Source: The Care Guide

Long-Term Care Residences, often referred to as Intermediate Care or Extended Care Homes, provide a higher level of care and supervision than Assisted Living Residences. Geared to persons who require ongoing 24-hour supervision, personal nursing care and/or treatment by skilled nursing staff, various levels of care are defined to differentiate between the degree of dependency on supervision and services required. Costs to residents are market driven and, in some cases, may be subsidized by government programs.

Licensed long-term care facilities provide care and supervision for persons who are unable to live on their own. Many of these facilities are for elderly people who cannot live on their own. However, there are also facilities which provide short or long term care to younger adults with either physical or developmental disabilities, substance abuse problems, or with a mental health illness.

A residential care facility provides care and supervision for 7 or more persons.While most care facilities are large, and may have over 100 residents, there are also facilities which are smaller and provide care to a much smaller number of people. Both large and small facilities work hard to provide pleasant and inviting atmospheres. Please remember there is no “perfect” size for a facility or home.

In some residential facilities, residents stay for only a short time, and then return to their previous home in the community. In others, this is a person’s home for many years.

Care facilities have policies and procedures regarding admission and pre-admission visits. Check with your worker or long-term care case manager (if you have one), and the facility or home before arranging a visit. You may be able to refer yourself to some facilities and homes, whereas visits and admissions to others are only by referral by the Ministry or Health Authority that funds or co-funds the facility.

If possible, it is best to visit each facility that you are considering. In some communities there may be several facilities or homes which can provide the care you need. However, there are also communities that may have only one suitable facility or home. When visiting a facility or home you may want to visit more than once so you can see what kinds of routines or special activities are taking place at different times of the day. Phone ahead and make an appointment to make sure someone will be available to show you around when you visit. You may want to take a trusted friend or relative along. You may be required to visit together with your worker.

As well, many facilities have an information brochure or package that provides an overview of their philosophy and services and should be happy to send you a copy upon request.

The Care Guide Includes Intermediate Care Residences, Extended Care Residences and Complex Care Residences in our Long Term Care Section.