Long Term Care
In 1995, only 1% of Canadians lived in long term care facilities, but this figure is 5% of those over 65 and 18% of those over 80.[4]
Although women make up an increasingly larger proportion of the older population, they are still overrepresented in institutional care.[4]
Being female is not in itself predictive of requiring long term care, but factors associated with being female such as low income, being widowed, and older age are associated with requiring long term care.[4]
In Ontario, the co-payment for a basic or standard accommodation is $1480.99 per month (17,771.88 per year).[6] If residents are able to afford a private room in a preferred accommodation, the monthly cost is $2028.49.[6] Some residents may be eligible for a rate reduction or for a government subsidy if their income is not sufficient.[6] This applies to basic accommodation only.
As with home care, the use of long term care facilities varies by income. Seniors with higher income are less likely to reside in a long term care facility, likely because they have the means to pay for the services they need to remain at home.[4] In addition, lower levels of education are also associated with being in a long term care facility.[4]
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4. Trottier, M, Martel, L, Houle, C, Berthelot, JM, Legare, J. Living in home or in an institution: What makes the difference to seniors? Health Reports (Statistics Canada, Catalogue 82-003) 2000;11:49-62.
6. Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Seniorsâ care: Long term care homes. Available at: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/ltc/15_facilities.html#3. Accessed August 2005.
