Retirement Homes are private pay residences that provide care and housing to older adults and meet the need for those who are not frail enough for a long term care home, but are nevertheless vulnerable and in need of protection. Because of our concern for the safety, security and well being of our sometimes vulnerable elders, we insist on standards that will provide for Residents’ rights, set care standards and staff training requirements and offer protections against abuse and neglect. The regulations ensure consistent standards are met.
Regulation across the country differs from Province to Province.
Unlike other seniors housing options, retirement homes offer significant flexibility. While you may have to wait for long period of time for a nursing home “bed”, because they are government funded, supply is limited and access is only for the most frail, most retirement homes can offer you immediate occupancy.
In this way, they serve the continuum of care - from living in your own home, to lighter supports that meet the social, nutritional and housekeeping needs of older adults (also referred to as hospitality services). These homes, that provide ONLY independent supportive living, that is “hospitality services”, are not required to be regulated.
But many retirement homes also offer assistance with the activities of daily living, including memory care - the kind of supports needed to allow you to age in place, without having to move. If they provide personal care supports to older adults they are regulated.