In Ontario, the Local Health Integration Networks are the gatekeepers of long-term care http://www.lhins.on.ca/.  In order to be placed in a long-term care home an individual must meet certain eligibility criteria as defined by regulation and assessed by the LHINs.

To start this process:

Call your Local Health Integration Networks

Your local LHIN will help you every step of the way. LHIN staff will:

• determine your eligibility
• tell you about homes in your area
• tell you about costs
• help you apply

To contact your local LHIN:

• enter your postal code online
• call 613-310-2222

Apply for care

Once your LHIN has determined that you are eligible, you can apply to a maximum of 5 homes. Your local LHIN will coordinate your application for you.

To apply, contact your local LHIN

Waiting for an offer

If your application is accepted by the home(s), you may have to wait until a bed becomes available. The time you wait depends on the type of bed you’ve requested; whether the bed you’ve requested is in a private, semi-private or basic room

LHIN staff will contact you when a bed becomes available. You have 24 hours to accept or reject the offer.

If you accept the offer, you have up to five days to move in. If you refuse the offer, your application to all chosen homes will be cancelled. In this case, you cannot re-apply for 12 weeks after the day you were removed from the waiting list, unless there is a significant change in your condition or circumstances.

Costs

All personal and nursing care provided by long-term care homes in Ontario are funded by the government. You must pay for accommodation charges such as room and board. If you don't have enough income to pay for the basic room, you may be eligible for a subsidy through the Long-Term Care Home Rate Reduction Program.

Who qualifies

Whether or not you qualify for financial help depends on:

• the type of accommodation you choose (only basic is covered – not private or semi-private)
• your net income