Long-Term Care
Are you or a loved one afflicted with a disease or condition that requires round-the-clock care and supervision? Have you exhausted all other options and need relief from the burden of managing this situation? If so, it might be time to consider a Long-Term Care facility.
What is Long-Term Care?
Long-Term Care facilities are residence facilities designed to accommodate the needs of individuals whose physical or mental conditions require 24-hour assistance by qualified professionals. These facilities, also known as nursing homes, are licensed, authorized, and funded by the Canadian government.
Each facility is configured to provide private, semi-private, or ward room accommodation based on a resident’s financial resources and care needs.
How will Long-Term Care benefit me?
A Long-Term Care facility provides following services to its residents:
Lifestyle care
- Assistance with activities of daily living (ADL), such as eating, bathing, personal hygiene, toilet usage and hygiene, and dressing and undressing
- Assistance with functional mobility: moving from one area to another, including transitional movements like getting in and out of bed, chairs, or vehicles, and navigating stairs or obstacles
- Daily housekeeping and laundering services, which includes bedding and clothing
- Facility maintenance and upkeep
- Companionship and social interaction with friendly, trained staff and with other residents
- Recreational activities and facilities, group outings, and special events
Healthcare
- 24/7 nursing and critical care trained to treat and care for a variety of conditions, including dementia, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses
- Detailed care plans tailored to meet each Long-Term Care resident’s individual needs
- Prescription management and medication administration
- A full complement of fully trained and licensed medical staff
- Access to emergency services and equipment and training in their use and administration
- Rich educational and training resources in the care and treatment of a range of common illnesses and conditions
Nutrition
- GTA Senior Care Solutions can help you find facilities with registered dietitians on-site to assess and monitor your loved one's dietary requirements
- We help you coordinate personal nutrition plans with your chosen care facility
- Assistance in developing specialized diets for unique dietary needs or conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, food allergies, and others
- Find facilities with full-service kitchens that prepare all meal and snacks on-site using fresh ingredients
- We recommend homes with a rotating menu of meals that offer residents a selection of delicious and nutritious options, in addition to the specialized and customized individual meals mentioned above
How much will Long-Term Care cost?
The Ministry of Health shoulders the costs of lifestyle care, health-care, and nutrition, while a Long-Term Care resident is still responsible for paying accommodation costs.
Long-Term Care rates vary depending on duration of stay and type of accommodation desired:
- Ward room accommodation
- Semi-private accommodation
- Private room
Prices are set by the government and subject to annual reviews.
How do I get Long-Term Care?
You can apply for admission to a Long-Term Care facility through your local LHIN (Local Health Integration Network). This begins a multi-part assessment by a Care Coordinator, who will determine whether you qualify for admission to the program and what Long-Term Care options are available to you.
If approved, you will be able to apply to up to five preferred Long-Term Care options. If a facility is full, you will be put on a waiting list. You will have up to 24 hours to confirm your placement when a spot opens up in a facility on your desired list.
The government will be able to provide financial assistance if you can’t afford a private room, although it does not provide assistance for those desiring private or semi-private accommodations.
Call GTA Senior Care Solutions to learn more about your long-term care options and what would work best for you.