Using Retirement Homes as Way Stations between Hospitals and Long-Term Care Homes: What You Need to Know

In order to ease pressure in acute care, some hospitals and other service providers have entered into agreements with retirement homes to provide accommodation and services to those awaiting placement in ALC at a reduced rate (which is usually equivalent to the ALC rate). In some cases, the hospital or service provider may subsidize the fee itself in order to free up beds; in others, the retirement home may agree to provide the same services for a lower amount in order to fill beds.

If you are being admitted to a retirement home to await placement, you need to ask the following questions: (a) is someone else is paying the rent or a portion of the rent on your behalf; (b) is there a fixed amount of time for which such payment is guaranteed; and (c) will payment continue until you are admitted in to a LTCH of your choice. In some cases, you will be considered a “subtenant”, as the hospital or service provider will actually be renting the room. It is recommended that you obtain legal advice to determine your rights in your individual situation.

Care Services Provided by Retirement Homes are not Paid by the Public Health Insurance Regime

If you decide to move into a retirement home pending admission to a LTCH, make sure you know what care services are available, whether the types of care services you need for your health needs are available and the costs of these care services. The landlord is legally required to provide you with a Care Home Information Package (CHIP) that details all the care services available and the costs, as well as other important information.

The tenant or someone on their behalf pays for care services in a retirement home. The tenancy agreement must set out how much you are paying for any care services as a separate amount from what you pay for rent. You can also purchase services from outside providers of your choice who come into the retirement home. You cannot claim the costs of these services from the Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP). However, if you qualify, your local CCAC may provide some services on top of those provided by the retirement home.

During the discharge process from hospital, if you are told that the care services will be paid in the retirement home, you should obtain additional information. For example, find out who is paying for the services. If you will not be held responsible for these fees, you should confirm this fact in writing. You should also verify whether you will have to pay for extra fees if your care needs increase and additional services are necessary. (You cannot be required to purchase extra services.) You should also get a written agreement that these care services will be provided for the entire time you are in the retirement home until your admission into a LTCH of your choice.

Remember that paying $1000 for a retirement home bed must include not only the bed/room but all food and services. In a LTCH, on the other hand, you are only paying for the bed.