What are my options?
If I wish, how can I remain in my own home?
If I move out of my home, what housing is available to me?
Our lives are filled with uncertainty! We all have questions about what will happen to us in the future. Will I pass that critical exam? Will I get married? Will I have children? Will I travel around the world? What will my life be like?
As we grow older we gain life perspective and those questions, for the most part, are answered. For most of us, sailing the figurative sea of life, our sails are set and our course is usually well charted. There remains however at least one question unanswered. That is “where will I live for the rest of my life”
You will remember the grasshopper in the Aesop fable which fiddled all summer and when winter came it had no place to stay. The grasshopper didn’t consider the options or the consequences of not planning ahead.
“It is thrifty to prepare today for the wants of tomorrow”.
Aesop, The Ant and the Grasshopper
How can you plan ahead unless you understand your options? Anticipation requires advance planning.
In this paper we will not examine the issues surrounding staying in your own home or housing solutions offered by well meaning family and friends. That is a topic requiring its own commentary. I am assuming for the purpose of this paper that the reader is not remaining at home and is uncertain about their housing future.
Most people are confused about retirement living and “THE OLD AGE HOME”. This article is intended to go at least part way to demystifying the housing options available to those seniors who, for whatever reason, do not remain in their home.
RETIREMENT HOMES
We have advanced light years in the housing options available for seniors. I suspect that the growing spirit of independence in seniors coupled with a change in family values has fueled the need for alternate independent living accommodation. This generation is an important segment of our population and are generally better informed, healthier and wealthier than the generation immediately preceding them.
For those who are, for the most part, independent physically and financially and who do not feel that they can or should remain in their existing home or move in with relatives a retirement home offers one solution.
Retirement homes are far from the “warehouse for old people” which some might think they are. There is great competition for the seniors’ dollar and nowhere is it more apparent than in the retirement home industry. Recently, around 4:30 pm, I had occasion to pay a home visit with a client at a retirement home. I found the residents enjoying happy hour in the well appointed main lounge, being entertained by a choral duet and with white and red wine flowing freely! I must say, there was not a sad face in the room.
Outings to Casino Rama, Niagara on the lake, and theater productions are only some of the organized activities offered, at a cost, to the residents.
It is important to remember however that a retirement home is run by private for-profit enterprise. Think of it as an apartment, generally a rented single room, with many other shared facilities.
There are usually other amenities on-site such as an exercise area, television and or recreation rooms including therapy pools. Other services are generally available such as hairdressing, foot care etc. Most importantly the retirement home provides meals and healthcare services at an additional cost to the room rental.
As with any housing complex there are building and health codes imposed by Municipal or Provincial legislation which must be adhered to. There are however no health care standards imposed by government on the operators of a retirement home. A nonprofit association, the ONTARIO RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES ASSOCIATION (ORCA) http://www.orca-homes.com/ has been established by members of the retirement home community. It sets industry standards as agreed by the members of the Association who must comply if they wish to be a member and maintain their membership and accreditation. Membership in the organization is voluntary however.
It would be important to know if the retirement home in question is or was a member of the association.
The Ontario government applies the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006. to the rental portion of the retirement home by deeming it to be a “care home”. It follows therefore that there must be a written agreement setting out the cost of the services provided as well as a care home information package commonly called “CHIP”. This document sets out such things as fees for services and meals, complaints procedure, staffing levels and types of accommodation available.
Rent controls exist and there are requirements for notice of rent increase with a separate notices requirement for meals and other services provided. There is no limitation on the amount of increase except for rent. It is however not an environment of the “Wild West” for retirement homes since they must be competitive in the costs of services which they provide.
The resident can be evicted if there are breaches of the Residential Tenancies Act and on death the tenancy terminates 30 days thereafter. The resident can terminate the tenancy on at least 30 days notice and suspend the provision of meals and care services on at least 10 days notice.
It is possible in certain circumstances for the resident to find someone, a friend for instance, who would like to take over their accommodation (assignment) however the retirement home management has certain veto rights in this situation.
The Ontario government has a “complaints department” for retirement homes, Retirement Home Complaints Response and Information Service which is part of ORCA.
In the end however is extremely important for anyone who is considering retirement living to be sure to investigate a number of retirement homes before deciding to enter one. Most retirement homes will permit a trial stay so that the resident can sample the meals and the services available including the sociability of the residents.
Moving from one’s home ranks as one of the most traumatic events in a person’s life. It is right up there with a death, divorce, termination of employment and many others. Relocation is not something to be undertaken with out a lot of thought and pre-planning. Remember that it takes its toll emotionally and physically!
LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES (LTCF)
The first option for most, if it is possible, is to remain at home and be well cared for. For those who are less independent and need more personal and nursing care, a long-term care facility is the logical choice.
Unlike a retirement home, which deals directly with the prospective resident, it is not possible to simply select a long-term care facility. The procedure for admission is administered through the local Community Care Access Centers (“CCAC”). http://www.ccac-ont.ca/
Common to all long term care facilities is the provision of nursing and medical care, a furnished room as well as meals, recreational programs, and help with daily living needs. These needs are regularly reviewed at three month intervals to be sure that the care plan is kept current.
There are of course “add ons” available at a cost to the resident.
The long term care facility is subjected to a regular monitoring system and there is a “report card” available at the website. Http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/programiltc/26.
The Ontario Government provides funding for Long Term Care Facilities but there is a co-payment component which the resident is expected to pay towards the basic or preferred accommodation depending on type of accommodation chosen: Private room or semi private.
Supportive Housing
Municipal governments and other institutions occasionally own and operate supportive housing residences for people who are capable of independent living. Like retirement homes, the housing portion of supportive housing is covered by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006. Once again there will
Care services are arranged through the housing operator and services, costs, and the availability of government subsidies vary with each building. The care arrangements are usually detailed in a contract with the service provider
If the Ministry of Heath and Long term Care (MOHLTC) provides funding the Long Term Care Act applies and the housing facility is subject to monitoring.
In summary this offering may produce more questions than it purports to answer but if it did then it was well worth the effort..
“Knowledge is power.”
Sir Francis Bacon (1561 – 1626), Religious Meditations, Of Heresies, 1597
It is wise to ask “ALL OF THE QUESTIONS”. There are so many!
The first step in the process is to share your thoughts with your significant others if you have any, spouses, children and yes, even spouses of children. They must be made aware of your existing and future housing wishes. Remember they must be your wishes uninfluenced by anyone else!
Next be sure to speak to people who have gone through the process. You may know someone just like that. Or simply drop in to a retirement home to “take a look”. Stop and speak to the residents in a location where they will not feel compromised and ask how they like being there. While you are there get a copy of the contract and other paperwork the retirement home might ask you to sign. Be prepared for questions if you go back to take a second look. Remember, all of the sales promotions in the world can’t beat the opinions of the residents.
Do not forget outside sources that might have specific knowledge of your housing concerns. There are many knowledgeable people and institutions in your community who can assist getting you the answers to your questions. Some information is available for free or at little cost. Lawyers are beginning to specialize in this type of law practice known as Elder law. Accountants, financial planners, insurance professionals and others have begun to pay special attention to this demographic. All to the benefit of you, the consumer.
