What is the difference between the Retirement Homes Act and the Fixing Long-Term Care Act?
The two are often confused because they both relate to seniors housing in Ontario, but they
govern completely different types of residences and operate under different legislation.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
The Retirement Homes Act (RTA) governs Retirement Communities in Ontario.
What is a Retirement Community?
A retirement community (also called a retirement home) is:
● Privately paid for
● Primarily housing for seniors
● Offers optional services such as meals, housekeeping, personal laundry, etc.
● Offers independent, assisted, and memory care lifestyle options
● Residents sign a lease and pay monthly rent privately
Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA)
What the RHRA Does:
● Licenses retirement homes
● Conducts inspections
● Investigates complaints
● Enforces standards and resident rights
● Oversees safety, abuse prevention, staffing requirements, infection control, medication
management, and more
Important Point
Retirement communities are not medical facilities and are not funded by the government
in the same way long-term care homes are.
Fixing Long-Term Care Act (FLTCA)
The Fixing Long-Term Care Act governs Long-Term Care (LTC) homes in Ontario.
What is Long-Term Care?
Long-term care homes are:
● Government regulated and partially government funded
● Intended for people with high care needs who can no longer safely live independently
● Accessed through Ontario Health atHome (formerly Home and Community Care
Support Services)
Residents usually require:
● Extensive nursing support
● Significant mobility assistance
● Dementia care
● 24/7 supervision
● Two-person transfers
● Complex medical care
What the FLTCA Covers
The legislation sets rules for:
● Resident care standards
● Staffing requirements
● Infection prevention
● Use of restraints
● Resident rights
● Inspection and enforcement processes
● Care planning
● Abuse and neglect reporting
● Minimum direct care hours
The Biggest Differences?
Retirement Communities
● Independent, assisted living, memory care
● Private pay
● Flexible lifestyle
● Optional care services
● Offers more home like environments
● No government involvement with acceptance
● Governed by RHRA
Long-Term Care Homes
● A much higher level of complex medical care needs
● Government coordinated placement
● More clinical environment
● Care-focused rather than lifestyle-focused
● Governed by the Fixing Long-Term Care Act
A Simple Way to Think About It
A retirement community is primarily: “Housing with support services.”
Long-term care is primarily: “Healthcare with accommodation.”
Both play very important roles, but they are designed for very different levels of need.
For more detailed information on both Act’s, follow the links below.
The Fixing Long Term Care Act
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/21f39
The Retirement Home Act
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/10r11
Next steps in learning more about retirement community living-
Call us at 613-421-6073 or email info@solvaseniorliving.ca