on established staffing ratios within the home. It is not possible to provide dedicated 1-to-1 care within the standard monthly fee.
In situations where a Resident requires temporary 1-to-1 support — due to illness, a change in physical or verbal expressions, or safety considerations — this need will be identified by the Care Coordinator and discussed in collaboration with the Resident's POA.
One-to-one care may be arranged in communication with the POA in one of the following ways:
Family or friends provide support
A private caregiver is arranged by the POA
Highview staff (if available) may provide support at an hourly rate billed directly to the Resident account
All private care arrangements must be approved by Highview. Additional supports remain in place only as long as required and are billed accordingly.
RESIDENT HOSPITALITY FEEUpon moving-in to any of our homes, a hospitality fee of $167 is collected and held on account. Guest meals (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) are billed at $3.95 per meal and deducted from this balance. When the balance is depleted, it is replenished on the next monthly invoice. Any unused portion of the hospitality fee will be refunded when the Person moves out of Highview.
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While Highview's monthly fees are all-inclusive for accommodation, daily support, and care services, there are certain items that remain the financial responsibility of the Resident (POA). This is consistent with common practice across the retirement living sector.
Prescription medications, supplements, and medical supplies
In-room telephone, cable television, and internet
Professional hairdressing or barber services
Podiatry
Private physiotherapy
Dental, vision, or hearing clinic services
Personal care items such as continence products and toiletries
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Highview is a licensed retirement home in Ontario and operates under the Retirement Homes Act, 2010, the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, and oversight by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA).
Before move-in, a written Residency Agreement is completed, as required by provincial legislation. This agreement ensures clarity about accommodation, services, fees, and mutual expectations.
THE AGREEMENT COVERS
The private suite and accommodation details
The monthly rent portion (for the right to occupy the suite)
The service portion (for care services, meals, and supports provided within the home)
The services included in the monthly fee
Any optional services selected
Notice provisions and other important terms
We review the agreement carefully with each Resident's Power of Attorney (POA) so that expectations are clear and decisions are informed before move-in.
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Under provincial legislation, retirement home fees are divided into two components:
Rent - Payment for the right to occupy the suite
Service Fee - Payment for care services, meals, and supports
This distinction is required by law and is clearly outlined in the Residency Agreement.
INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
A portion of the service fee may be eligible as a medical expense deduction for income tax purposes, depending on individual circumstances.
Highview provides an annual letter allocating the previous year's monthly fees between rent and service portions. This letter may be used to support claims submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency.
We encourage families to consult their tax advisor regarding eligibility.
The best way to know if Highview is right for you, is to visit.
Come see the home, meet the team, and sit down for a meal. There's no pressure. Just an open invitation to see what home feels like here.
Feel free to also ask us any questions!
We understand.
Families ask us these questions every day.
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Highview supports Residents through all stages of dementia, from earlier stages where additional structure and support are helpful, through to more advanced progression requiring full assistance with daily living.
There is no single “right” stage to move. Some families choose to come earlier, when their loved one can still participate more fully in daily life and gradually become familiar with the home.
Others come when care needs have increased significantly, and safety has become a concern.
Our cottages are designed to provide secure, 24/7 specialized dementia care, including support with personal care, mobility, medication management and, as needs change, increased hands-on assistance.
If you are unsure whether Highview is appropriate for your loved one’s current stage, we are always happy to have a conversation and help you think it through.
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This is the question almost every family asks, and often more than once.
There is rarely one single moment. More often, it is a gradual shift. You may notice that what once felt manageable now feels heavy. That you are watching more closely. Sleeping less and worrying more.
Sometimes the turning point is safety, wandering, falls, or medical concerns. Other times, it is quieter: meals become inconsistent, medications are missed, personal care becomes difficult, or a spouse simply feels exhausted. For some families, the realization comes when they see that their loved one has outgrown the services and supports available in their current setting.
Many families describe a growing sense that they are no longer just being a partner or daughter or son, but they have become the full-time caregiver.
If you are asking whether it is time, that often means things are already changing.
Moving to a dementia care home is not about giving up. It is about ensuring that your loved one is supported safely and consistently, and that you are able to return to being a family again.
We are always happy to talk through what you are noticing. There is no pressure, only conversation.
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This is very common. Many people living with dementia do not feel they need additional support, or they may feel anxious about leaving a familiar home. That hesitation is often about fear of change rather than an understanding of what is no longer safe.
Families also carry a different weight. We often hear, “I promised I would never put them in a home.” Breaking that promise can feel like deep grief, even when you know it is necessary.
We work closely with families to plan the transition thoughtfully and in a way that feels reasonable and believable to the person moving in. Sometimes that means framing the move as a short stay, a temporary change while the house needs attention, or simply focusing on what will feel most reassuring: good meals, companionship, relief from daily stress.
Once settled, many Residents adapt more quickly than families expect, especially when the environment feels familiar and supportive.
Our role is not to pressure, but to help you navigate the transition with care, dignity and as little distress as possible. -
Dementia is progressive and needs to naturally change over time. At Highview, our model of care is designed with those changes in mind. With 24/7 specialized dementia care in a secure, small-home setting, most Residents can remain in the same cottage, surrounded by familiar faces, steady routines and spaces that feel like home, even as their needs increase.
Our Associates adjust the level of support thoughtfully and gently, whether that means more assistance with daily living, mobility, communication or personal care. As dementia progresses, our focus is on keeping life familiar, calm, supportive and as predictable as possible.
In most circumstances, Residents do not need to move again. Highview is able to support residents as their disease progresses and into the end of life. Highview has even developed our own palliative program so that the Resident and their family can be well supported, with care and compassion.
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TWO TYPES OF ACTIVATION WITHIN THE HOME
Scheduled group activities
Spontaneous shared moments
These experiences are failure-free and thoughtfully chosen based on a deep understanding of each person’s life story, interests, and abilities.
Activities are designed to promote and retain as much independence as possible, and to support each person in remaining involved and contributing within the rhythms of the home.
Our team also value the small, natural moments that sometimes happen throughout the day — spending a few minutes with one person doing something they enjoy, whether that’s looking through photos, folding laundry together, or sharing a quiet conversation.
The program is unique to each person and evolves as dementia progresses and needs change.
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Yes. Whenever possible, we support couples in remaining together, even if one spouse requires more care than the other.
Many couples have spent decades side by side. When dementia enters the picture, being separated can feel confusing and unsettling, especially after a lifetime together.
At Highview, we want to support couples who have built a life together and help them continue living side by side, even as care needs change.
If one spouse is living with dementia and the other has different needs, such as mobility challenges, Parkinson’s disease or general frailty, we adjust support individually while keeping them together in the same home.
Our team provides 24/7 specialized dementia care, along with the right level of support for each person. This allows couples to remain together, cared for thoughtfully and safely.
For many families, knowing their loved ones can stay together brings enormous peace of mind.
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Highview is a private retirement home specializing in dementia care, intentionally designed as a small, secure, home-like environment. Our cottages are home to 12–14 Residents, allowing our Associates to truly know each person, their history, preferences and daily rhythms.
Long-term care (LTC) homes in Ontario are publicly funded and receive significant government subsidy, which helps offset the monthly fees paid by Residents. Access to an LTC bed requires being placed on a centralized waiting list. As of recent reports from the Ontario Long Term Care Association, more than 50,000 people are waiting for long-term care in Ontario, with wait times ranging from six months to several years, depending on the region and level of need.
Highview, as a private retirement home, does not receive government subsidy and is not part of the provincial LTC waitlist system. Availability depends on room openings within our cottages, and families connect with us directly rather than through a centralized provincial process. While timelines vary, access is often more immediate. A person can live at Highview and remain on the LTC waitlist.
Because we are a smaller private home, we are able to offer a flexible, person-centred approach. The rhythm of the day is guided by the Resident rather than a fixed schedule, helping life feel more natural and familiar.
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When we say Highview is secure, we mean that the home is intentionally designed to support Residents’ safety while still feeling just like home.
The supports built into the environment are not obvious, but they are very hardworking. They are subtle, out of respect for the Resident, and thoughtfully integrated into the design of the cottages.
Our layout helps minimize the attention and focal point of doors and exits. Wayfinding cues are gentle and supportive, helping Residents move comfortably through familiar spaces without drawing their attention to where they cannot go.
Doors that lead to outside or non-secure areas are use coded entry and exit, allowing our team to quietly monitor and gently redirect when needed.
In both London and Kitchener, even our gardens are secure, so Residents can enjoy fresh air, walking paths and time outdoors safely.
Security at Highview is built into the design of the home and supported by attentive, specially trained Associates who are present 24/7.
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Highview is not part of the provincial long-term care waitlist system. As a private retirement home, availability is based on room openings within our cottages.
At times, there may be a wait, particularly if families are looking for a specific cottage or suite. Because we operate privately, timelines are often more flexible.
Many families reach out shortly after receiving an initial diagnosis of dementia. Even if a move may still be months away, being on a waiting list can bring relief, knowing there is a plan in place and that support is available when it is needed.
We often describe this as part of a thoughtful gap strategy: creating a plan and then being able to implement that plan before a crisis unfolds. Planning ahead helps families avoid making decisions in the middle of an emergency.
Beginning the conversation early allows families to move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
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(Currently at our Lucan location only)
Respite stays may be offered at the discretion of the General Manager. (When Available)Standard rate - $287 per day
Non-ambulatory rate - $313 per day