Accessing Care Services by Province
AgeCare offers high-quality, resident-centred, government-funded long-term care and continuing care residential services at communities in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.
In each province, the provincial or regional health authorities are responsible for overseeing the assessment and application processes, determining eligibility, accommodation costs and subsidies, and managing the placement and waitlist processes.
Potential residents must follow the process below to access care at AgeCare communities; we cannot accept your application directly.
For more information on AgeCare communities near you, click here.
Accessing Long-Term Care in BC
British Columbia Home & Community Care
Long-term care in British Columbia is funded by the BC Provincial Government, through British Columbia Home & Community Care. The assessment and application process in BC is administered through a health authority’s Home and Community Care department.
Where Do I Start?
Start by visiting British Columbia Home & Community Care to review care options, costs and subsidies for Long-Term Care Services.
Contact your Local Health Authority
Each health authority in BC manages long-term care within its jurisdiction. To arrange for care, contact the Home and Community Care department of your local health authority to request an assessment for services that will determine the appropriate level of care and identify suitable facilities. You can then apply to the facilities that match your needs.
Contact Information for Home and Community Care at BC Health Authorities
For your assessment, you will need your BC Care or Services Card, contact information for your doctor(s), a list of your prescriptions or medications, and some basic income and tax information.
Finding a Long-Term Care Community
As part of the application process, you will need to research and select a long-term care home. The BC Government has published a booklet on Planning for Your Care Needs, that offers advice on selecting an appropriate residential care facility for you.
Accessing Continuing Care in Alberta
Alberta Health Services Continuing Care
Continuing care (also known as long-term care) in Alberta is funded by the Alberta Provincial Government, through Alberta Health Services (AHS).
The application process for placements is administered by Alberta Health Services Continuing Care.
Where Do I Start?
Whether you just need a little bit of help at home, access to other programs and services that AHS offers, or the more structured support of facility living, get started by dialling 811 (toll free) or emailing continuingcare@ahs.ca and speaking with a health professional.
Accessing Continuing Care
For information on Accessing Continuing Care, including getting started with the application process, the documentation you need (e.g. Alberta Health Care insurance plan number), identifying the zone in which you live, assessments that are necessary to identify your care and placement needs, as well as the accommodation charges, fees or subsidies that may apply to your care, click here.
Finding a Continuing Care Community
The AHS has an online Continuing Care Facility Directory to assist you in locating potential continuing care homes.
Accessing Long-Term Care in Ontario
Ontario Health atHome
Long-Term Care in Ontario is funded by the Ontario Provincial Government through the Ministry of Long-Term Care.
Placements in long-term care homes is done through an application process administered by Ontario Health atHome.
Where Do I Start?
For general information on the long-term care system, visit Long-term care in Ontario.
The first step in applying is to get in touch with Ontario Health atHome by calling 310-2222 (no area code required).
A care coordinator will advise you about your options and support you as you make this important decision – which includes completing an assessment to help determine eligibility, guiding you through the application process and providing other valuable information.
Please look at the overview of Living in a long-term care home and a Guide to Placement in Long-Term Care Homes for more information.
The Ontario Health atHome Long-Term Care webpage has information on the types of care available and how to access care. There is information on eligibility requirements and admissions, the referral process, how to find and select a home, and a guide to transitioning from hospital to long-term care (available in 12 languages).
Paying for Long-Term Care in Ontario
Accommodation costs and subsidies are set by the Ministry of Long-Term Care and are the same for all LTC homes in the province.
If you are eligible for placement, you will not be refused because of an inability to pay and the province offers reduced rates for low-income residents.
The Government of Ontario has a Paying for Long-Term Care page with current information on accommodation costs, resident co-payment rates, the calculations involved in determining eligibility for subsidy, and instructions on how to apply for a rate reduction.
Finding a Long-Term Care Community
Use the Find long-term care homes tool to search for a long-term care home in your area.