Nearest emergency department
Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital
Hospital
About 1.9 km away
- Emergency Department
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Outpatient Rehabilitation
Retirement Home
Birchmere Retirement Residence
61Developing234 Bay St, Orillia, ON L3V 3W8, Canada
3.5(27 reviews)Retirement HomeIndependent LivingAssisted Living
DiningSalonPool or spaLibrary
Waitlistavailability
Last updated October 2026
About This Community
Birchmere Retirement Residence is a lakefront retirement home in Orillia serving seniors since 1981, located on Lake Couchiching with waterfront suites and a multi-level assisted care program.
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Claim this listing →Senior Care Path Summary
Birchmere Retirement Residence has served seniors since 1981 and is located on the west shore of Lake Couchiching in Orillia. The residence offers a variety of suites, many with private patios overlooking the lake, and two waterfront cottages.
Amenities include a dining room, hairdressing and spa services, and activities arranged by a full-time activity coordinator.
The assisted care program provides 24-hour nursing support and assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, medication administration, medical treatments, and ambulation.
The residence emphasizes creating a home-like atmosphere with active lifestyle choices and community engagement near Couchiching Park and downtown Orillia.
Editorial summary by Senior Care Path based on verified listing data, last reviewed October 2026.
Pricing at Birchmere Retirement Residence
Pricing
Contact for pricing
Typical in Ontario: $2,990–$7,195/moFrom Ontario listings of this type that publish a rate. It isn't Birchmere Retirement Residence's own price, so ask them for theirs.
Retirement HomeIndependent LivingAssisted Living
A starting price usually covers the suite, meals, housekeeping and activities. Care is added on top as needs grow, so ask for an all-in quote in writing.
Accommodation options
Suites with private patios overlooking the lake
Waterfront cottages
Get pricing, check availability or book a tour
Who This Community Is Best For
Ideal For
- Seniors who need supportive care within a residential community
- Seniors who need higher-acuity or 24-hour nursing care
- Couples or individuals who want care that can grow with their needs
Consider Alternatives For
- Active, fully independent seniors who don't need support
Guidance generated by Senior Care Path from this community's care types, services, and amenities. Operators can refine it by claiming their listing.
Hospitals & healthcare nearby
The nearest emergency department and senior-focused healthcare, with approximate straight-line distances. These are public facilities near Birchmere Retirement Residence, not services it provides or is affiliated with.
Senior-focused healthcare
Couchiching Family Health Team
Geriatric clinic or program
About 2.3 km away
- Specialized Geriatric Services
Memory & cognitive care
Cottage Country Family Health Team
Memory clinic
About 32.7 km away
- Memory Clinic
Palliative care
Georgian Bay General Hospital - Midland
Hospital
About 41.6 km away
- Emergency Department
- Palliative Care
Facility and service details come from Ontario Health atHome and the Ontario Ministry of Health. Call 911 in an emergency.
Care Services
- 24-hour nursing
- Bathing assistance
- Dressing assistance
- Toileting assistance
- Medication administration
- Medical treatments
- Ambulation assistance
Amenities
- Dining room
- Hair salon
- Spa services
- Manicures
- Pedicures
- Waterfront views
- Library
- Lounge
Key Features
- Lakefront location on Lake Couchiching
- Adjacent to Couchiching Park
- Full-time activity coordinator
- Multi-level care options
- Home-like setting
Photo Gallery
Photos via Google Maps
Google Reviews
3.5
27 Google reviews
Most recent reviews
Domus Dulcis
6 months ago · via Google
The care provided by this establishment is superb. What a friendly and uplifting place! I've visited a client here as a PSW / companion for some time and on every occasion have found the staff to be unfailingly polite and attentive and the residents cheerful and well-cared for. Compared to the other four retirement homes I regularly visit, Birchmere is a gem, with a real community, family feel. Well done, staff and supporters!
I M
a year ago · via Google
Absolutely apauled and disgusted with the lack of compassion shown by Louise who is appearently one of the top administrators of the facility. I've heard the horror stories about her from other members of the community but this was my first personal encounter and she has no business running a care facility. If that's the way she treats concerned family members calling to check up on their loved ones when the city has been declared to be in a state of emergency, I can only imagine how she treats the residence who live there and need her compassion every single day. Any facility who charges as much as they do should have administrators who WANT to be there. This lady makes it seem like her job is her prison sentence.
Tom
a year ago · via Google
We have had dad in care at Birchemere for roughly two years now. The menu, breakfast / lunch / dinner is excellent and can be found anytime on their website. The dining area is full service, table clothes etc, with wrap around windows giving a view of the lake and grounds. Very much an 80s Ontario resort vibe...which is likely well within the comfort zone for the age group catered too. The rooms are small, quite basic, but also kept very clean by staff. Staff is unfailingly polite, notice that dad is often greeted by name by regular staff when we return from an outing. He requires the expected care for someone in their late 80s and we have no concerns at all. Nails, hair, general hygiene have been well maintained. No real complaints from dad that you don't hear from any elderly folks whether at home or in a home. On our end, we only take issue with the extra charge and frankly poor setup for mobility scooter parking. Great job folks!
Summary of Google Reviews
Summarized by Senior Care Path from Birchmere Retirement Residence's Google rating and recent reviews. Confirm specifics with the community.
Birchmere Retirement Residence holds a 3.5-star rating across 27 Google reviews. Recent reviewers most often highlight caring, attentive staff and quality dining and meals.
Most common praise
- Caring, attentive staff
- Quality dining and meals
- Clean, well-kept spaces
- Engaging activities and social life
ThemesStaff & careDiningCleanlinessActivitiesAtmosphere
Google reviews and rating refreshed October 2026.
61/ 100
Confidence Score
Developing
Our 100-point confidence rating
Trust 48/60Verified 13/40
Senior Care Path gives Birchmere Retirement Residence an SCP Confidence Score of 61/100 (Developing), our 100-point trust rating. How we calculate it.
The essentials
- Established
- 1981
Details provided by the operator. Confirm anything time-sensitive, such as pricing and notice periods, directly with the community.
Licenses & Registration
Retirement home licence
LicensedRetirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA)
Licence #N0026 · checked October 2026
View on the public registerProvincial licensing information
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Associations & Accreditations
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Location
234 Bay St, Orillia, ON L3V 3W8, Canada, Orillia, Ontario L3V 3W8
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