Retirement home vs long-term care in Ontario
In Ontario, a retirement home and a long-term care home (often called a nursing home) are very different. One is a private rental with optional care; the other is government-funded 24-hour nursing care that you apply for through the province.
By ParentCare Ontario Editorial, published by Otonabee Marketing. Updated October 28, 2026. General information, not medical, legal or financial advice.
| Retirement home | Long-term care home | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Seniors who are mostly independent and want meals, company and some help | People who need 24-hour nursing care and supervision |
| Care | Choose and pay for services such as medication help, bathing, assisted living or memory care | Nursing and personal care around the clock, included |
| How you get in | Apply directly to the home; move in when a suite is free | Apply through Ontario Health atHome (310-2222); wait for a bed in one of up to 5 homes |
| Cost | Private: rent plus any care you buy, set by each home | Set by the province: $2,129.17 to $3,041.97 a month; care is paid by the government |
| Help paying | No government subsidy; some tax credits apply | Rate reduction for low-income residents in basic rooms |
| Rules and rights | Retirement Homes Act and tenancy law; licensed by the RHRA | Fixing Long-Term Care Act; inspected by the Ministry of Long-Term Care |
| Leaving | Give at least 30 days' written notice | Discharge rules set by law |
A third option is care at home. Compare all three in home care, retirement home or long-term care?
Which one fits
- A retirement home often suits a parent who is lonely, not eating well or struggling to manage a house, but can still get around and make most decisions.
- Long-term care is for a parent who needs help with most daily activities, needs nursing care several times a day, or isn't safe without supervision, including at night.
- Not sure? A care coordinator at Ontario Health atHome can assess your parent at no cost and say whether they're eligible for long-term care.
Moving from a retirement home to long-term care
Many people move into a retirement home first and need long-term care later. Signs it may be time:
- Care costs keep rising as more services are added each month.
- The home says it can no longer meet your parent's needs.
- Your parent needs two people to help them move, or care through the night.
- Dementia has progressed beyond what the home's memory care can safely manage.
How to make the move
- Apply early. Your parent can apply for long-term care while living in a retirement home. Call Ontario Health atHome at 310-2222. Waits can be long, so applying before care needs peak gives you more choice.
- Keep the retirement home informed. Ask what extra care it can offer while you wait, and what it costs.
- Plan the notice. When a long-term care bed is offered, you have 24 hours to accept and 5 days to move in. A retirement home tenancy needs at least 30 days' written notice, so expect to pay both for a few weeks.
- Budget for the change. Long-term care is often cheaper than a retirement home with heavy care, because the province pays for the care.
Find homes
- Retirement homes near you, with care and amenity filters
- Long-term care homes near you, with waitlists
Facts checked October 28, 2026. Program details come from the official sources below and are rechecked every January and July. Confirm with the program before you rely on them.