FAQ

Although long-term care homes and retirement homes appear similar, there are a number of distinct differences that are important to understand.

Long-term care is best suited for people with chronic conditions that need help to complete daily tasks. The monthly rate for long-term care in Ontario is mandated and subsidized by the provincial government. The monthly rate includes meals, lodging, and care with only a few exceptions, such as personal grooming and some activities. Long-term care homes provide care, support, and supervision for residents 24-7.

A retirement home can be thought of like a condo, with services specially designed for its elderly residents. A regulatory body, the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) ensures standards for these services are met. Residents at a retirement home have the same rights as any other renter in Ontario under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). An agreement is signed between the landlord (retirement home) and the tenant (resident) that includes a list of care services, meals, and accommodation to be provided by the retirement home, and the cost the resident must pay for these services. Although a retirement home may offer a similar level of care as a long-term care home, care services are typically offered a la carte. As care services increase the resident can expect their monthly rate to go up.

Practically, we have found that residents we have spoken to typically feel more comfortable and at-home in a retirement home than in long-term care, but the cost of a retirement home is typically significantly more expensive than a long-term care home.

Long-term care homes offer 24-7 care, support, and supervision for its residents. This not only includes medical care, but also assistance with daily tasks such as getting out of bed, using the bathroom, feeding, and getting around the home. Long-term care homes also offer recreational programming for its residents.

Some long-term care homes are not equipped with the necessary equipment or staff to properly support residents with specific needs. In these instances a long-term care home is allowed to reject the application.

Every retirement home must offer at least two of the following 13 care services to be registered with the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority in Ontario:

• Assistance with bathing
• Assistance with personal hygiene
• Assistance with ambulation
• Assistance with feeding
• Provision of skin and wound care
• Continence care
• Administration of drugs or another substance
• Provision of a meal
• Dementia care program
• Assistance with dressing
• Any service that a member of the Ontario College of Pharmacists provides while engaging in the practice of pharmacy
• Any service that a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario provides while engaging in the practice of medicine
• Any service that a member of the College of Nurses of Ontario provides while engaging in the practice of nursing

You can learn which care services a retirement home offers by clicking on the Care Services tab on the retirement home page on Elderado. Additionally, you can filter by care services required in the Options menu on the map so that only homes that offer the selected care services are displayed.

The first step to apply for long-term care in Ontario is to contact Ontario Health atHome (previously Home and Community Care Support Services) at 310-2222 (no area code is required). A care coordinator at HCCSS will speak with you to determine whether you are eligible for admission to a long-term care home. You can refer yourself or be referred to a care coordinator by a family member, caregiver, physician, nurse, or community worker.

You can learn more about applying for long-term care, the assessment, waitlist, and bed offer by reading our blog about the entire process HERE.

Everyone who applies for long-term care is ranked by category based on their care needs, urgency, and specifications. Placement into categories on the waiting list and rules for ranking within the categories is based on the Fixing Long Term Care Act, 2021.

Generally, applicants within each category are ranked chronologically. One exception is Category 1 - Crisis, where applicants are ranked according to the urgency of their need for admission.

Category 1 (Crisis)

People who need immediate admission to long-term care and cannot have their needs met at home, or who are in hospital when the hospital is in crisis. People in a long-term care home that is closing within 12 weeks.

Category 2 (Partner/spouse reunification)

People who need to be reunified with their spouses/partners who are currently residing in a long-term care home, and who meet eligibility requirements (including care needs).

Category 3A

People waiting for a long-term care home serving those of a particular religion, ethnic origin or culture. People who have high care needs, but can still be supported at home until a bed becomes available. People in a long-term care home seeking transfer to their home of choice.

Category 3B

People waiting for a long-term care home serving those of a particular religion, ethnic origin or culture with care needs but are currently managing at home with supports.

Category 4A

People who have high care needs but can still be supported at home until a bed becomes available.

Category 4B

People with care needs but are currently managing at home with supports.

Veteran

Veterans with care needs but are currently managing at home with supports. They are applying to be placed into a Long-term Care Home with Veteran Priority Access Beds.

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