50 Seniors’ Homes (Maisons des aînés) in Québec: Directory
Maisons des aînés (MDA, seniors’ homes) and maisons alternatives (MA, alternative homes) are a public long-term care housing model in Québec focused on quality of life. Seniors’ homes welcome older adults with a significant loss of autonomy. Alternative homes welcome adults with a physical disability, an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder. Many facilities combine both missions under the name maison des aînés et alternative. The concept aims to make every resident truly feel at home.
Unlike the traditional CHSLD model, maisons des aînés are made up of small households, where each resident has a private room with an adapted bathroom and shower. This human-scale design encourages closeness between care staff, residents and their families. Care and services are organized around each resident’s needs, preferences and routine, and those of their loved ones. As with a public CHSLD, admission goes through the regional CISSS or CIUSSS.
Each home offers a family space where loved ones can organize and join activities, along with an outdoor garden, balconies and leisure areas. A medication cabinet is located directly in each room, and anything institutional, such as linen carts or medical equipment, is kept out of sight to create a home-like atmosphere. The Bonjour Résidences directory lists 50 maisons des aînés et alternatives across Québec. You can find a seniors’ home near you and compare living environments, clienteles and nearby points of interest.
FAQ
What is a maison des aînés?
A maison des aînés (seniors’ home) is a public long-term care facility created by the Québec government as a more human alternative to the traditional CHSLD. It is made up of small households of private rooms, with an adapted bathroom, kitchen, family space and outdoor access. It welcomes seniors with a significant loss of autonomy.
What is the difference between a maison des aînés and a CHSLD?
Both a maison des aînés and a CHSLD provide long-term care for people with a significant loss of autonomy, and admission to both goes through the CISSS or CIUSSS. The difference lies in the living environment: a maison des aînés is organized into small households, with private rooms only, a home-like setting and a greater role for loved ones.
What is a maison alternative?
A maison alternative (alternative home) follows the same model as a maison des aînés but is designed for adults with a physical disability, an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder who need significant care and support. Many facilities combine a seniors’ home and an alternative home in the same building.
How do I get a place in a maison des aînés?
Admission requests go through the regional CISSS or CIUSSS, often via the local CLSC or a social worker. A professional assesses the person’s autonomy and needs, and the long-term care access mechanism then directs the request to the most suitable setting, whether a maison des aînés or a CHSLD.
How much does a maison des aînés cost?
In a maison des aînés, care and services are paid for by the government, as in a public CHSLD. Residents pay only a contribution for room and board, set each year by the RAMQ according to their financial situation. Since all rooms are private, the contribution corresponds to the private room rate.
FAQ
There are currently 50 Maison des aînés et alternative available or under construction in Quebec.
A Maison des aînés et alternative is a residence for seniors and those with physical or mental health challenges. These homes are designed to be responsive to the needs of residents and are integrated into their community. They have individual rooms with private bathrooms and common areas to relax and socialize. The architectural concept is similar for all Maisons des aînés in Quebec. It brings together households of 12 individual rooms with toilet, shower and common living areas.
Yes. However, an assessment of the animal is necessary. The welfare of other residents will also be factored into the decision.
No. The Maisons des aînés are not substitutes for CHSLDs. Rather, they provide a complementary public accommodation offer in Quebec.
Unfortunately, this option is not available in the settings of the Maisons des aînés et alternative. However, many private retirement homes offer this option at an affordable price.
The cost of services is set by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS). The rent that the resident will pay is assessed by the MSSS according to his financial situation. The MSSS also ensures that each resident has a monthly amount to cover personal expenses. This is the same mode of operation for CHSLDs.
A needs study is carried out in each administrative region. It may happen that it shows that housing for seniors is a priority. In such a case, the infrastructure will be used only to accommodate seniors.
At any time, loved ones can come and visit a resident. They are invited to share different times of the day, such as a meal or sleep near the resident, in his room. An extra bed is available in all rooms to allow the presence of another person at any time of the day or night. The continuous presence of a caregiver helps provide emotional support, collaborate with staff, and accompany the person during appointments outside the facility. Caregivers are considered full team members.
The Maison des aînés et alternative welcome seniors who need personalized support adapted to their needs, including health care, assistance and psychosocial well-being. They also offer a program of activities for residents and support for their loved ones. The Maisons des aînés et alternative are safe, adapted living spaces for those in need of extra support.
CHSLDs are long-term care centers for seniors who have lost a lot of autonomy and who, for the most part, have cognitive disorders. Residents need ongoing medical accompaniment and support to meet their needs. Most residents are seniors, but younger people with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders or physical disabilities can also be accommodated here.
Private senior residences (often called RPA in French) are housing units designed for elderly individuals who desire independence while receiving support for everyday activities. Residents are tenants and can benefit from cleaning services, meals and other basic needs, while living in a secure environment that promotes their well-being. These retirement homes are an ideal choice for seniors who wish to maintain their independence while benefiting from support adapted to their needs.
Maison des aînés et alternative are public facilities that are part of integrated health and social services network (CISSS) and integrated university health and social services network (CIUSSS). The admission process is the same as that in a CHSLD. Admission to a Maison des aînés requires a health professional assessment, specifically a social worker, to determine level of autonomy. If necessary, a request for accommodation is communicated to the accommodation access mechanism team. Remember that people who live in CHSLDs and Maison des aînés et alternative are experiencing a serious loss of autonomy. An independent or semi-autonomous person cannot live in a CHSLD or Maison des aînés.
As with all forms of accommodation, interested parties have the opportunity to make a choice. This choice will be taken into account in the decision made by the health network team that manages access to accommodation.
Similar to CHSLDs, the services offered include medical care and bio-psycho-social support. Recovery services, leisure activities, as well as accommodation services such as food, laundry and domestic assistance are also offered.