What are Long-Term Care Homes?
Long-Term Care Homes are places that care for adults who can no longer live independently in their own homes.  Residents living in long-term care have access to 24 hour nursing and personal care, which typically exceeds what an individual would receive in a retirement home or in supportive housing.

Who is Eligible for Long-Term Care?
To live in a long-term care home, an individual must:

  • be 18 yrs or older
  • have a valid Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP) card

An individual must have care needs including:

  • 24 hour nursing and personal care
  • frequent assistance with activities of daily living
  • on-site supervision or monitoring to ensure safety and/or well being
  • care needs which cannot be safely met in the community through publicly-funded community-based services and other care-giving support
  • care needs that can be met in a long-term care home

 How Much Does it Cost to Stay in a Long-Term Care Home?
All personal and nursing care provided by long-term care homes are funded by the government. As a not-for-profit home, we are also extremely thankful to St. Joseph’s Lifecare Foundation for donating funds to enhance our programs, services and equipment needs throughout the site.

Accommodation costs are set by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and are standard across Ontario. An individual must pay for accommodation charges such as room and board.

The current rates are:

  • Long-Stay Basic…………………………………………………………………………$1,774.81/month
  • Long-Stay Semi-Private……………………………………………………………..$2,139.81/month
  • Long-Stay Private………………………………………………………………………$2,535.23/month

 

Who is Eligible for Government Subsidy?
If an individual who requires care in a long-term care home does not have enough income to pay for a basic room, they may be eligible for a subsidy. A subsidy is a rate reduction, but is not available to individuals requesting semi-private or private rooms. If an individual qualifies for a subsidy, a lawful representative must complete an application form and submit it to the long-term care home. If an individual requires assistance to apply for a rate reduction, they may speak with a long-term care home staff member. They will provide direct assistance, including help with filling out an application form.

If a question or concern cannot be answered by our staff, please call the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Homes Action Line at 1.866.434.0144.

What Services can be Expected in a Long-Term Care Home?
An individual living in a long-term care home can expect the following services:

  • shared dining room, TV rooms and other living areas
  • nursing and personal care on a 24 hour basis
  • access to health professionals
  • individual care plan (reviewed every 3 months)
  • furnishings (e.g., bed and chair)
  • meals (including special diets)
  • bed linens and laundry
  • personal hygiene supplies
  • medical/clinical supplies (e.g., walkers and wheelchairs for occasional use)
  • housekeeping
  • individualized religious and spiritual services
  • social and recreational programs
  • medical services
  • assistance with activities of daily living
  • optional services are usually available for a fee such as hairdressing, cable TV, telephone services and transportation

 

What is the Law?
In Ontario, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care regulates, inspects and sets out accommodation fees for all long-term care homes. By law, long-term care homes must provide residents with safe, consistent, high-quality, resident-centered care.

The Provincial Standards for Long-Term Care Homes are set out in:

  • Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007
  • Ontario Regulation 79/10