Ontario body offers objective information on retirement homes
by Gord White
Living in a retirement home in Ontario ought to be a no-hassle, comforting experience. But when it isn't, there’s an organisation that can help: the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA). In fact, anyone in Ontario - including seniors, their families and retirement-home residents - can call the 1-800 Complaints Response and Information Service free of charge. The line offers help resolving complaints about retirement residences and supplies information about retirement-living services and the options available. ORCA sponsors this line, which also receives funding from the government of Ontario.
ORCA is a voluntary, non-profit association that sets standards and monitors the care provided by its member retirement homes. This complaints and information service, however, applies to all retirement homes in Ontario, not just ORCA member homes. The toll-free line is staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. five days a week, with messages taken during evenings and weekends.
Trained service staff can advise about the following:
- The differences among retirement residences, nursing homes, homes for the aged and the other housing options available to seniors
- How to decide what option is best for you
- What to look for when choosing a retirement residence
- What options are available in your community
- The services and level of care provided in different settings
- Information on local and provincial government regulations governing retirement homes
Staff will also register complaints about any retirement home in Ontario and help callers resolve problems. Depending on the type of complaint, staff might:
- Work with retirement home residents and/or their families and the retirement homes to gather further details and provide hands-on assistance to solve problems.
- Report problems to the appropriate authorities and follow up to ensure the situation has been remedied.
Call 1-800-361-7254, www.orca-homes.com or email info@orca-homes.com.
Take note that many of the Ontario retirement homes listed in Comfort Life are accredited by ORCA.
