Long-Term Care residences are where Ontario adults can live and receive 24-hour nursing, personal care and help with their daily activities. You might occasionally hear these homes referred to by names used in the past: nursing homes, municipal homes for the aged, or charitable homes. In order to qualify for residency in a Long-Term Care home, you must have significant healthcare needs. There is a great demand for accommodation in Long-Term Care, and there can be significant waiting lists. Operation of all Long-Term Care homes in Ontario falls under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care regulates and inspects each home. There is a Residents Bill of Rights that each home must adhere to, and all homes have Resident and Family Councils as a means for communication and feedback.

Residency in Long-Term Care homes is facilitated through the Home and Community Care Support Services, (Previously called Health Integration Networks (LHINs) in Ontario. Home and Community Care Support Services are the health authorities responsible for regional administration of public healthcare services. There are 14 Home and Community Care Support Services organizations in Ontario with a focused mandate to deliver local health care services such as home and community care and long-term care home placement.

Residency in a Long-Term Care home is funded by the Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care, with a co-payment by the resident. Additional subsidies are available, dependent on financial circumstances.

In addition to permanent residency, there are some short term stay spaces available in some situations. Bennett Centre does not offer this option but there are other Long-Term Care homes in Halton that do. The maximum amount of time a person can stay is 90 days per year. The short stay can provide respite for caregivers and/or supportive services often following a stay in a hospital.

The rates for residency in a Long-Term Care home are set by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care annually. The system for determining cost is the same across the province. The government funds a portion of the fee and the resident contributes a co-payment. The only variations in cost are based upon the type of accommodation you choose (basic, semi-private or private) and whether your home of choice meets all current government design guidelines (classified as “A”) or is an older home which does not meet every guideline (classified as “B”, “C”, “Upgraded D” or “D”)

The current rates can be viewed on the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care website by clicking here.

Residents of LTC homes who would like to apply for a reduction in the amount of their basic accommodation fees, can apply using the ‘Application for Reduction in Long-Term Care Home Basic Accommodation-Resident With a Notice of Assessment (NOA)’ form, found here.

The first step is to get in touch with a Care Coordinator by calling 310-2222 (no area code required) They will advise you about your options and support you as you make this important decision – which includes completing an assessment to help determine eligibility, guiding you through the application process and providing other valuable information. Visit the Long-Term Care page to learn more.

Please note that each Long-Term Care Home has no control over their waiting list. All Long-Term Care Home’s wait lists are managed by the placement Care Coordinators at Home and Community Care Support Services. They triage people on the wait list based on the greatest need. Please contact your Care Coordinator, if you have already started the process or contact Home and Community Care, by calling 310-2222 (no area code required) and they will be able to connect you with a Care Coordinator who can advise you of our homes waiting list.

Please contact our Ward Clerk to book a tour at 905-873-0115 x 8512