What's the Difference Between Retirement Homes, Seniors Buildings and Long-Term Care in Ontario

LEVEL OF CARE                   

KEY FEATURES

Independent                        
Seniors’ Apartments

• Private rental apartment; may have Rent Geared to Income.
• May have some Supportive Housing services, meals for purchase, social programs, visiting MD.

Supportive Housing

• Independent apartments with a care component.
• 24/7 availability of support workers – can assist with meal preparation and homemaking.
• Subsidies are available in some buildings.

Retirement
Residences

(sometimes called Assisted Living, Retirement Homes,
Retirement Communities)

• Privately owned and operated (some are owned by not-for-profit organizations).
• Accommodation is mostly private – rooms, suites or apartments, some homes have semi-private units.
• Services provided usually include: social/recreational activities, housekeeping, most/some/all meals, minimal assistance with personal care (may be a fee involved), 24-hour staff – additional care may have to be purchased.
• Licensed and regulated by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA).
• Must abide by the Retirement Homes Act, 2010; the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, Health Protection and Promotion Act, fire and building codes.
• Apply directly to the home.
• Cost is determined by individual homes based on various factors.
• No government subsidies are available.

Long-Term

Care Homes

(formerly
called Nursing
Homes)

• Ownership/operation may be private, not-for-profit, municipal or charitable.
• Provide 24-hour assistance with personal care, eating, bathing, medications, medical/nursing needs.
• Amenities, recreational activities vary; housekeeping, laundry services, and meals are included.
• Cost of care/support is covered by the provincial government. 
• Residents pay room & board portion (called the “co-payment”).
• Standardized rates across the province set by the government; subsidies available for those unable to pay ward rate.
• Maybe waiting lists.
• Apply through local LHIN – maximum of five choices, first one to come available must be accepted.
• Residents must be medically stable but usually require care of some kind; maybe cognitively impaired.
• All homes are licensed, regulated, and funded by the provincial government under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007.

Complex Continuing Care

• Hospital-like facilities.
• Patient must have very heavy care needs that cannot be managed in a long-term care home, be medically unstable or have complex issues that require frequent nursing/medical attention.
• Usually admitted directly from an acute care hospital.