Ontario seniors care planning

Ontario Health atHome (formerly Local Health Integration Network access points) coordinates referrals for home care, supportive housing links, and transitions from hospital. Anyone can request an assessment for an Ontario resident. Wait times and approved hours depend on clinical need and regional capacity.

• Call 1-833-515-1234 or use the online referral form for a new assessment.
• Case managers coordinate personal support workers, nursing visits, and equipment where eligible.
• Quality or access concerns in publicly funded home care may also involve the Patient Ombudsman.

• Ontario Health atHome: 1-833-515-1234

  Call for home care assessments, service changes, and general Ontario Health atHome questions.

  Ontario Health atHome: 1-833-515-1234

  Link verified 2026-08-03

• Submit a home care referral (Ontario)

  Online referral form for Ontario Health atHome to start or update a home care assessment.

  Submit a home care referral (Ontario)

  Link verified 2026-08-03

Retirement homes are licensed by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) under the Retirement Homes Act, 2010. They are not the same as long-term care homes. Residents usually pay rent and care fees privately. RHRA sets care and safety standards and runs a public register of licensed homes.

Mandatory reporting of harm

Under the Retirement Homes Act, 2010, certain people must report harm or a risk of harm to an RHRA-licensed retirement home resident. Reports go to RHRA, not to MyEligible. RHRA publishes who must report, what counts as harm, and how to file online or by phone.

• Verify a home's licence on the RHRA public register before signing a contract.
• Mandatory reports cover licensed retirement homes only, not private homes or unlicensed settings.
• Report harm or risk of harm to RHRA at 1-855-275-7472 or through the mandatory report portal.

• RHRA: reporting harm

  Who must report, what counts as harm, and how reports are handled under the Retirement Homes Act, 2010.

  RHRA: reporting harm

  Link verified 2026-08-03

• RHRA mandatory report form

  Online portal for mandatory reports about licensed Ontario retirement homes.

  RHRA mandatory report form

  Link verified 2026-08-03

• RHRA: 1-855-275-7472

  Phone line for retirement home harm reports and licensing questions.

  RHRA: 1-855-275-7472

  Link verified 2026-08-03

Long-term care homes are licensed by the Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC) under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007. Admission uses a provincial waitlist and care coordinator assessment. Monthly copayments apply for room and board; nursing care is publicly funded.

• MLTC Action Line for urgent care and safety concerns in LTC homes: 1-866-434-0144.
• Complaints about care, meals, or rights in an LTC home follow MLTC's published complaint process.
• Retirement homes and LTC homes use different regulators. Confirm the setting before you call.

• MLTC Action Line: 1-866-434-0144

  Urgent concerns about care and safety in Ontario long-term care homes.

  MLTC Action Line: 1-866-434-0144

  Link verified 2026-08-03

• Ontario LTC complaint process

  Formal complaint steps for licensed long-term care homes under MLTC.

  Ontario LTC complaint process

  Link verified 2026-08-03

Powers of attorney for property and personal care let a trusted person manage finances and health decisions if capacity declines. Ontario's Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (OPGT) publishes plain-language information and may become involved when no adequate private guardian exists or when financial abuse is suspected.

• Execute POA documents while the person can understand and consent. MyEligible does not draft legal documents.
• OPGT information pages describe when the office may investigate financial exploitation.
• For binding legal advice, consult a lawyer or licensed paralegal in Ontario.

• Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (Ontario)

  Information on capacity, guardianship, and financial exploitation investigations.

  Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (Ontario)

  Link verified 2026-08-03

In Ontario, the phrase assisted living often describes retirement home packages or supportive housing with services. It does not replace MLTC long-term care when someone needs 24-hour nursing and secure dementia care. Compare care hours, staffing ratios, costs, and licensing before moving.

• Retirement homes: RHRA licence, mostly private pay, mandatory harm reporting to RHRA.
• Long-term care homes: MLTC licence, waitlist, Action Line 1-866-434-0144 for urgent concerns.
• Staying at home: Ontario Health atHome assessment for publicly funded hours.

• Ontario Health atHome
• Ontario Health atHome: making a referral
• Ontario long-term care home complaint process

  Legislation: Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 (Ontario)

• RHRA: reporting harm in retirement homes

  Legislation: Retirement Homes Act, 2010 (Ontario)

• RHRA mandatory report portal
• Patient Ombudsman (Ontario)
• Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (Ontario)
• Ontario Attorney General: powers of attorney information