Long-term care homes are designed for people who require the availability of 24-hour nursing care and supervision within a secure setting. In general, long-term care homes offer higher levels of personal care and support than those typically offered by either retirement homes or supportive housing.

Long-term care homes are owned and operated by various organizations :

• Nursing homes are usually operated by private corporations.
• Municipal homes for the aged are owned by municipal councils. Many municipalities are required to build a home for the aged in their area, either on their own or in partnership with a neighbouring municipality.
• Charitable homes are usually owned by non-profit corporations, such as faith, community, ethnic or cultural groups.

• Accommodations
• Services
• Costs
• Government Legislation and Monitoring
• Making a Complaint
• How to apply
• Related links

Long-term care homes offer a variety of accommodation options. People living in a home pay a fee for accommodation that is based on the type or style of accommodation. "Preferred Accommodation" is the term used to describe private or semi-private rooms with special features, whereas "Basic or Standard Accommodation" refers to the style of rooms that the home offers in this category.

Note that the features of basic and preferred accommodation will vary according to when the particular home was constructed or renovated.

All long-term care homes have dining rooms and common rooms, and may also have features such as a lounge, gift shop, beauty salon, chapel, or garden.

All long term care homes offer 24-hour supervision and nursing care.

The basic package includes the following services :

• Furnishings (e.g. bed, chair), meals (including special diets), bed linens and laundry, personal hygiene supplies, medical/clinical supplies and devices (e.g. walkers, wheelchairs for occasional use), housekeeping, pastoral services, social and recreational programs, medication administration, and assistance with the essential activities of daily living.
• Nursing and personal care on a 24-hour basis and access to a physician, and other health professionals.

Optional services are usually available for a fee. They may include hairdressing, cable TV and telephone services, transportation, etc.

Homes must prepare a "plan of care" for each resident, outlining the care requirements and levels of service offered. This plan must be reviewed at least every three months and adapted as your needs change.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) provides funding for homes. The amount paid by residents for their accommodation is called a "co-payment".

There are two different terms used to define the length a person stays in a home :

1. Long Stay refers to accommodations that are obtained for an indefinite period of time.
2. Short Stay refers to temporary stays at a home. The maximum number of days a person can stay is 90 days per year.There are two types of short stay :

• The short-stay respite service provides a caregiver with a break from caregiving duties.
• The supportive care service provides the resident support to regain strengthand confidence, usually following a stay in a hosptial.

The MOHLTC sets accomodation co-payment rates. The following table shows resident co-payment rates effective August 1, 2006. The co-payment rates change from time to time (at a minimum, annually). For the most up-to-date rates, contact the staff at your local Community Care Access Centre.

*Optional services (e.g. cable TV or hairdressing), can be purchased for an additional fee.

There is no preferred accommodation surcharge for short-stay residents.

Some long-stay residents in basic accommodation may be eligible for a rate reduction. The home Administrator can provide a rate reduction application form to residents to complete.

If your income is not sufficient to pay for the basic accommodation rate, there is a subsidy available to reduce your accommodation rate. Subsidies are only available for basic accommodation.

If you are moving into a long-term care home and your spouse requires financial assistance to remain in his or her home, there is a government benefit called "Exceptional Circumstances" for people with lower incomes or couples who have to live separately. For more information, contact your local Community Care Access Centre.

There are three pieces of provincial legislation governing long-term care homes. These are: the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act, the Nursing Home Act, and the Charitable Institutions Act.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) sets standards for care and inspects long-term care homes annually. It also sets the rules governing eligibility and waiting lists. All homes must post and follow a Residents' Bill of Rights. The MOHLTC encourages homes to get accredited by the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA) by providing a funding incentive to CCHSA accredited homes.

The MOHLTC conducts annual compliance reviews and homes are required to post this report to make it available to residents, families and prospective residents. To obtain a home's compliance report, you can ask the home directly or contact your MOHLTC regional office.

Quality care matters. If you want more information, have a concern or want to register a complaint about a long-term care home, Call this toll-free number :

Long-Term Care ACTION Line 1-866-434-0144
7 days a week, 8:30AM-7:00PM

All applications to long-term care homes are coordinated by your local Community Care Access Centre (CCAC). Once your CCAC has determined that you are eligible, your next step is to choose the homes you wish to apply to. You may apply to a maximum of three homes. The only exceptions to this rule are if you are applying for the "short-stay" program or if you are considered to require "immediate admission".

Your local CCAC will provide you with lists and information about homes in your area. You can also find a home in your area by using the home locator on this site.

Your CCAC can also provide more detailed information about how to apply for and select a home, and also prepare for a move to a home.

Please refer to the Finding a Provider section for tips on selecting a provider and the Links and Resources section for more information.

• Ontario Long Term Care Association
• Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors

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