Choosing where to live in retirement is both a lifestyle decision and a financial decision. Some Ontarians want to remain in their current home, while others prefer a condominium, an adult-lifestyle community or a retirement residence where meals, housekeeping and personal support are available.
The right choice depends on your health, mobility, finances, preferred location, social needs and the amount of help you may need now or in the future.
- Housing and care options
- Quick comparison
- Costs
- Questions to ask
- Check the residence
- Future care needs
- When to look
- Official resources
Understand Your Housing and Care Options
Aging at Home
You remain in your house, condominium or apartment and arrange help as needed.
Support may include:
- housekeeping and home maintenance;
- meal delivery;
- transportation;
- personal support;
- nursing or rehabilitation services; and
- home modifications such as grab bars, ramps or stair lifts.
Ontario home and community care services may help eligible people remain safely at home, although some services may need to be purchased privately.
May suit you when: You enjoy your current home, have suitable support nearby and can manage the cost and upkeep.
Official information: Home and community care in Ontario
Adult-Lifestyle or 55-Plus Communities
These are communities designed primarily for older adults. Housing may consist of detached homes, townhouses, condominiums, rental apartments, land-lease properties or life-lease arrangements.
They often provide:
- accessible or single-level housing;
- recreational facilities;
- organized activities;
- exterior maintenance; and
- opportunities to socialize with people at a similar stage of life.
These communities are not necessarily licensed retirement homes and may not include personal care or health services.
May suit you when: You can live independently but want less maintenance and a more social environment.
Independent Living in a Retirement Residence
Independent-living residences generally provide a private room or apartment together with services such as meals, housekeeping, activities and emergency-response systems.
Retirement homes in Ontario are generally privately operated. Residents normally pay rent and purchase any additional services they require. Applications are made directly to the residence.
May suit you when: You are largely independent but no longer want to cook, clean or maintain a home.
Official information: Explore your care options in Ontario
Assisted Living and Personal-Care Services
Assisted living combines accommodation with help for everyday activities.
Services may include assistance with:
- bathing and dressing;
- medication;
- mobility;
- personal hygiene;
- meals; and
- scheduled health or wellness checks.
The amount and price of care vary considerably between residences. Ask for a written list of what is included in the basic monthly charge and what is billed separately.
May suit you when: You can direct your own care but need regular help with some daily activities.
Memory-Care Accommodation
Some retirement residences offer secured areas and specialized programming for people living with dementia or significant cognitive impairment.
Important questions include:
- What training does the staff receive?
- Is trained staff present overnight?
- How does the residence manage wandering risks?
- What happens if the resident’s needs increase?
- Can the resident remain in the same residence?
- What additional charges apply?
May suit you when: Supervision and dementia-specific support are required but long-term care has not yet become necessary or available.
Supportive Housing
Supportive housing generally combines independent rental accommodation with some personal support, safety checks or community services.
Programs, eligibility rules, available services and waiting lists differ by municipality and housing provider.
May suit you when: You want to remain independent but need some regular support.
Official information: Supportive housing options in Ontario
Long-Term Care
Long-term-care homes are intended for people who require significant assistance with daily living and access to nursing care around the clock.
Unlike a retirement home, you do not normally apply directly to a long-term-care home. Eligibility assessment and applications are handled through Ontario Health atHome. Applicants may select preferred homes, subject to provincial application rules and availability.
Residents pay a provincially established accommodation co-payment. The amount depends on the type of room, while the level of care is not determined by whether the resident occupies a basic or private room.
May suit you when: Care needs can no longer be safely or realistically managed at home or in a retirement residence.
Quick Comparison
| Option | Typical independence | Care availability | How you apply | Who generally pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aging at home | High | Publicly funded and private services may be available | Through service providers or Ontario Health atHome | Resident, government or a combination |
| 55-plus community | High | Usually limited unless arranged separately | Purchase or rent directly | Resident |
| Independent retirement living | Moderate to high | Optional services vary | Directly to the residence | Resident |
| Assisted living | Moderate | Personal support available | Directly to the residence | Resident |
| Supportive housing | Moderate | Selected support services | Housing or community provider | Resident, subsidy or combination |
| Long-term care | Lower | Nursing and personal care available 24 hours a day | Ontario Health atHome | Government-funded care plus resident accommodation charge |
How Much Does Retirement Living Cost?
There is no single Ontario-wide price that applies to every retirement residence. Costs vary by municipality and neighbourhood, suite or room size, meal plan, housekeeping and laundry, included amenities, parking, personal-support requirements, nursing services, memory-care services and annual fee increases.
The best way to plan is to calculate the all-in monthly cost.
Costs to Include
- monthly rent or accommodation charge;
- meals;
- housekeeping and laundry;
- parking;
- cable, internet and telephone;
- medication assistance;
- bathing, dressing or mobility assistance;
- nursing or wellness services;
- transportation;
- guest meals;
- storage;
- personal supplies;
- annual fee increases; and
- moving and downsizing expenses.
Compare With the Full Cost of Staying Home
Do not compare the retirement residence’s monthly charge with only your current mortgage or rent.
Compare it with the full cost of remaining at home:
- property taxes or rent;
- condominium fees;
- utilities;
- insurance;
- groceries;
- home maintenance;
- snow removal and landscaping;
- housekeeping;
- transportation;
- home-care services; and
- future accessibility renovations.
CMHC publishes seniors-housing market information that may help with broader cost and vacancy comparisons:
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Residence
Costs and Contracts
- What is included in the quoted monthly price?
- Which services have separate charges?
- How much have fees increased during the past two years?
- Is a deposit required, and is it refundable?
- What notice is required before moving out?
- Can the residence require a resident to move if care needs increase?
- Are there charges for temporary or occasional care?
- Are meals, housekeeping and laundry included?
- How often can fees be increased?
- What happens to prepaid amounts if the resident leaves?
Care and Staffing
- Is a nurse present, and during which hours?
- How many staff members are on duty overnight?
- How are emergencies handled?
- Can staff assist with medication?
- How are changes in a resident’s health communicated to the family?
- What happens after a hospitalization?
- Can additional care be arranged temporarily?
- Are outside personal-support workers permitted?
- How are falls documented and followed up?
- What level of care can the residence no longer provide?
Safety and Accessibility
- Are emergency call buttons available in bedrooms and bathrooms?
- Is the building fully accessible?
- How are falls handled and documented?
- What fire and evacuation procedures are in place?
- Is backup power available?
- Are doors and elevators secured where necessary?
- Is air conditioning available in suites and common areas?
- Are bathrooms designed for people with limited mobility?
- Are there secure outdoor spaces?
- How quickly can staff respond to an emergency call?
Lifestyle
- Can residents choose when and where they eat?
- Are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- What activities are offered regularly?
- Is transportation provided?
- Are pets permitted?
- Can couples remain together if their care needs become different?
- Is the residence close to family, doctors, shopping and public transportation?
- Can residents invite guests for meals or overnight visits?
- Are there quiet areas and outdoor spaces?
- What happens if a resident does not want to participate in group activities?
Check the Residence Before Signing
Ontario’s Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority provides a searchable database of licensed retirement homes. You can search by name, municipality or postal code and review information about the residence before making a decision.
Search the RHRA Retirement Home Database
Recommended steps:
- Confirm that the home is licensed.
- Review its RHRA information and compliance history.
- Tour the residence more than once.
- Visit during a meal or activity.
- Speak with residents or family members when appropriate.
- Request a complete written price schedule.
- Review the resident agreement before paying a deposit.
- Consider having a lawyer review unfamiliar contract provisions.
- Ask what happens if health, mobility or cognitive needs change.
- Compare at least two or three residences.
Planning for Future Care Needs
A residence that works today may not be suitable several years from now.
Consider:
- whether assisted living can be added later;
- whether memory care is available;
- whether couples with different needs can remain together;
- the maximum level of care the residence can provide;
- circumstances that may require a transfer;
- whether outside personal-support workers are permitted;
- how quickly monthly costs could rise as care needs increase;
- what happens after a hospital stay;
- whether short-term respite care is available; and
- whether the resident can remain in the same suite as care needs change.
When Should You Start Looking?
People often begin researching only after a fall, hospitalization or caregiver crisis. A better time to compare options is while the future resident can participate fully in the decision.
Consider starting the discussion when:
- maintaining the home is becoming difficult;
- driving is no longer practical;
- isolation is increasing;
- meals or medications are being missed;
- falls or safety concerns are becoming more frequent;
- a spouse or family caregiver is becoming exhausted;
- significant home renovations would be required; or
- the current home is no longer accessible.
These signs do not automatically mean that someone must move. They indicate that it may be time to compare home-care support, downsizing, retirement living and long-term-care planning.
Official Resources
RetireON provides general educational information and does not recommend or endorse a particular retirement residence, housing provider or care facility. Costs, services, licensing information, eligibility rules and availability can change. Confirm current information directly with the residence, service provider, RHRA, Ontario Health atHome or the Government of Ontario before making a decision.