Long Term Care

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In Canada, long term care is required for seniors and others needing access to 24-hour nursing care and daily support services for an array of physical and/or cognitive conditions. Long term care residents are assessed, and deemed eligible, by social service agencies run at the provincial level. People in the later stages of dementias such as Alzheimer's are among those who require this level of care, as well as those with physical or behavioral problems that render them dependent. In general, long term care is the proper solution for those assessed by medical professionals as needing constant monitoring, nursing supervision or other highly specialized care that cannot be met in their own homes, or by other health services. In select regions throughout the country, there are often waiting lists for these facilities.


Quick summary:


Provinces across Canada, including British Columbia, Albert and Ontario, fully fund medical and support services in long term care. Residents are responsible for paying accommodation charges. People assessed by a medical professional as having complex care needs that cannot be met in their own home or by other housing and health services are eligible for long term care. This offers a protective environment staffed by medical and nursing professionals.

Long term care (sometimes abbreviated LTC) will often include a personalized plan of care prepared for each resident. Clients in care receive 24-hour nursing and personal care, with access to a physician or other health-care professionals. Facilities are dedicated entirely to detailed care and are secured for optimal patient safety, medication administered by trained staff and a number of other high level features.

In a number of regions across Canada, waiting lists can be months or even years long. Those in need can avail themselves of other care while they wait, including memory care facilities or assisted living facilities. In some cases, long term care is offered in the same residence or retirement community as other types of care lower on the care continuum. Various short-term stay programs are offered by retirement homes listed here.

Click here for list and map of long term care homes


 

Homes with long term care
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The Manor Villages StayWell Manor  

174 Ypres Green SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2T 6M2

Staywell Manor Village offers elegant retirement living in the heart of Calgary. Whether you are looking for independent living, assisted living or memory care, we have lifestyle options to meet your needs.

Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care

Berwick Royal Oak  

4680 Elk Lake Drive, Victoria, British Columbia, V8Z 0B4

Luxurious, Resort-Style Retirement Living where you can age in place; You’re Home at Last at Berwick Royal Oak on Vancouver Island in beautiful Victoria, BC.

Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Long-term care

Amica West Vancouver   

659 Clyde Avenue, West Vancouver, British Columbia, V7T 1C8

Tucked away between the North Shore Mountains and Pacific Ocean, our residence offers the best of West Vancouver. Enjoy access to trails and shopping—a comfortable yet sophisticated lifestyle at Amica West Vancouver.

Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Long-term care

OPAL Vancouver  

438 West King Edward Ave, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Y 05M

438 West King Edward Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Y 0M5 Opal offers a full continuum of support from Independent Living to Complex Care/Dementia Care/Long Term Care. Allowing the opportunity for aging in place.

Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Memory Care, Long-term care

The Village Langley - Verve Senior Living  

3920 198th Street, Langley, British Columbia, V3A1E1

We believe that the desire for fulfillment and living a life with purpose does not diminish with a diagnosis of dementia. We focus on the possibilities of each person, supporting each to live with laughter, love and joy.

Lifestyle Options: Memory Care, Long-term care

The Wellington  

1430 Upper Wellington Street, Hamilton, Ontario, L9A 5H3

This award winning Hamilton retirement home offers varying senior care. Just minutes away from shopping, theatres, restaurants and major transportation links.

Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Long-term care

Courtyard Gardens - Verve Senior Living  

7051 Moffat Road, Richmond, British Columbia, V6Y 3W2

Courtyard Gardens offers an enriching community, with quality staff & friendly & caring environment. 107 Private & Subsidized suites in Assisted Living, 31 Private Pay Extended Care studio suites & 1 Respite Suite.

Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Long-term care

Magnolia Gardens  

5840 Glover Rd, Langley, British Columbia, V3A 9K3

An oasis in the heart of Langley City, Magnolia Gardens features bright, spacious suites and a warm, friendly atmosphere. Two choices in senior living: 115 independent living suites, and a 40-suite licensed Care Centre.

Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Memory Care, Long-term care

The Waterford  

1345 56th Street, Tsawwassen, British Columbia, V4L 2P9

Featuring bright suites surrounded by pedestrian pathways, and a two-acre water feature in Tsawwassen town-centre. Two choices in all-inclusive senior housing: independent living and a licensed Care Centre suites.

Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Memory Care, Long-term care

The Village of Winston Park  

695 Block Line Road, Kitchener, Ontario, N2E 3K1

This elegant retirement residence in Kitchener-Waterloo offers a continuum of care from independent living apartments to assisted living, memory care and long-term care.

Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care

Berwick House  

4062 Shelbourne Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8N 3E6

Berwick House offers comfort, security and our usual high standard of affordable luxury. Steps away from a mall, cinema and other conveniences, you’ll find everything you need for an independent and active lifestyle.

Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Long-term care

The Village of Humber Heights  

2245 Lawrence Avenue West, Etobicoke, Ontario, M9P 3W3

The Village of Humber Heights is a retirement community that offers various lifestyle options and levels of services ranging from independent living with meals, to assisted living, memory care, and long-term care.

Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care

River Ridge Seniors Village  

#4 River Ridge Dr. N.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8V1

A premier Park Place residence in the heart of Medicine Hat offering independent living, supportive living, and long term care options. With spectacular views and services, River Ridge is a warm place to call home.

Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care

The Vineyards Residence  

726 Valley Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 0E9

The Vineyards approach to assisted living & memory care allows people to go about life as they always have, despite health changes. Beautiful suites & homemade meals. Discover for yourself why we say Life’s Better Here

Lifestyle Options: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care

Hawthorn Park Retirement Community - Verve Senior Living  

867 KLO Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1Y 9G5

Living at Hawthorn Park Retirement Residence means you have choices & can customize the services you need, as you need them. We offer three lifestyle opportunities; supportive living, assisted living & complex care.

Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care

The Village at University Gates  

250 Laurelwood Drive, Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 0E2

Now welcoming our Retirement Home Residents to the Village. We offer Waterloo a range of services for today's Senior including Retirement Apartments, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Long Term Care.

Lifestyle Options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care

The Village of Glendale Crossing  

3030 Singleton Avenue, London, Ontario, N6L 0B6

A true retirement hub featuring independent Living Apartments with full kitchens, Retirement Apartments, Full Service Retirement suites with walk out patios, Assisted Care, Memory Care and LTC.

Lifestyle Options: Apartments, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care

The Village of Riverside Glen  

60 Woodlawn Road East, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 8M8

This elegant Guelph retirement home offers a range of care including assisted living and long term care, serviced by a friendly, caring staff.

Lifestyle Options: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care

Home care companies

Nurse For Care  

2390 Eglinton Avene East, Suite #224, Toronto, Ontario, M1K 2P5

We offer Caregiver, PSW & RPN services in a Customized, Affordable way to all ages & needs in GTA, Hamilton, Durham, Sudbury or anywhere in Ontario at Home, Hospital, Rehab, Retirement home, & Long-term care facilities.

Lifestyle Options: Respite care, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care, Home Care

In-Home Assisted Living Inc.  

2 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario, M4V 3A1

In-Home Assisted Living offers caregivers and nurses to help seniors and people with medical challenges to remain living in their own home with safety and comfort. Also ask about our hospital bedside support.

Lifestyle Options: Respite care, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care, Home Care

Richmond Heights Health Clinic and Home Care  

10520 Yonge Street, Unit 4, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4C 3C7

Richmond Heights Health Clinic & Home Care, provides compassionate 24 hour personalized senior care services with bonded, registered & licensed Nurses / RPN's, in your home, hospital, rehab, LTC & retirement communities.

Lifestyle Options: Respite care, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long-term care, Home Care




 

In the case of seniors who find themselves in deteriorating mental or physical health (or both) or with increased medical needs, there is a process for determining whether or not they need to be committed to long term care. Family members, along with the senior (as long as he or she is able), will consult with medical authorities who decide that you qualify for publicly subsidized residential care services.

With this assessment, your clinical care requirements will be determined and laid out, including specific nursing care, assistive facilities and other needs (see below). You are then referred to a government health service (such as the LHIN in Ontario, or BC Health Services in British Columbia) for coordination. It may be determined that there is a specific facility that best meets your needs, and you are able to move right in. On the other hand, families may need to look around at what is available, take tours (strongly advised), and decide on their own preferences. In many cases, room is simply not available, so the patient is put on a waiting list.

 

Negotiating the waiting list
The waiting list is a priority access list. If you do not accept a bed that is given to you, your name gets dropped to the bottom of the list. Experts from alzlive.com warn that the government will always tell you there is a bed available... but be cautious. It may be miles away from where you live or from where you want your loved one to be. Or it may be a home that you just don't want to put your parent or loved one into. (There may be many reasons for this. You will see when you actually check out homes yourself.)

You need to check out homes in advance and decide for yourself what is best for you and your loved one.

As some authorities caution, government agencies will, in fact, pressure you to accept what they offer. Know what you want and be willing to wait for it. Don't bow to this pressure without consideration. It's better to stand your ground and to ultimately wait things out to get a home that is acceptable to you. Your parent could be there for a very long time, so you want to make sure that you made the right long term decision. Look ahead and create a nursing care plan for dementia that helps you make the best decision in situations like this.

Take Comfort: retirement home reviews
Read reviews of retirement homes to find the best place near you, before you choose any community.

More about long term care

In the Comfort Life Spotlight


 

Long term care facilities (sometimes called continuing care) are limited by space, number of beds, staff shortages and other factors. Because of that, there is a wait time in many areas of the country – to get into any facility in some areas, or certainly to get into the facility you prefer. If you are offered a bed in a facility that is not your first choice, you may choose to accept it, then wait for a transfer.

There are a variety of other solutions offered by the senior care industry to help seniors:

Home care services, adult day programs and other programs are solutions that can help alleviate the needs of seniors who may have deteriorating health or suffering from dementia. You may be able to hire 24-hour care as a means of waylaying the need for long term care. While these services do not provide a full solution to those who have been assessed as having long term care needs, they offer help, therapies and detailed care.

Short-stay programs, while you wait. For those requiring more extensive care than that, for-profit retirement homes offer a number of solutions, including trial stay programs. Homes listed above tend to specialize in these types of offerings for families waiting for long term care. Programs may be costlier than government-backed long term care, but these solutions will be tailored to the needs of long term care patients and will certainly offer peace of mind for families while they wait.

For example, St. Hilda's Towers in Toronto has a Safe Harbour program — and there are others like it — offering specialized care with specially tailored (sometimes personalized) programming, support, care and services. These will often be for a flat monthly fee, and if extra care is needed, this can be hired in or paid for, where the retirement residence has services available. Short stays (or respite care) offer an ideal solution for as long as required, until a proper long term care facility become available.

Memory care facilities, for those with Alzheimer's and other dementias, are another smart temporary solution, while you wait for long term care. These facilities offer peace of mind and are an ideally robust solution for many people waiting for a bed to open in long term care. Families will try to get in to the facility of their choice by paying for residential care such as memory care or highly dedicated assisted living in that same facility.

Long term care facilities are licensed and governed very differently from retirement homes, even though in some cases they may be closely affiliated with retirement residences and communities. Access to long term care is coordinated through government agencies in provinces across Canada. Retirement homes, for the most part, are populated with people who decide on their own (to varying degrees) that they need to move there.


 

Within the long term care industry, there is a spectrum of quality, availability and value of care. Some homes may be easy to get into (no waiting list) but these may be undesirable for other reasons. As with many things, there may be, unfortunately or inevitably, tiers to the system, and the old adage 'you get what you pay for' may be applicable.


 

When you have, or your loved one has, been assessed as needing long term care, and you begin your search, there are a number of factors to bear in mind. Ideally, you have discussed this before, either with the loved one or within your family, and you know where you want to go and you know what some or all of your options are. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many families, and the situation may be imperative. Any perceived urgency should never cloud your judgement, though; take time to explore your options as a fully as the situation allows for, or as you have time to.

The quality of care offered varies from one facility to another, both within the realm of for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. When you check into the quality of homes, you may read reviews, which can certainly offer some helpful guidelines. Bear in mind, though, that some negative reactions may come from the fact that people's expectations of care staff and their abilities may be too high.

Here are some important things to bear in mind as you begin the search for long-term care:

Talk before
Ideally, talk about preferences while your loved one's cognitive abilities are still intact. If your loved one is in the early stages of dementia, then get answers from them as soon as possible, when they are optimally lucid. Perhaps even record them, so you remember them later.

Not sure how to talk to your parents about long-term care? Watch The Talk.

Touring homes
On-site tours allow you to get a good "feel" of the community and range of services offered there. Take our checklist, add your own notes and questions. Bring a close relative or a friend — several sets of eyes are better than one.


 

Long term care is government-funded across Canada, so costs vary only slightly from one province to the next. Here's an overview.

Location
Cost from
Care details included
Vancouver, BC
private
varies
Calgary, AB
$1,465
various care, standard room
Guelph, ON
$1,774
housekeeping, meals, bathing (1x/week), dressing, transfer, incontinence, medication administration, memory care
Toronto, ON
$1,795
housekeeping, meals, bathing (1x/week), transfer, dressing, feeding, incontinence, medication administration

The above is simply a survey, taken from homes listed here at Comfort Life. You will need to consult with individual homes to learn exact costs and care offered.

Take a closer look at costs in your province:

Paying

Fees cover room and board only. Costs for this are not prohibitive, as you see above. Consider that homes take care of all other typical household costs.

If you are on a waiting list, and you want to get the best care possible for your loved one while you wait, consider typical means by which families pay for seniors' care. Your loved one may have had the foresight to purchase long-term care insurance, which can ease the burden of paying for a short term stay in a retirement home.


 

Many homes listed here also offer palliative care. Palliative care focuses on the prevention and relief of suffering of elders who may have a terminal illness. Care provided may include therapies and medication, including pain relief.

Palliative care seniors' homes offer:

Find out more about the benefits of getting palliative care in a retirement residence.

The goal is to keep our residents physically, cognitively and spiritually active. We often have residents come up to us after an activity to say it was wonderful.

 

These are still called "nursing homes"
Long-term care is the preferred term for communities that provide comprehensive personal, medical, and emotional support. That said, it’s more than just terminology. Nursing homes were places that operated, historically, within a specific model, often without attention to needs beyond those that were medically required. That said, nurses are still a prominent presence in the communities above. You can take a closer look at nursing titles in our updated look at skilled nursing care.

Contemporary long-term care residences have grown away from a hospital model, directly countering the clinical impression many people have. Communities strive to provide a variety of lifestyle options, health services and amenities to make every resident feel safe, welcome and fully supported through any challenges they may be facing. Staffing ratios are high, as is an attention to very personal, consistent care and companionship.

Retirement homes are no different from long-term care homes
There is a world of difference. Long-term care homes are part of our publicly funded and regulated health-care system; retirement homes are a housing option for seniors, and include independent living. Admission to a long-term care home is based on assessed medical need, while retirement living is often a matter of personal choice and resources. People sometimes move into a retirement home because they no longer wish to cook for themselves, drive, or live alone. The move into long term care is more likely based on medical requirements.

Long-term care is not well regulated
With a regulatory framework that includes more than 400 care and service delivery criteria, unannounced annual inspections, a public complaints hotline and a website that identifies each home's compliance and complaint record, long-term care is our most heavily and publicly regulated health care service.

Long-term care services are delivered by a team of health care professionals. The concept of home is pervasive. Residents and their families participate in care planning, and in the life of the home through resident and family councils.

In Ontario, you can discover this reality from a variety of sources. These include Community Care Access Centres and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care website. As well, the website of the Ontario Long Term Care Association contains contact information for over 420 member homes and a checklist for consumers to help find the right fit in choosing a long-term care home. Most importantly, visit a long-term care home to see for yourself.

Putting my loved one into long-term care is going to break the bank
Nobody is refused access to long-term care because of financial difficulty. A government subsidy, based on an income test, is available for residents unable to afford the full amount of the resident co-payment for basic accommodation, currently less than $50 per day.

Compiled with the assistance of the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA), the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors (OANHSS: re-branded as AdvantAge Ontario, as of 2017), the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and Statistics Canada.




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