Elder Care Navigation
Elder care in Ontario includes two main types of licensed elder care homes: long-term care homes and retirement homes.
What is a Long-Term Care Home?
- Long-term care homes are provincially funded, and licensed by the Ministry of Long-Term Care.
- Admission is coordinated through Ontario Health atHome.
- Residents receive 24-hour nursing care, personal support, and help with daily living.
- Accommodation rates are set by the province, and financial assistance is available for low income residents.
- Waitlists are triaged based on care needs, not time spent waiting.
- Long-term care is most appropriate for people with complex medical needs or significant cognitive decline.
What is a Retirement Home?
- They are privately operated and licensed by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority.
- Families connect with retirement homes directly to discuss availability, care options, and costs.
- Homes can offer a range of support, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and in some cases palliative care.
- Retirement homes are private pay, and fees are set by each operator.
- As support needs increase, the monthly cost will also increase.
- Homes typically offer daily activities, socialization, and cognitive engagement.
How to Compare Elder Care Options
Families can use Elderado to search, filter, compare, and contact every licensed retirement home and long-term care home in Ontario. Elderado helps you understand levels of care, explore services, and see what each home offers.
The Retirement Living Availability Registry (RLAR) shows which retirement homes currently have suites available, making it easier to understand your options if care needs change and you need to find support quickly.
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Retirement Homes
A retirement home is a private residence where older adults can live independently, with access to care services, meals, activities, and social and cognitive engagement. Homes may offer independent living, assisted living, memory care, and short term (respite) stays.
What is the difference between a retirement home and a long-term care home?
Retirement homes offer private-pay housing with flexible support services and are designed to provide comfort, safety, and a meaningful quality of life. Many retirement homes offer all your meals, social activities, recreational opportunities, and community events that help residents stay engaged and connected. They are suitable for older adults who are independent or need varying levels of support.
Long-term care homes provide 24-hour nursing and personal care for people with high care needs or complex medical conditions. Admission to long-term care is managed through Ontario Health atHome, and residents pay a co-pay fee to contribute towards the cost of accommodations and meals.
How can I find retirement homes with availability?
The Retirement Living Availability Registry on Elderado shows which retirement homes have current availability. You can find suites in independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care.
What levels of care are available in retirement homes?
Levels of care vary by home, but commonly include independent living, assisted living, memory care, and short-term or respite stays. Some retirement homes offer a full continuum of care, while others focus on a specific level of support.
How much does it cost to live in a retirement home?
Costs vary depending on suite size, care needs, services, location, and amenities, and fees are set by each operator. In Durham Region, independent living starts around $3,000 per month, assisted living starts around $4,000 per month, and memory care starts around $6,000 per month. Monthly rates will differ based on the level of care, the home, and the type of accommodation.
Care provided by a retirement home is private pay and is paid by the resident, while care in long-term care is covered by the province and residents are only required to pay a co-pay fee to contribute towards the cost of accommodation and meals.
You can find the starting price for most retirement homes on Elderado.
What is a licensed retirement home?
A licensed retirement home meets the safety and care standards set by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) and is required to follow the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 and the Residents’ Bill of Rights. All licensed retirement homes are required to post their RHRA license in a visible place in the home.
What is an unlicensed retirement home?
An unlicensed retirement home is any retirement home, retirement community, or 55+ community that is not licensed by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA). Unlicensed retirement homes are not inspected by the RHRA, nor are the residents protected by the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 and the Residents’ Bill of Rights. All licensed retirement homes are required to post their RHRA license in a visible place in the home.
Long-Term Care Home
A long-term care home is a provincially subsidized home that provides 24-hour nursing and personal support for people who can no longer safely live at home due to complex medical or cognitive needs.
What is the difference between long-term care and retirement homes?
Long-term care homes provide 24-hour nursing and personal support for people with high or complex care needs. They are publicly funded, regulated by the Ministry of Long-Term Care, and admission is managed by Ontario Health atHome. Residents pay a co-pay fee to contribute towards the cost of accommodations and meals.
Retirement homes are privately operated, licensed by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority, and offer housing with flexible support services. They can provide independent living, assisted living, memory care, and in some cases palliative care, and families connect with the home directly. Care provided by a retirement home is private pay and is paid by the resident.
How do I apply for long-term care?
Applications are completed through Ontario Health atHome. A care coordinator will assess eligibility, discuss your preferred homes, review your care needs, and help complete the application.
You can call Ontario Health atHome on someone else’s behalf to request an assessment or begin the conversation. The individual applying will still need to provide consent during the formal process.
How does the waitlist for long-term care work?
Waitlists are based on a person’s care needs, not how long they have been waiting. Ontario uses Placement Priority Categories to triage access to beds.
The main categories include:
- Category 1: People who require immediate admission for safety or medical reasons
- Category 2: People waiting in hospital who can no longer safely return home
- Category 3: People living in the community with high needs
- Category 4A and 4B: People with lower or more stable care needs who are managing at home with support
Everyone in Category 1 is offered available beds before anyone in Category 2, and so on.
How much does long-term care cost?
Residents are responsible for a co-payment amount set by the province, and these rates are the same across Ontario. Care services are funded through the Ministry of Long-Term Care. As of July 1, 2025, the monthly rates are:
- Basic: $2,085.37
- Semi-private: $2,371.59 to $2,514.24
- Private: $2,728.38 to $2,979.32
Rates are reviewed annually by the province.
What if I cannot afford long-term care?
Ontario offers a Rate Reduction Program for residents who cannot afford the full basic accommodation rate.
Key points about the Rate Reductions Program include:
- The subsidy applies to basic rooms, and semi-private rooms in the event spouses or partners live together in a two-bed semi-private room that has been redesignated as basic accommodations.
- Eligibility is based on income.
- Applications are handled through your long-term care home, and staff will help you complete the paperwork.
- If you already receive a rate reduction, you must reapply each year.
- The current term ends June 30, 2025, and the next term begins July 1, 2025.
A care coordinator or the long-term care home can help assess eligibility and guide you through the process.
Additional Resources
If you have any questions about navigating elder care options you can contact info@elderado.ca.
