Stronger Protections for Ontario’s Retirement Home Residents
February 22, 2011
McGuinty Government Proposes To Strengthen the Care And Safety Of Seniors
Ontario is one step closer to strengthening protections for seniors in retirement homes across the province.
Proposed regulations under the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 were developed after extensive consultations and include:
- Care and safety standards – resident care plans, food safety, falls prevention, requirements for emergency and evacuation plans, mandatory staff and volunteer training.
- Resident rights and protections – abuse-prevention measures and requirements regarding residents’ financial matters.
- Definition of a retirement home – minimum of six residents per home and exemptions for premises governed by other provincial legislation.
- Licensing, inspection and enforcement – requirements for retirement home licenses, complaints procedures, and information to be kept on a public register of retirement homes.
Ontarians who would like to comment on the proposed regulations have until April 8, 2011 to do so on the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat website.
QUICK FACTS
- The proposed regulations are based on extensive consultations with, and advice from, care experts, seniors’ groups and advocates, municipalities and retirement home operators.
- An interim board of directors has been appointed to lead the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority.
- The second and final phase of proposed regulations will include: administrative requirements for the authority’s emergency fund; financial penalties for homes not in compliance with regulations; and processes around the transitional phase-in of regulations.
