Choosing a Long-Term Care Facility

Choosing a Long-Term Care Facility

Once a person has been assessed by Home and Community Care Services and accepted as eligible for subsidized assisted living or long-term care, they will be asked if they have a preferred facility. The adult can name up to three preferred facilities and will be waitlisted for those. An adult is free to change their choice of preferred facility up until the time they are offered a placement. The adult may be asked if they would consider another temporary option if it becomes available sooner––called an interim facility. Applicants are not required to consider interim facilities, but this option can be helpful if the adult needs immediate care and cannot get into the facility of their choice soon enough.(1)

It is important for prospective residents or trusted family members to research available facilities to find out which are suitable. To find facilities in a particular community, look on the local regional health authority website, where there will be links to assisted living and long-term care facilities by location. Many care homes will have their own website with photos and further information about their philosophy of care. Individuals can contact facilities they are interested in and arrange a visit.

Suitability for the resident may be based on a variety of factors such as closeness to friends and family who would visit, policies about alcohol, smoking or visiting, availability of staff who speak the person’s language, cultural, or religious preferences, the facility’s philosophy of care, their use of restraints, and inspection reports. VCH provides a useful list of questions to ask to determine suitability in their Introduction to Long-Term Care Handbook.

Additionally, Route65.ca can be helpful for those seeking either subsidized or private pay Long-Term Care services. The website provides resources to explore available options in their community when selecting up to three preferred care homes to waitlist.

References

1. British Columbia, Ministry of Health, “Home and Community Care Policy Manual,” (6 February 2023) at ch 6.D, online: <http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/accountability/policy-and-standards/home-and-community-care-policy-manual>.
2. Vancouver Coastal Health, “Introduction to Long-Term Care Handbook Helping you make the best choice for your care” (2019), online (pdf): <http://www.vch.ca/sites/default/files/import/documents/Introduction-to-Long-Term-Care-Handbook.pdf>.

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by Seniors First BC, February 2024.