What is Long-Term Care
What is long-term care?
In a long-term care (LTC) home, sometimes called a nursing home, care is provided for people with complex needs who are unable to remain at home or in supportive living. LTC settings provide accommodation, 24-hour personal support with daily activities such as eating or bathing, and on-site health care services. These services help people live as independently and safely as possible when they can no longer perform everyday activities on their own.
According to the National Institute on Aging, people often need long-term care when they have a serious, ongoing health condition or disability. The need for long-term care can arise suddenly, such as after a heart attack or stroke. Most often, however, it develops gradually, as people get older and frailer or as an illness or disability gets worse.
Long-term care is funded through the Canada health transfer from the federal government between provinces and territories. Provinces and territories then allocate funding to homes.
Retirement homes vs. Long-term care homes
A retirement home, also called a retirement residence or senior home, is a privately paid residence where a community of seniors live. In these homes residents can choose to enjoy a fully independent lifestyle or have some care and personalized services. Retirement homes are best suited for individuals who want to maintain an independent lifestyle, but may need a bit more support with their daily living activities.
Unlike long-term care homes, retirement homes don’t usually provide 24-hour nursing care. However, they may provide services such as meals, assistance with bathing, administering medicine, or making available the services of a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Anyone can choose to live in a retirement home if the home is able to support their medical needs. Residents in long-term care homes pay accommodation rates that are regulated by the province while care is funded by the provincial government. All care and accommodation in retirement homes is paid by the resident with no funding from provincial or federal governments.
Complex Care Needs
In 2018/2019, 62% of residents were living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia across Canada. Long-term care homes have always cared for residents with a range of support needs, however there has been a sharp increase in the number of residents with more complex health needs.
