Senior Housing options in Canada are as complex as they are in most developed countries—there are a range of labels, funding and services, according to Vanessa O. Rorai, MSW student at Wayne State University and an intern at the Thome Rivertown Neighborhood in Detroit, MI. Vanessa recently conducted a review of senior housing options in Ontario.

Adult Lifestyle Communities are senior apartments and are found through real estate agents. Non-profit housing is referred to as “rent-geared-to-income” (RGI) with income eligibility requirements and ten year waiting lists. This is strictly housing, with no services or programs.

Ontario also has housing co-ops. The Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada formed an Aging in Place Committee in 2010. As a result they are increasingly aware of older members’ needs and have developed planning tools to support aging co-op members.

Retirement Homes are private businesses and vary considerably in services and amenities offered. Supportive housing provides minimal to moderate levels of care while long-term care homes provide 24 hour nursing and personal care. The latter are funded and regulated at the provincial government level.

The gatekeeper for consumers is the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC), a government-funded organization that connects individuals to care services based on their needs. CCAC performs an essential service: assessments eligibility determinations and availability.

To learn more about senior housing options in Canada, download the full report: Senior Housing Options in Canada