The difference between retirement home and long term care home

 Retirement home

 A retirement home is a privately funded living arrangement for seniors who can manage their own care. Unlike long-term care homes, retirement homes are ideal for individuals seeking an independent lifestyle with some assistance in daily activities. They provide a safe and comfortable home-like environment.

Any individual can choose to reside in a retirement home if their medical needs can be accommodated. While retirement homes typically don't offer 24-hour nursing care, they provide some services like meal provision, assistance with bathing, dementia care programs, medication administration, incontinence care, or access to medical professionals.

In Ontario, there are four main types of care services offered in retirement homes:

Independent supported living: Offers a home-like environment with the option to add extra care services as needed.
Assisted living: Provides a home-like environment with care services included in the service fee, such as dressing, bathing, grooming, and medication management. Additional services can be added if required.
Specialized dementia care or memory care: Suitable for individuals with mild dementia, offering social, recreational, and fitness activities to support dementia patients.
Short-term stays: Designed for seniors who want to experience retirement home living or need extra support after hospital discharge before returning home.

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Long-term care home

Also known as nursing homes, they provide care for people who suffer from more severe medical conditions that affect their ability to function daily. At a nursing home, a resident will be offered more than just assistance with basic needs. Fully trained and qualified nurses are on-site to monitor and treat conditions that require constant medical attention. Care plans are tailored to the needs of the individual resident with specialist equipment and beds often required. Many residents are highly dependent, struggling with immobility and a range of physical or mental disabilities. 

 Many nursing homes cater to patients with specific conditions such as dementia, mental illness or cancer, whereas others deal with a range of diseases and disabilities. The obvious advantage to selecting a nursing home that provides specialist care for a specific condition is that they are equipped to deal with advanced stages of that disease and may offer an expert level of care to that sector.

The long-term care home placement process includes a multi-part assessment, including an assessment by a Home and Community Care Support Services care coordinator to help determine your eligibility for long-term care.   

Nursing homes provide 24-hour care and support and are equipped to look after patients with more complex needs. 

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