Long-term care is for people who need 24-hour nursing and personal care that cannot be provided at home. Medical care is covered by OHIP. You pay only for accommodation and meals. The process starts with a call to Ontario Health atHome.
Long-term care homes are for people whose care needs can no longer be safely met at home or in the community, even with maximum home care support. Typically this means someone who:
Needs help with most daily activities (bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, toileting)
Requires 24-hour nursing supervision or personal support
Has a medical condition (advanced dementia, stroke recovery, complex chronic illness) that requires ongoing professional care
Is an Ontario resident with a valid OHIP card
Is 18 years old or older
Eligibility is determined by an Ontario Health atHome care coordinator through a formal assessment, not by you or the long-term care home itself.
How to Apply
1Contact Ontario Health atHome. Call 310-2222 (no area code needed) or 1-833-515-1234. You can apply from home, from a hospital (if the person is currently an inpatient), or from another care setting.
2A care coordinator assesses the person's needs. This involves an in-person or phone assessment covering medical conditions, daily functioning, cognitive ability, safety risks, and the level of care currently being provided at home.
3If eligible, you choose up to 5 long-term care homes. The care coordinator provides a list of homes in your area, including wait times, room types, and special programs. You rank your choices in order of preference.
4You are placed on the waitlist. Your position depends on your priority level: crisis cases (in hospital or unsafe) are placed first, followed by regular applicants in order of application.
5When a spot opens, Ontario Health atHome contacts you. You have 24 hours to accept or decline the placement offer.
6Move in within 5 days. Accommodation charges start on your move-in date, regardless of when you physically arrive.
Costs
Long-term care home rates are set by the Ministry of Long-Term Care and are the same at every home in Ontario, whether for-profit or not-for-profit. You pay for accommodation and meals only. Medical care, nursing, and personal support services are covered by OHIP.
Basic room (shared, 3-4 beds)As of July 1, 2025~$2,085/mo
Semi-private room (2 beds)As of July 1, 2025~$2,540/mo
Private room (1 bed)As of July 1, 2025~$2,935/mo
Short-stay respite (up to 60 days/year)Temporary admission for caregiver relief~$40-42/day
Rates increase annually, capped at 2.5% per year. Regardless of room type, every resident receives the same level of nursing and personal care. The difference is only the room configuration and privacy.
Financial Help: The Rate Reduction Program
If you cannot afford the basic accommodation rate, the Long-Term Care Home Rate Reduction Program can reduce your monthly bill. The maximum subsidy is approximately $2,085 per month, which means some residents pay very little out of pocket.
Key details:
• The subsidy is only available for basic rooms (not semi-private or private)
• Eligibility is based on your income
• You apply through your long-term care home (staff will help you with the paperwork)
• You must reapply each year (the program year runs July 1 to June 30)
• Veterans may qualify for additional financial support through Veterans Affairs Canada
For questions about rate reductions, email LTC.RateReduction@ontario.ca or call the Long-Term Care Family Support and Action Line at 1-866-434-0144.
The Waitlist
Over 40,000 people are on the long-term care waitlist in Ontario. Wait times depend on three factors: your priority level, how many homes you listed, and what room type you will accept.
First available bed, any home, any roomMaximum flexibility1-3 months
Specific home, any room typeModerate flexibility6-12 months
Specific home, private roomLeast flexible12-24+ months
Priority levels:
•Priority 1 (Crisis): Person is in hospital with no safe discharge option, in an unsafe living situation, or their caregiver has died or become incapable. Placed first.
•Priority 2: Couples separating because one needs long-term care and a spousal reunification request has been made.
•Regular: Everyone else. Placed in order of application date.
If you accept a bed at a home that is not your first choice, you can stay on the waitlist for your preferred homes. When a spot opens at your first choice, you transfer. This is called a secondary placement and it is the fastest way to get into long-term care while still working toward your preferred home.
While You Wait
•Request more home care. Call your Ontario Health atHome care coordinator and say you are on the LTC waitlist and need more support in the meantime. They may increase PSW hours, add nursing visits, or provide medical equipment.
•Consider private home care. Private PSWs cost $25 to $40 per hour. Agencies offer evening, weekend, and overnight coverage. This fills the gap between publicly funded hours and what you actually need.
•Use adult day programs. Structured daytime programs ($50 to $100 per day) provide supervision, social activities, and meals. Many communities offer subsidized spots.
•Book short-stay respite beds. Some LTC homes and retirement homes offer respite stays of up to 60 days per year at about $40 to $42 per day. This gives the primary caregiver a break and gives the person a preview of residential care.
•Look into community paramedicine. Some areas offer in-home visits from paramedics for monitoring and basic medical support while you wait for LTC. Contact Ontario Health atHome to ask if this is available in your area.
Long-Term Care vs Retirement Homes
🏥 Long-Term Care Home
Regulated by the province. 24-hour nursing care. Standardized rates ($2,085 to $2,935/month). Subsidies available for basic rooms. For people with complex medical needs. Apply through Ontario Health atHome. Government waitlist.
🏠 Retirement Home
Privately operated. Lightly regulated. Prices set by the home ($3,000 to $8,000+/month). No government subsidy. For people who are mostly independent but want support with meals, housekeeping, and social activities. Apply directly to the home. No government waitlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose which long-term care home to live in? +
Yes, you can list up to 5 homes in order of preference. Crisis applicants can list more than 5. You will be offered a spot at whichever of your chosen homes has an opening first. The more homes and room types you are willing to accept, the shorter your wait.
What if I decline a placement offer? +
You can decline, but your priority on the waitlist may be affected. If you decline multiple offers, you may need to discuss your preferences with your care coordinator. You stay on the list for your other chosen homes.
Can a couple live together in a long-term care home? +
If both people qualify for long-term care, they can request to be placed in the same home. Spousal reunification is given priority on the waitlist. Some homes have shared rooms specifically for couples. If only one person needs long-term care, the other can visit but cannot live in the home unless they also qualify.
What is covered by OHIP in a long-term care home? +
OHIP covers all medical care, nursing services, personal support, physiotherapy, and most prescription drugs (through the Ontario Drug Benefit). You pay only for accommodation (room and board). Optional extras like phone service, cable TV, and personal items are additional costs.
Can I visit a long-term care home before applying? +
Yes, and you should. Contact homes directly to arrange a tour. Ask about their care philosophy, staffing levels, activity programs, food quality, and any specialty programs (dementia care, cultural or religious accommodations, etc.). Visiting in person gives you a much better sense of the home than online reviews.
What if I have a complaint about a long-term care home? +
Report concerns to the Long-Term Care Family Support and Action Line at 1-866-434-0144. The Ministry of Long-Term Care inspects all homes and investigates complaints. You can also contact the Patient Ombudsman (patientombudsman.ca) for an independent review. Residents have a Residents' Bill of Rights under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021, and homes are legally required to respect it.
