Birchmere Retirement Residence
53Developing234 Bay St, Orillia, ON L3V 3W8, Canada, Orillia, Ontario
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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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.
Staff-to-resident ratio: awaiting confirmation
Our team has visited this community
Editorial summary by Senior Care Path based on verified listing data, last reviewed 2026-07-07.
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.
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Google Reviews
View all on Google3.3
24 Google reviews
Most recent reviews
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!
Beth Teixeira
a year ago · via Google
I care for an elderly lady privately that lives at this place. I am an end of life doula and a senior care support person. I have NEVER seen care so substandard. The full time nurse is ( Kim ) is very pretentious and does not like anyone that questions her judgement. I repeatedly told Kim about my client and that I suspected she had a UTI as her behaviour was changing. She refused to do the test. Gave lame excuse after lame excuse and questioned me on whether I was telling her how to do her job. It ended up that my client was rushed to hospital and subsequently did have a UTI the doctor said that then developed into pneumonia which nearly depleted her resources for her body. She returned from the hospital back to the nursing care, and the daughter stated that the nurse said that she had to go into the lunch room to eat, even though her mother was technically bedridden implied that if she doesn’t go into the dining hall that she wouldn’t be fed as their policy states that residents have to eat in the dining room. They said that the daughter could buy a reclining wheelchair so she could go into the dining room. The care at this place is horrible. I have repeatedly requested a new remote control for the tv as it only half works and 3 months later nothing Having worked in a multitude of homes in ONT as a Doula and a SSP. This one is the worst I have witnessed. My client is being moved out of this place. She is not properly cared for. It was more than two month before they gave her a bath/ shower. The comment was “ we give really great bed baths” the next comment was I could do it myself. My client is difficult but certainly not the worst client they have. Terrible DO NOT PUT YOUR LOVE ONE IN THIS HOME.
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 3.3-star rating across 24 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
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
Licenses & Registration
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Provincial licensing information
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Associations & Accreditations
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Verifying accreditation
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Key Features
- Lakefront location on Lake Couchiching
- Adjacent to Couchiching Park
- Full-time activity coordinator
- Multi-level care options
- Home-like setting
Accommodation Options
Location
234 Bay St, Orillia, ON L3V 3W8, Canada, Orillia, Ontario L3V 3W8
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