We're here for you.
Looking for information on not-for-profit long term care homes,
housing and community services for seniors? Let us help guide you in
understanding the system in Ontario so you can make the decisions that
are right for you.
What options are available?
The range of supports and services for seniors in Ontario is
extensive and can be intimidating for you or if someone you care about
is needing support or assistance in their daily lives. Generally
speaking, there are three areas to consider, and there are OANHSS
members to serve you in each section.
Seniors' housing
Home and community services
Long term care homes
(for information on finding out how to access the services listed below
go to "Where
Do I Start")
Housing
There are a number of housing options seniors can choose from but
the availability varies from community to community:
-
Seniors'/Social
Housing
Independent living but in an atmosphere conducive to
seniors - includes non-profit, public, and co-op housing. The purpose is
to provide affordable housing for people with low to moderate
incomes.
-
Adult Lifestyle
Communities
Small homes or condominium-style dwellings, geared to the needs of
independent seniors, built in an area usually close to other services
and amenities.
-
Supportive
Housing
Designed for people who only need minimal to moderate care -- such as
homemaking or personal care and support – to live independently.
Accommodations usually consist of rental units within an apartment
building.
-
Life Lease
A relatively new housing option that is somewhat similar
to condominium style living but residents neither rent nor own the unit
- they purchase a "right to occupy" - most life lease projects are
operated by not-for-profits.
-
Retirement Homes
Generally designed for seniors who are able to manage and pay for their
own care. May be operated on a not-for-profit basis, but generally run
as for-profit businesses - there is no government funding or
regulations.
more on seniors' housing...
Home and Community
Services
Each community in Ontario has its own selection of available
services. User fees usually apply. They may include:
-
Visiting Health Professional
Services
Professionals that help people maintain or improve their health, or
teach people to care for themselves - includes nurses, physiotherapists,
occupational therapists, social workers, speech-language pathologists
and dietitians.
-
Personal Care and
Support
Refers to the help you can get with a range of essential daily living
activities such as personal hygiene, assistance with eating,
transferring and positioning, escorting to appointments, etc.
-
Homemaking
Help with routine household activities including meal preparation,
shopping, light housecleaning, laundry, banking, etc.
-
Community Support
Services
In addition to those listed above there are a range of other services
that may be available in the community such as: transportation, meal
services, home maintenance and repair, friendly visiting, security
checks, foot care, caregiver support, respite care, home help, emergency
response systems, etc.
more
on community services...
Long Term Care
Homes
Funded and regulated by the provincial government and generally for
those for whom there is no longer sufficient support for them to live
independently in the community. People living in a home pay a fee for
accommodation, which is set by the government and is based on the type
of accommodation chosen (e.g. basic/standard, semi-private or
private).
-
Municipal and Charitable
Homes
Both municipal and charitable homes are operated on a not-for-profit
basis. Charitable homes are usually owned by non-profit corporations,
such as faith, community, ethnic or cultural groups. Municipal homes are
owned by municipal councils. Municipalities are required to operate a
long term care home in their area, either on their own or in partnership
with a neighbouring municipality.
-
Nursing Homes
Operated primarily on a for-profit basis although there are some that
are owned by non-profit corporations such as faith, community, ethnic or
cultural groups.
Features of these long term care homes
include:
-
care provided on a 24-hour basis: supervision of medications,
bathing, dietitian-supervised meals, nursing care including complex care
such as oxygen therapy, help with dressing and grooming, provision of
available therapies for rehabilitation (speech, physiotherapy,
etc.).
-
daily provision of special activities for the emotional, physical
and spiritual needs of residents.
-
may provide "respite" care through short stays in the home to give
everyone a rest from giving care at home.
-
funded by the province, the residents, and in the case of
not-for-profits, by their municipalities and charities.
more on long term care homes...