Retirement living
Start with your day-to-day needs, preferred location, and a written quote. Ask which services are included and what support is available if your needs change.
Explore retirement communities →For Families & Caregivers
Practical tools for choosing a home and preparing for a move. Use provider quotes and official sources to confirm costs, services, and admission requirements.
Understand your options
Long-term care
This is a separate admission pathway. Use Ontario Health atHome for assessment and placement guidance; contacting a home does not apply for a bed.
Official placement guidance ↗Other living arrangements
Home care, senior apartments, active adult living, temporary stays, and memory support may suit different situations. Ask a qualified professional what support is appropriate. These are not interchangeable with a licensed LTC home.
Carehaven currently lists retirement communities and long-term care homes. For help exploring other arrangements, review Ontario’s care options.
Compare the full monthly cost
Enter your current expenses and a residence’s written quote. All amounts are in Canadian dollars per month. Leave expenses that do not apply blank. This is a planning calculation, not a provider price or benefit estimate.
At home
Residence quote
Enter figures to compare monthly totals.
Track one-time deposits, move-in charges, moving costs, annual increases, and refundable fees separately. Only include expenses you actually pay; avoid counting bundled services twice. Ask about public supports through official government resources rather than assuming eligibility.
Your tour checklist
Ask the same questions at each home. For LTC, ask the placement coordinator about the application process separately. Print this page to take it with you.
Checkmarks and notes last for this open page. Print to keep a copy.
Plan the move
Choose together
Ask the person moving what matters most. Discuss routines, social life, location, and support before comparing homes. Agree on a few priorities and revisit them after every tour.
Prepare the move
Confirm suite measurements and the agreement first. Plan furniture, address changes, transport, medication coordination with your care team, and a familiar first-day routine.
Support the caregiver
Share tasks across the family. Keep one list of questions and contacts. Ask providers about respite options and consult official local support resources for assessment and eligibility.
Official help in Ontario
Check a retirement community
Use the RHRA public register to review licence information, care services and inspection records.
Search the RHRA register ↗Apply for long-term care
Ontario Health atHome coordinates assessment and placement. Start with the official application guidance.
How to apply ↗Understand long-term care costs
See current accommodation charges and information about the rate reduction program for basic accommodation.
Costs and financial support ↗