What is the difference between private and public seniors’ residences?

What is a private residence?
A private residence is either:
1. A residential building where the building operator has certification from the Department of Health and Human Services.
2. A private, non-contracted, long-term care nursing home.

Since 2007, private residences must adhere to the certification of the Ministry of Health and Social Services. A private seniors’ residence must obtain a certificate of compliance in order to maintain activities for its clientele. It must comply with various requirements with respect to security, food, access to premises, etc. Every two years, certificates are renewed if the residence is still in compliance.

What makes access to private residences enticing is the eligibility for the Tax Credit for Home-Support Services for Seniors (in french), and that contrary to public residences, waiting lists are virtually nonexistent.

In Quebec, we can count over 2000 private seniors’ residences. These types of residences belong to real estate groups who manage multiple residences. Entirely private interests therefore manage these residences.

What is a public residence?

A residence that belongs to the public network and is under the supervision of the Health and Social Services. When your condition deteriorates, you can apply to your CLSC for a nurse’s assessment of your needs. After this assessment, the CLSC will be able to determine the services and the care that you will need, and will put you on a waiting list for public housing network access.
The costs of accommodation are determined by the Quebec Health Insurance Board (RAMQ).

There are two types of residences in the public network:

1. Intermediate resources (IR). These are the equivalent of a semi-autonomous person within the private network.
2. A private, contracted, long-term care nursing home.

In summary…
Before selecting a residence, it is important to have a clear idea of your needs and expectations:
1. Establish your budget
2. Identify your needs and tastes
3. Identify the residence that you visit
4. Fill in the checklist of needs as well as notes of your visits
5. Compare costs and services
6. Select a residence
7. Sign the lease
You can access the Résidences-Québec directory yourself to find nearby residences that may suit your needs. If you wish, it is also possible to get assistance from a housing counselor.

Sources:
FADOQ
Revenu Québec
Elderly of the Centre-du-Québec