Long-term care for seniors in Ontario can be expensive, costing on average anywhere between $2,000 to $3,000 a month. The good news is that many resources are available in Ontario specifically with the intention of keeping seniors comfortable, cared for, and safe.
This guide provides a variety of resources and information on senior care in Ontario.
What Is Long-Term Care For Seniors?
Long-term care is a place where seniors can live and receive care 24-hours a day with regular activities such as cooking. Moreover, seniors can also receive nursing care at most long-term care facilities.
Seniors who have more autonomy over their body and don’t require as much care can opt for retirement homes or supportive/assisted living housing.
Learn more: How To Start Preparing For Retirement Success
Does Ontario Offer Financial Aid For Seniors In Need Of Long-Term Care?
Ontario has a Long-Term Care Rate Reduction Program. This program helps low-income seniors pay for long-term accommodations at a reduced cost. Long-term care home residents pay a co-payment fee towards the cost of accommodation and meals. Through the Long-Term Care Rate Reduction Program, low-income residents who are unable to afford the basic co-payment fee may be eligible for financial assistance.
Other Housing Programs For Seniors: Long-Term Care And Assisted Living
Housing is a huge expense for seniors, particularly those with low incomes. It can be extremely difficult to find affordable housing in Ontario, especially if you need long-term care or assisted living accommodations.
Fortunately, there are government and city programs available to help seniors find affordable housing. You can find these programs by using 211.ca or by searching the Ontario.ca database. Here are a few resources available:
Willowdale Manor
Willowdale Manor provides supportive housing to seniors in North York. The centre offers supportive services to residents of the building who are 59 years old and above and meet program eligibility criteria. Supporting services include personal care, homemaking, meal preparations, medication reminders, security checks, and laundry wellness.
Home and Community Care Support Services
This program is focused on managing and funding local and regional healthcare systems to ensure that Ontario seniors get the support they need efficiently. Home and Community Care Support Services connects individuals to local healthcare resources and coordinates support services at home. In cases where seniors are unable to live safely at home, the program will help find alternative living arrangements, such as long-term care homes, supportive residential options, or respite care.
Adult Lifestyle Communities
Adults aged 55 years and older who are still physically healthy may choose to live in an adult lifestyle community with other similar-aged individuals. These residential communities are designed to provide amenities that active adults prefer, including age-specific social, health and fitness, and recreational activities. Adult lifestyle communities are available throughout Ontario and serve residents in their local communities.
Life Lease Housing
Condominiums may offer lower-priced housing options for seniors, but life leases may offer an even more affordable alternative to condos. Life lease housing is typically developed and run by nonprofit organizations and involves buyers purchasing an interest in a property, giving them the right to occupy a unit for an extended period of time. In addition to being more affordable, life lease housing also offers access to social and recreational programs, home care and meals, and fewer maintenance responsibilities.
Can I Get Senior Care At Home?
Yes, you can choose to stay home and receive care through various home care services. In Ontario, the government offers a Home and Community Care program. If you qualify, the government will pay for your home care services. In some cases, you may qualify for a co-payment program. Types of care you may be eligible for include homemaking, personal day-to-day activities, end-of-life care, nursing care and more.
Can You Finance Long Term Care For Seniors In Ontario?
Yes, you can use a loan to finance your stay at a long-term care facility or other senior care services such as nursing care, home care services, and assisted living accommodations.
- Reverse Mortgages. If you’re at least 55 years old and are a homeowner, you may qualify for a reverse mortgage. This type of loan lets you borrow up to 55% of your home’s value. No repayments are required until you sell, move out, or pass away.
- Home Equity Line of credit – If you own a home and have at least 20% equity built up, you may be eligible for a home equity line of credit. This loan allows you to borrow up to 80% of your home’s value, and may be easier to qualify for since you’re using your home as collateral.
Learn more: Can You Use Your Home Equity To Pay For Long-Term Senior Care?
Programs To Help You Finance And Make Your Home Accessible
Seniors with mobility issues can update their homes to make it easier and safer to move around. This can allow them to have greater autonomy while being able to live at home. Updates like support handrails, wheelchair ramps, and walk-in bathtubs are just a few of the modifications that may be required. However, such renovations are expensive, particularly for seniors on a fixed income.
Programs are available in Ontario that are designed to remove the financial barrier to making necessary home modifications, some of which can be found on 211.ca:
- March of Dimes Canada: Home & Vehicle Modification Program. This program provides funding to cover the cost of basic home and vehicle renovations to eligible Ontario residents with prolonged impairments and disabilities with mobility restrictions. The funds can be used to make specific updates to homes to allow residents to continue living at home and avoid unemployment. Applicants must live in Ontario, meet financial requirements, and have a qualifying impairment.
- Ontario Renovates Program. This program provides financial assistance to low-income seniors and those with disabilities. Funding may be used to offset the cost of making necessary updates to homes to allow for independent living. Low-income homeowners can get up to $20,000 to make accessibility modifications. This amount is comprised of up to $15,000 as a 10-year forgivable loan and $5,000 as a grant to make accessibility modifications.
Learn more: How To Finance Your Home Renovations For Accessibility
Housing Tax Credits For Seniors
Housing can be the single biggest cost for seniors. Finding ways to cut down on this expense can help open up your budget and put towards other needs like home care services.
Tax credits can help reduce your taxable income and lower the amount of taxes you pay, while credits can put money back in your pocket. Let’s take a look at some housing tax credits and rebates that are available to seniors in Ontario.
- Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant (OSHPTG). The OSHPTG is an annual payment made to low-income senior homeowners in Ontario who pay property taxes. You must apply for this grant every year when you file your income tax and benefit return.
- Provincial Land Tax Deferral Program for Low-Income Seniors and Low-Income Persons with Disabilities. This tax deferral program allows low-income seniors and those with disabilities to defer part or all of their property taxes and education taxes.
- Rent-Geared-to-Income Housing (RGI). This subsidized housing program is available in the City of Toronto and is designed to make rent more affordable. It allows renters to pay approximately 30% of their income on rent.
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC). The OEPTC helps low-income residents of Ontario offset the cost of sales taxes on energy and property taxes. The annual entitlement is issued monthly as part of the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) payment.
- GST/HST New Housing Rebate. This rebate program is available to Ontario homebuyers who purchase a newly constructed home from a builder. The Ontario HST rebate is assigned to the vendor at closing, who then uses the rebate to lower the purchase price of the home, making homebuying more affordable.
Learn more: Tax Benefits and Credits For Seniors
Income Support For Seniors
Low-income seniors in Ontario can receive income support and financial assistance from various government programs:
| Program | Program Description | Link |
| Old Age Security (OAS) | -OAS is a taxable monthly payment from the federal government -Recipients must be 65 years and older and Canadian citizens or permanent residents | Learn More |
| Canada Pension Plan (CPP) | -CPP is a taxable pension benefit paid monthly to retired Canadian -CPP is available to those who are at least 60 years old and have contributed at least once to their CPP | Learn More |
| Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) | -GIS is a non-taxable credit paid monthly to low-income OAS recipients -Seniors must be at least 65 years old and meet income thresholds to receive this benefit | Learn More |
| Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) | -OSDCP provides free routine dental care to eligible seniors -Seniors must be at least 65 years old and meet income thresholds to receive this benefit | Learn More |
| Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) | -CDCP provides financial help to cover dental costs -Seniors must meet income requirements and not have a dental insurance plan to qualify | Learn More |
Special Programs For Senior Veterans In Ontario
Veterans in Ontario may be eligible for various programs meant to provide financial, housing, and healthcare support.
- Soldiers’ Aid Commission. If you’re a veteran in Ontario and are in financial need, you may be eligible for assistance through the Soldiers’ Aid Commission.
- Veterans House Canada. If you’re a homeless veteran or are at risk of homelessness, you may be eligible for shelter at the Veterans House Canada in Ottawa.
- Veterans Independence Program. If you need help paying for housekeeping, personal care, and meal preparation, you may qualify for annual tax-free funding from the Veterans Independence Program.
- Long-Term Care. If you’re a veteran in need of 24-hour care on a short-term or long-term basis, you may be able to find it at a provincially-licensed facility in Ontario.
- Veterans Emergency Fund. If you’re facing an unexpected financial emergency that’s threatening your health and safety, you may qualify for financial support from the Veterans Emergency Fund.
- Canadian Forces Income Support. If you’re struggling financially due to low or no income, you may be eligible for a tax-free, monthly benefit from the Canadian Forces Income Support program.
- Royal Canadian Legion Financial Assistance. If you and your family are in financial distress, you may qualify for grants for food, shelter, clothing, heating, medication, medical supplies, or home repairs from the Royal Canadian Legion Financial Assistance program.
Watch Out For Elder Abuse
Abuse can happen to anyone, but seniors may be at increased risk, particularly if they’re physically or mentally vulnerable. Seniors may be abused physically, psychologically, financially, or sexually, more often at the hands of people they know and trust.
Abuse ultimately involves controlling or limiting the freedoms of an elderly individual, leaving them hurt, abandoned, embarrassed, or financially drained. It’s important to understand the different types of abuse that seniors may suffer from and recognize the signs of abuse. While elder abuse can come in many forms, the following are two of the more common types:
- Financial elder abuse. This type of abuse happens when someone takes advantage of a senior’s finances. Elderly individuals may be deceived or threatened into handing over their money or bank account information to someone else against their will.
- Psychological elder abuse. This type of elder abuse involves actions that negatively impact a senior’s self-worth. Psychological abuse can include both verbal and non-verbal actions that intimidate, embarrass, or hurt a senior person.
Helpful Resources For Senior Abuse In Ontario
If you or someone you know is suffering some elder abuse, resources are available to help. A convenient way to find local resources in Ontario is to use www.211.ca, a virtual helpline that connects people to various social services and support programs, such as shelters, food banks, emotional support services, and so forth.
Here are a couple of examples of resources available to seniors in Ontario that you’ll find on 211.ca:
- Red Door Shelters. This non-profit charity provides emergency shelter, meals, crisis counselling, and emotional support to elderly women experiencing abuse. The centre services those in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and is located at 21 Carlaw Avenue, Toronto, ON M4M 2R6.
- Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario. This program raises awareness of elder abuse and provides support to seniors affected by abuse. Seniors can get advice on how to protect themselves and find resources to help them.
Final Thoughts
Low-income seniors may struggle financially on their own, but there are several services and programs available in Ontario that can help. Whether you need assistance with income, housing, personal and health care, or even protection against potential abuse, there are resources available to assist you.
Long-Term Senior Care Ontario FAQs
Does the Ontario government pay for long-term care?
What are the long-term care rates in Ontario in 2024?
- Long-stay basic fees: $2,036.40/month
- Long-stay semi-private fees: $2,455.24/month
- Long-stay private fees: $2,909.36/month
