Care Homes For Seniors
Long Term Care Homes: On July 1, 2010, the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 came into effect. It reinforces that long-term care (LTC) homes are where residents live, and must be places where they feel safe, secure and comfortable, and receive care that meets their needs – including physical, psychological, social, spiritual and cultural needs. (Ministry of Health and Long Term Care website.)
There are over 630 Long Term Care Homes in Ontario that receive funding from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to provide care to seniors. If someone has a minor complaint (non-police matter) regarding one of these facilities (e.g. cold meals, the facility is not clean enough, inappropriate services), the complainant can contact Ministry of Health Complaints Lines. Call the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s toll-free Long-Term Care ACTION Line at 1-866-434-0144.
Retirement Homes: There are an estimated 750 privately owned and operated retirement homes in Ontario, the majority of which do not have the same regulations or inspection processes as the Government regulated Long Term Care Homes.
Approximately 323 of these retirement homes are members of the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA). ORCA is a non-governmental agency that monitors member homes for compliance with their Association regulations.
If someone has a minor complaint (non-police matter) regarding one of these facilities, (e.g. a cold meal, unclean facility or inappropriate services), the complainant can contact ORCA at the Complaints Response and Information Service (CRIS) 1-800-361-7254.
Remember that you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) to give informational anonymously about criminal activity.
For more information go to:
The Hamilton Police Service. This link shows recent crimes against Seniors in Hamilton and has links to other information pertaining to seniors.
The O.P.P Senior’s Assistance Team. This site gives a great deal of information of importance to seniors.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. This site gives all the information from the government about Long Term Care Homes and Health Care in Ontario.