Senior Care Options
Senior Care Options in Canada
Choosing the right care for a loved one can feel overwhelming. With so many options and costs to consider, families often don’t know where to begin. Our nurse-led team has created this guide to help you compare senior care options in Canada and make an informed, confident choice.
Find Care
Contact us now for a free assessment.
Helping You Choose the Right Care for Your Loved Ones
Seniors (people aged 65 or older) represent 16% of the Canadian population and are expected to grow by more than 68% over the next two decades. Seniors aged 85 and over have already become the fastest-growing segment of the Canadian population.
With an aging population, the complexity of the care needed for older Canadians is also increasing. It can be a daunting task for seniors and their families to choose the types of care best suited for their needs. The available choices are myriad. Each option had its own pros and cons. The cost, location and level of service can vary profoundly.
We have compiled this guide as a quick and easy reference for seniors and families to get started on their care selection journey.
Should you need help or advice, you can reach out to ConsidraCare’s care experts at 1-855-410-7971 and we will be glad to be of service.
Five factors to consider before choosing senior care options in Canada
Location
Is the care going to be provided at home or would my loved one need to move to a new residence?
Convenience
Is the location (if it is a care facility) convenient for my loved one and the family? Would it keep my loved one connected with the community and neighbourhood?
Cost
Are the costs transparent? How much would additional services cost? How much will the costs increase if the care needs of my loved one increase?
Quality of Care
Is the care tailored for my loved one’s needs? Would the care be delivered by the same caregiver(s) most of the time? What if my loved one doesn’t like a caregiver?
Indepdendence
Does the type of care restrict my loved one’s social life and daily routine? Would it limit family visits, the ability to keep pets, what to eat and when and where to go outside?
Adult Daycare
Adult daycare consists of a planned program of activities in a professional care setting designed for seniors/older adults who require care and support during the day. These centres enable seniors to socialize and interact with other individuals whilst still receiving necessary health support. This service offers family caregivers accountable respite from caregiving.
Who is it for?
Adult daycare centres are for people whose care needs can be managed at home, and only require little-medium levels of support in terms of health. Support is periodic and is usually provided from 4-16 hours a day.
How much does it cost?
Average cost per day: $24+
Cost is dependant on the adult day centre:
- Some private medical insurances cover a portion of costs when licensed medical professionals are involved in the care
- Dependent-care tax credits may be available to caregivers in some cases
Questions to ask when choosing the facility:
- How long has your daycare centre been in business? What credentials/licensing do you have?
- What conditions/diseases do you accommodate?
- What is the staff-to-senior ratio?
- Is your staff trained/experienced? What kind of training do they have?
- What are the days and hours of operation? and what are the costs? Are any covered by the government?
Advantages
- Respite for the family caregiver
- Reliable supervision of seniors considering both medical and psychological aspects
- Opportunity for loved ones to participate in consistent and continual social interaction with others of their age
Disadvantages
- Only available during daytime hours
- Expensive if attendance is constant
- Caregivers may not be well-trained and certified like personal support workers
- Dietary needs and restrictions are not always taken into account
- Support is not as extensive as that in long-term care homes, in-home care, etc.
Retirement Home: Independent Living Facilities
Retirement homes (independent living) are privately owned facilities designed to accommodate individuals in their senior years. 24-hour nursing care is not provided, as these types of facilities look to serve those wishing to maintain their lifestyle whilst also receiving minimal on-site support and care. Unlike Long-term care homes, they are not meant to serve individuals in need of prolonged medical attention.
Who is it for?
Care needs range from low to medium, with most seniors needing little to no assistance. Medical and physical support is available throughout the day upon request but is not part of an everyday routine.
How much does it cost?
Average cost per month: $3,000 – $6,000
Retirement homes can be funded publicly and or privately:
- The OAS and CPP pension funds are available to pay for a retirement home
- Work pension plans, investments, insurance and savings can all contribute to payment as well
Questions to ask when choosing the facility:
- What kind of training does your staff have? What is their availability?
- Are the suites furnished? Are there private/semi-private rooms?
- What services are included in a basic plan? What services are included as add-ons?
- What types of activities are available on-site?
- What do you do to keep residents safe?
- Does the staff assist in the reminding and or administration of medicine?
Advantages
- More manageable living space
- More opportunities are available for socialization with other seniors
- Housekeeping, home maintenance and meals are responsibilities of the facility
- Loved ones are still able to maintain a relatively independent lifestyle
Disadvantages
- Can be extremely costly
- Less flexibility as seniors are still expected to follow certain rules
- Lack of privacy as staff can enter suites to perform health and wellness checkups.
- Usually very low staff to seniors ratio impacting the quality of service
Retirement Homes: Assisted Living Facilities
Retirement homes (independent living) are privately owned facilities designed to accommodate individuals in their senior years. 24-hour nursing care is not provided, as these types of facilities look to serve those wishing to maintain their lifestyle whilst also receiving minimal on-site support and care. Unlike LTC homes, they are not meant to serve individuals in need of prolonged medical attention.
Who is it for?
Care needs range from low to medium, with most seniors needing little to no assistance. Medical and physical support is available throughout the day upon request but is not part of an everyday routine.
How much does it cost?
Average cost per month: $3,000 – $6,000
Retirement homes can be funded publicly and or privately:
- The OAS and CPP pension funds are available to pay for a retirement home
- Work pension plans, investments, insurance and savings can all contribute to payment as well
Questions to ask when choosing the facility:
- What kind of training does your staff have? What is their availability?
- Are the suites furnished? Are there private/semi-private rooms?
- What services are included in a basic plan? What services are included as add-ons?
- What types of activities are available on-site?
- What do you do to keep residents safe?
- Does the staff assist in the reminding and or administration of medicine?
Advantages
- More manageable living space
- More opportunities are available for socialization with other seniors
- Housekeeping, home maintenance and meals are responsibilities of the facility
- Loved ones are still able to maintain a relatively independent lifestyle
Disadvantages
- Can be extremely costly
- Less flexibility as seniors are still expected to follow certain rules
- Lack of privacy as staff can enter suites to perform health and wellness checkups.
- Usually very low staff to seniors ratio impacting the quality of service
Long Term Care Homes
Long-term care (LTC) homes, also known as Homes for the Aged or Nursing Homes, are homes publicly funded by the government to provide care for people facing significant health challenges. LTC homes provide 24-hour access to nursing care and supervision alongside a variety of therapies and other daily living activities.
Who is it for?
Care needs of Long-term Care residents are extremely high – they typically require around-the-clock assistance for daily activities as well as medical and or physical conditions.
How much does it cost?
Average cost per month: $1,800 – $2,800 (government-subsidized)
Care provided is free-of-charge, clients are responsible for paying accommodation costs:
- The government can provide up to $1,891 a month in subsidy
- Eligibility depends on the type of accommodations required and net income
Questions to ask when choosing the facility:
- What training is provided to the staff working in your facility?
- What is the resident-to-staff ratio?
- Is there a doctor available who keeps hours in your LTC home?
- What range of activities do you provide for seniors?
- What is the facility response when a resident is having difficulty adjusting?
- Is your facility secured for wandering residents?
Advantages
- 24/7 care provided by trained professionals
- Opportunity for consistent social interaction with seniors in the community
- No need for house/room care - LTC home staff will handle cleaning and tidiness
Disadvantages
- Less independence and flexibility due to rigid schedules
- Possibility of poor care due to low staff numbers, high turnover and low staff-to-senior ratio
- Seniors in group settings are vulnerable to infectious outbreaks
Hospices
Hospice care facilities provide a specialized form of healthcare for individuals and families who are living with a life-limiting illness that is at an advanced stage. The aim of these facilities is to provide comfort and dignity as well as the best quality of life for loved ones and their families. These facilities are specifically intended for individuals approaching the end of their life.
Who is it for?
Care needs of hospice residents are extremely high and cannot be met at home. Typically, around-the-clock care is required as well as constant monitoring and supervision.
How much does it cost?
Average cost per month: $0 – $450
There is usually no charge for hospice residents:
- Costs are partially covered by health plans, donations and community support
- If there is a fee, insurance and local organizations are often willing to provide funds to cover it
Questions to ask when choosing the facility:
- How many years has this hospice been in operations?
- Will the hospice provide care in times of emergency?
- Will my loved one be allowed to meet her family members?
- If the family caregiver gets really exhausted can we get respite care?
- What kind of bereavement services does the hospice offer?
Advantages
- Care is available 24/7 from an interdisciplinary team
- Unnecessary medical intervention and hospitalizations are avoided
- The cost of care is usually fully covered
Disadvantages
- Most hospices do not approve of any medical tests (especially those more expensive)
- Hospitalizations for short-term symptom management are not permitted
- Patients cannot actively take part in trial/experimental treatments
In-Home Care
In-home care is health and or supportive care provided by a caregiver in the home of a loved one. Typically, caregivers are personal support workers (PSWs) or nurses employed and managed by government or private agencies. They provide help with activities such as dressing, bathing, basic medicine administration, companionship, transportation and more.
Who is it for?
Care needs are mid-level and can be managed with the help of a professional caregiver at home. Care hours can range from 4-24+ hours depending on the client and their personal needs.
How much does it cost?
Average cost per hour: $25 – $45 (varies based on nature of care)
Home care can be publicly or privately funded:
- Government-funded through Local Health Integration Networks (LHIN)
- Privately funded through pension and other disposable income
Questions to ask when choosing the facility:
- How are the caregivers vetted in your agency?
- How does your agency train and monitor caregivers? Does the agency provide continuing education?
- Can I interview the caregiver going to my loved one?
- Can I get references, reviews of my caregivers from their past employers?
- When will service be provided? Is care available round-the-clock, if necessary?
Advantages
- One-to-one care is provided by the caregiver in the comfort of the loved one's home around a custom plan
- Good for seniors who want independence, don’t want to relocate and aren't comfortable with a rigid schedule
- Friends and family can visit anytime and are not restricted by visitation hours
Disadvantages
- Can become very expensive if care needs increase and require more than 3 - 4 hours a day
- Families have no control over the selection and type of caregivers
- Caregivers may change frequently
- Caregiver schedule can be impacted by traffic, weather and other situations
Live-in Care
Live-in caregivers provide full-day assistance with activities of daily living such as meal preparation, medication reminders, personal care, companionship, and much more. Unlike agencies where families must employ caregivers directly, ConsidraCare live-in caregivers are our employees. That means we take responsibility for their recruitment, training, matching, and scheduling. We also provide backup coverage if a caregiver becomes sick or needs time off, so families are never left without support.
Who is it for?
Live-in care is best for seniors who want to stay in the comfort of their own homes while receiving ongoing daily support. It is suitable for both short-term respite (a few weeks to give family caregivers a break) and long-term continuous care for seniors with complex or evolving needs.
How much does it cost?
Average cost per month: $ 4,800 (direct hire, self-managed) – $9,900 (agencies, professionally managed)
Live-in care is privately funded, but it can be more cost-effective than assisted living or long-term care facilities, especially for seniors who need consistent one-to-one support. Some insurance plans may also cover a portion of the cost.
Questions to ask when choosing the facility:
- Are live-in caregivers employees of the agency or the family?
- How are caregivers vetted, trained, and matched?
- What backup arrangements are made if the caregiver is unavailable?
- Does the provider use nurse oversight to create and manage care plans?
- How does the provider keep families informed about daily care delivery?
Advantages
- Individualized, one-to-one care within the home
- Consistent caregiver support with professional oversight
- Cost-effective compared to assisted living for seniors needing ongoing care
- Peace of mind for families with backup coverage always arranged
Disadvantages
- Seniors must adjust to a caregiver living in their home
- A separate, private room is required for the caregiver
- Higher cost than hourly care if only minimal support is needed
Let’s Help Your Loved One Feel Connected Again
No obligation. Just real care, real connection.
