Here’s a list of quick facts about retirement living in Canada
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About Finding a Retirement Home
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What do retirement homes cost?
• Broad range of fees; anywhere from $1,000 to $4,500 per month; CMHC survey reported average of $2,190
• Non-profit retirement residences often offer subsidies for low-income seniors
Who is eligible?
• There is no central processing agency
• Interested seniors must apply directly to the residence of their choice
• Applicants may be requested to undergo medical examinations prior to being accepted
Trends in retirement homes
- Living spaces are becoming larger; operators don't build shared rooms anymore
- Increased demand for more varied recreational and social activities; at least one location responded to residents' requests and created wine-making rooms, others have fitness clubs or home theatres
How to assess home health-care services
- What are the amenities?
- Do the recreational programs suit my interests and tastes?
- Is there supervision with medication?
- Is there a visiting physician and dental service?
- Is on-site nursing available?
- Are there suites with a kitchenette?
- What is the daily or monthly rate?
- How often have rates increased?
- Are there charges for the additional services I may want or need?
- What happens if my health deteriorates?
How are retirement homes regulated?
- In many Canadian provinces, retirement homes fall under landlord tenant laws. For example, in Ontario, the Tenant Protection Act requires a written tenancy agreement for each resident.
- Also in Ontario, retirement homes are not regulated or funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care
- Accommodation rates are subject to rent control
- Subject to public health regulations, fire and building codes; some jurisdictions have municipal bylaws that pertain to operation of a retirement residence
- In Ontario, professional operating standards, inspections and accreditation have been established by the self-regulatory, voluntary membership-based Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA)
- The Retirement Home Complaints Response and Information Service (CRIS) is a government-funded toll-free hotline that anyone in Ontario can call to get help resolving a complaint about any retirement residence or to get more information on care options available (1-800-361-7254)
Quick facts about Ontario nursing homes and retirement homes
- Ontario has 37,279 beds (CMHC survey) and about 900 retirement residences
- Average age of residents is 83 (CMHC survey)
- Average size is 40-50 units with some as large as 150-200 units and some as small as 20 units
Retirement Home Options
