FAQ

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 Long Term Care Homes Act (2007) 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.

On April 1, 2021, the health system planning and funding functions from the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) transferred into Ontario Health. LHINs will be operating under a new business name, Home and Community Care Support Services, to reflect a focused service delivery mandate.

• Home and Community Care Support Services organizations assess need and determine eligibility for admission, and prioritize and manage the admission process to long-term care homes.
• Home and Community Care Support Services organizations provide support and information to both applicants and their families prior to and during the admission process.

Bennett Centre falls under Home and Community Care Support Services Mississauga Halton, which you can access by phoning 905-855-9090 or clicking here. If you are in hospital, a social worker or discharge planner will assist with the application process.

Steps in the Application Process

1. Assessment of applicant’s health status and care needs
2. Identification of decision maker for the application
3. Consent to proceed with the application
4. Eligibility determination
5. Selection of home and accommodation type
6. Assignment on the Waiting List
7. Responding to an offer of a space in a chosen home.

The Home and Community Care Support Services Mississauga Halton website provides more details on the application process, as well as some helpful information. To access the website, click here.