Are you starting to search for a retirement home, but cannot find your way around the different choices? Between CHSLDs, Senior Retirement Homes and Independent Housing, there are a variety of types of retirement homes. And even among all of these choices, there are also two key networks: the public and the private sphere.
How should you determine which retirement home is best suited to your needs? To help you in your research, Bonjour Résidences explains the main distinctions between the types of residences in the public and private networks.
Going further: If you are just beginning your search, we invite you to consult our guide to Understanding the Terms RPA, RI, CHSLD, and MDA to help you navigate the network's jargon. To get an overview of the process, you can also discover Steps for Public and Private Long-Term Care Placement.
Differing Management Styles
First, the public and private networks differ on issues of management and funding.
In the public network, the retirement homes are administered by the Ministry of Health and Social Services. The government owns the buildings and its administration is centralized.
Private seniors homes, for their part, are managed by owners or real estate groups. Whether approved or not, all private residences for the elderly must obtain a certification of compliance from the Ministry of Health and Social Services in order to operate. These are reassessed every two years.
Housing for Seniors in Quebec’s Public Network
Regardless of the type of residence for the elderly, the Home Support Service (SAD) system for accessing accommodation is centralized. To access public care homes, a social worker must assess the person's situation (level of autonomy and state of health) and then apply for the appropriate type of accommodation. This will then be placed on the waiting list.
Here are the different types of public housing for seniors that exist:
Family-Friendly Housing
This type of housing is intended for the elderly with a slight loss of autonomy. Family-friendly resources aim to recreate the natural living environment, while providing care, amenities and safety devices to improve the quality of life of the elderly.
Intermediary Resources
Intermediate resources are establishments that accommodate people with an average loss of autonomy. These are private senior homes that have entered into a contract with the public services. These provide access to an environment adapted to the needs of the person and care is supervised by teams from a CIUSSS.
Read also: Because the way RIs operate is hybrid (private management, public care), it is completely normal to have questions about admission criteria. Consult our feature article to Everything You Need to Know About Intermediate Resources in Quebec: A Complete Guide.
Long-Term Care and Health Centres (CHSLDs)
A CHSLD welcomes seniors with a significant loss of autonomy, requiring more than 3 hours of care per day. The prices of public CHSLDs depend on the type of room and the person's income. They are set by the Quebec Health Insurance Regime (RAMQ).
Practical tools: Accessing the public network often involves delays. To better plan your transition, look at the Waiting list for a CHSLD (by region) and discover in detail the Accommodation Costs in CHSLDs based on the individual's financial situation.
Evolution of the public network: The government is currently modernizing its long-term care infrastructure. We invite you to read our article to All you need to know about Senior and alternative housing in Quebec to understand how the province is leveraging Maisons des aînés to Replace CHSLDs over time.
Retirement Homes for Seniors in Quebec
The private network has a wide range choice of residences across Quebec, and accommodation can be selected by the person or their loved ones according to their personal criteria.
The different types of retirement homes in the private network have the advantage of offering:
- Home support with tax credits
- Living spaces adapted to a variety of clienteles
- A wide choice of residences
- Less waiting for accommodation
- A certification of compliance with the standards of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (food, housing, safety, accessibility, etc.)
Private Retirement Homes for Seniors
Private Retirement Homesfor seniors are generally intended for retirees aged 65 and over. They offer different types of accommodation, amenities and care. In Quebec, there are nearly 1,600 Private Retirement Homes in the various regions of the province.
Most private seniors' residences accommodate people who are independent or with a slight loss of autonomy. However, depending on the level of care offered, they can keep the person longer if he or she experiences a loss of autonomy. Other residences are scalable and support seniors in their different stages of life.
Retirement homes may have apartments for retirees, rooms and different levels of care. All the residences have services and safety devices adapted to seniors’ needs. They include cleaning and catering in their services and offer a variety of activities to energize guests daily!
To find the most suitable type of seniors' residence or to apply for housing, consult our retirement home directory.
Option to discover: Choosing an environment that adapts to changing autonomy levels is an excellent long-term strategy. Read our article Progressive Care Senior Residences: Everything You Need to Know in Quebec and avoid future moves.
Long-Term Residential Care Facilities (CHSLDs)
Private CHSLDs are intended for people with a great loss of autonomy. With more than 3 hours of care per day. The costs of care and accommodation depend on the needs of the person, and of the center.
Private and Contracted CHSLD
Some private CHSLDs in Quebec have an agreement, which means that they benefit from a subsidy from the MSSS. They then apply the same criteria as public CHSLDs and the rates are set by the Quebec Health Insurance Regime.
Access to contracted private CHSLDs follows the same rules for the public network access system.
Private Non-Contracted CHSLDs
Non-contracted private CHSLDs are not bound by the pricing and selection criteria of the public network. Their owners do not get a subsidy and can admit seniors without going through a social worker.
However, this type of retirement home must meet MSSS health and safety standards. Checks can be carried out to verify the quality of care and services on site.
Find the Right Senior Residence for You Today
Would you like to find a living environment that perfectly matches your needs or those of a loved one? Bonjour Résidences provides a comprehensive, free directory featuring all RPAs, RIs, CHSLDs, and retirement apartments across Quebec.
Don't navigate this crucial step alone. Our housing specialists are here to listen to your priorities, simplify the process, and give you back your peace of mind.
Fill out our online form: Submit a personalized housing request in just a few clicks. Our team will analyze your criteria to quickly suggest the best available residences.
Speak with an advisor right now: Prefer immediate, personal support? Connect with us directly by calling 1 (844) 918-1020 for free guidance with absolutely no obligation.
Begin this new chapter with confidence. We are by your side to find the perfect place to call home.
