Articles

Senior Homes Defined

Taken from Help’s Here, Spring/Summer 06 and Janet Cox

Many of our clients have expressed confusion about terminology and the differences between Residential Retirement Homes, Nursing Homes, Homes for the Aged, Long-Term Care Facilities, and Assisted Living.

Homes for the Aged and Nursing Homes are Long-Term Care Facilities. Nursing Homes are regulated under the Nursing Home Act and Homes for Aged are municipally-owned Long-Term Care Facilities regulated under the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act. Homes for the Aged and Nursing Homes pre-date the development of other kinds of Long-Term Care Facilities in Ontario. They are now funded in the same way as other Long-Term Care Facilities.

Long-Term Care Facilities or Homes for the Aged or Nursing Homes are designed to help elderly persons who require 24-hour assistance. In Ontario, Long-Term Care Facilities are licensed, regulated and funded by the provincial government. They can be not-for-profit or for-profit. There are three types of ownership: private for profit & not-for-profit, charitable and municipal. The Government regulates resident care and contributes funding for nursing, programs, activities, and the dietary needs of a resident.

Residents in a Long-Term Care Facility are responsible for the accommodation portion of their daily rate, which may be subsidized, depending on their financial circumstances.

One should always check that a Long-Term Care Facility has been regularly inspected and request to see the documentation to that effect. To apply for accommodation in a Long-Term Care facility, you must contact your local Community Care Access Centre (CCAC).

Not-for-Profit-Long-Term Care Facilities are those owned by municipal governments, charities, and private not-for-profits. Homes for the Aged are an example of Not-for-Profit Long-Term Care Facilities as are charitable homes for the aged regulated under the Charitable Institutions Act.

All Not-for-Profit Long-Term Care Facilities fall under the same Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care regulations, classification and program standards and enjoy the same funding formula as “for profit” facilities. Not-for-Profit providers that generate a surplus re-invest these monies to enhance or increase the level of service provided to residents.

Residential Retirement Homes/ Communities offer independent living, usually in an apartment type condominium, or house where the community amenities are geared towards retirement living.

Assisted Living is for seniors who require assistance with the activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, personal hygiene and medication monitoring. Assisted living facilities offer these services as well as some health care services.

Care Homes / Residences offer health care services and services which provide assistance with the activities of daily living only.

Continuum of Care facilities recognize the need to provide multi-levels of care to those with progressive disabilities so that residents are not required to move as their condition deteriorates. These facilities provide a “Continuum of Care” with separate wings, floors, rental, supportive and/or life lease housing catering to specific requirements. Some of these facilities have secure floors for those suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Palliative Care (or end of life care) is provided in hospitals, hospices, and some Long-Term Care Facilities. Palliative Care may also be provided at home with private care or publicly funded care delivered through local CCAC.

Complex Continuing Care (formerly known as “Chronic Care”) refers to ongoing, high-level, medical attention in a hospital-like setting. Some Long-Term Care Facilities provide this. Generally this type of care is provided to an individual with a lasting condition which may often be severe.