Getting Informed

What’s the difference between Long Term Care and Retirement Homes?

Long Term Care Homes are licensed, monitored & regulated by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, and generally provide more extensive nursing and personal care and rehabilitation services than retirement homes. While residents of Long Term Care Homes are required to pay for a portion of their accommodation, the Government of Ontario provides additional funding to support the provision of care and services.

Retirement homes are less extensively regulated, and generally the provision of accommodation and services is funded by resident charges. Generally the care requirements in Retirement homes are significantly lower than Long Term Care Homes. Rates may vary extensively based upon the level of services provided and the quality and type of accommodation.

Is Accreditation Important?

We believe that it is important. OMNI Health Care’s Long Term Care Homes are all accredited by Accreditation Canada, an organization that provides national and international health care organizations with a peer review process to assess and improve the services. Through the accreditation program, we evaluate our performance against national standards of excellence that examine all aspects of health care, from patient safety and ethics, to staff training and partnering with the community. By doing so, we continually learn how to improve what we are doing so we can provide the best possible care and service to our residents.

The Admission Process

Making the decision to seek long-term care can be difficult, but there are people there to assist and ease the process. You may wish to start by contacting one of our homes directly to arrange a visit and to ask question about our services and the care we give.
In Ontario, admissions to Long Term Care are made only by referral from the local Community Care Access Centre (CCAC). Long Term Care Homes are not permitted to accept residents who are not referred by CCAC. CCAC is pleased to guide you through the available choices, and connect with the appropriate services and providers in your community. Whether you are just beginning to explore your needs or ready to finalize arrangements, your local CCAC can help you:

  • Identify your care needs
  • Explore the options best suited to your needs and personal situation
  • Determine your eligibility for government-funded services and settings
  • Gather information about providers (home, community support services and residential care) in your area
  • Find out how services are delivered
  • Arrange for delivery of government-funded home and community support services
  • Arrange and apply for admission to a long-term care home

The address and phone number for each CCAC can be obtained from your local telephone directory or by contacting the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care info line at 1-866-532-3161 or referring to the Ministry website at http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ltc/6_ccac.aspx.

Types of Accommodation and Rates

OMNI, in common with most Long Term Care Homes in Ontario has rooms available for private and semi-private accommodation in addition to the basic shared accommodation rooms. Private and semi-private rooms are considered preferred accommodation, for which there is an additional monthly charge regulated by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Rates for all types of long term care accommodation are established by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Current information is available from our homes or from the CCAC regarding subsidization of rates that may be available to residents in basic accommodation on the basis of income.