Care and support - Housing options - Long-term care homes

Although the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care funds and also regulates long term care homes, the homes are owned by various organizations including:

• Nursing homes operated by private companies.
• Municipal homes for the aged built and owned by municipal councils who may be required to build facilities to support older adults.
• Charitable homes owned by non-profit corporations (for example, faith, community, ethnic or cultural groups). 

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care sets standards for care and inspects homes annually. The Ministry also sets rules about eligibility and waiting lists. All homes must post and follow a Resident's Bill of Rights. The Ministry of Health also encourages homes to get accredited by Accreditation Canada. 

There are several types of accommodations offered in a long term care home. The fee for a long term care home, which is standardized across the province, is based on the type of accommodation you choose. They include:

• Private or semi private accommodation (a private room with special features)
• Basic or Standard Accommodations (various styles depending on when the home was built)
• All long term care homes have dining rooms and common rooms and may also have features such as a lounge, gift shop, beauty salon/barber shop, chapel and garden.

Source: The information above comes from Government of Ontario. (1999). A Guide to Advance Care Planning. (c) Queen's Printer for Ontario, 1999.

All long term care homes provide 24 hour supervision and nursing care. The basic package includes the following services:

• Furnishings (e.g. bed, chair)
• Meals (including special diets)
• Medical/clinical supplies and devices (e.g., walkers, wheelchairs)
• Housekeeping services
• Pastoral services
• Social and Recreational programs
• Medication administration
• Assistance with the essential activities of daily living
• Nursing care and access to a physician and other health professionals
• Optional services include: hairdressing, TV, telephone services and transportation 

Source: The information above comes from Government of Ontario. (1999). A Guide to Advance Care Planning. (c) Queen's Printer for Ontario, 1999.

A long term care home must prepare a "plan of care" for each resident outlining which services are needed for you. These plans should be developed in consultation with the resident and/or family partner in care. The plan must be reviewed at least every three months and adapted as your needs change. 

Source: The information above comes from Government of Ontario. (1999). A Guide to Advance Care Planning. (c) Queen's Printer for Ontario, 1999.

Long stay refers to accommodations obtained for as long as a person requires care. In most cases, those that apply for a long term care home are applying for long stay.

Another less common option provided by long term care homes however is short stay, which refers to a temporary stay at a home. The maximum number of days a person can stay per year is 90 days. Short term stay is also divided into two categories:

• Respite care can provide a break for care partners
• Supportive care provides you with support to regain strength after a hospital stay 

Source: The information above comes from Government of Ontario. (1999). A Guide to Advance Care Planning. (c) Queen's Printer for Ontario, 1999.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care provides funding for care homes. The amount that you will have to pay is called a "co-payment". The co-payment rates are standardized across the province, meaning that you pay the same amount for the same services regardless of the long term care home. For those who cannot afford a long term care home, there is an option for financial support.

For the most up-to-date information on the cost of long term care home and subsidy options, contact your local Local Health Integration Network

Source: The information above comes from Government of Ontario. (1999). A Guide to Advance Care Planning. (c) Queen's Printer for Ontario, 1999.

If you require some help to pay for your accommodation, there is a subsidy available to reduce your costs. Subsidies are not available if you are staying in preferred accommodations (e.g., private or semi-private).

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. The Local Health Integration Network can provide you with information about this benefit. 

Source: The information above comes from Government of Ontario. (1999). A Guide to Advance Care Planning. (c) Queen's Printer for Ontario, 1999.

All applications to long term care homes are coordinated by your Local Health Integration Network. Once the Local Health Integration Network determines your eligibility (see eligibility requirements above), the next steps are:

• Review the list of homes available in your area provided by your local Local Health Integration Network
• Visit the home(s) you are most interested in
• Choose the home(s) you wish to apply to
• Apply to the Local Health Integration Network for residential care in the home(s) you are most interested in

If you require a "short-stay", or if you need to be admitted to a long term care home immediately, than this process will be different. Please contact your local Local Health Integration Network

After visiting a number of homes and deciding which are best suited for you, and you apply through the Local Health Integrated Network, it becomes a waiting game. When a bed becomes available in one of the homes you have selected, you will be contacted by your Case Manager and offered the bed. At that time you will have 24 hours to make a decision. You then have five days to move in to the long term care home. 

Source: The information above comes from Government of Ontario. (1999). A Guide to Advance Care Planning. (c) Queen's Printer for Ontario, 1999.