Ontario Retirement Homes: Quality Care Checklist for Families

Leaving the family home can feel like giving up a piece of yourself. For adult children, helping Mom or Dad choose a retirement residence often comes with equal parts guilt and relief. Quality care in Ontario’s licensed retirement homes is real and measurable, but it begins with honest conversations and vigilant follow‑through.

1. Start with the Facts, Not the Floorplan

• Ontario has over 776 licensed retirement homes, all regulated under the Retirement Homes Act 2010 and inspected by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA). 

• Ninety‑four percent are private, for‑profit operations.

  Inspection summaries are posted on rhra.ca and must also be displayed in the lobby of each member home. Ask the staff to show you the most recent report before you tour the suites.

2. Look for Staff Who Know Residents by Name

Quality care feels personal: a PSW who remembers that Alice takes her tea with milk, a nurse who notices a new bruise. During your visit:

• Ring a call bell and time the response (aim for < 5 minutes).

• Ask how many PSWs are on each shift and whether they rely on staffing agencies.

• Notice eye contact—warmth cannot be faked for long.

3. Taste the Food, Check the Water Glass

Nutritious meals and adequate hydration can help prevent hospital trips. Ontario regulations require dietitian‑approved menus; most homes rotate menus every so often. Share a meal, watch portion sizes, and check that servers refill water jugs without being asked.

4. Activity Calendars Signal a Home’s Heart

A colourful bulletin board means little if residents sit alone in the lounge. Drop by unannounced during bingo, an exercise class, or a music afternoon. If staff light up at residents’ small victories, you have found a caring culture.

5. Ask About Infection Control, Not Just COVID‑19

The pandemic taught painful lessons. Now the RHRA requires every home to keep updated outbreak protocols and run evacuation drills at least twice per year. Look for wall‑mounted sanitizer bottles, PPE carts in halls, and posted outbreak notices.

6. Residents' Council

Ontario’s Retirement Homes Act, 2010 lets residents create an independent Residents’ Council; once formed, the home must provide meeting space, a staff assistant, and post council minutes. Ask to see the last set of minutes and check that management responded in writing to any recommendations—active dialogue here is a strong sign of quality care.

7. Cost Clarity Prevents Future Heartache

Compare:

• Base rent (suite, meals, housekeeping)

• Care packages (medication, bathing help)

• Optional fees (hair salon, outings)
  Make sure every extra is documented in the tenancy agreement.

It takes courage to hand a loved one’s daily care to strangers. Choosing well means staying involved: visit at odd hours, celebrate staff who go the extra mile, and speak up early when something feels off. When families and caregivers work as partners, retirement homes can become true communities.