Frequently Asked Questions

What does long term care mean?

Long term care facilities are designed for people who need 24 hour nursing service on hand and daily help with personal care. Some may also require a secure environment. Long term care homes are licensed and regulated by the provincial government.

What other residential care options are available to me?

Some seniors in failing health can continue to live independently at home through the province’s Home Care system, or in an apartment building with Supportive Housing service.  When these are no longer enough, they may be ready to move to a retirement home, a long term care home, or a complex continuing care unit.

Retirement homes offer meals and laundry service, but limited nursing care or none at all. Long term care facilities offer more nursing care and specialized assistance than retirement homes provide.  Nursing, therapy programs, and food services in a long term care facility are funded by the province, while retirement homes do not receive provincial funding and are not licensed or regulated.  

Complex continuing care (CCC) patients live in a hospital setting and need more medical care than long term care homes can provide. There is a CCC unit on the Georgetown Hospital Campus of William Osler Health Centre.

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What are the requirements for admission into a long term care facility?

• You must have an OHIP card

• The facility you choose is able to look after your particular care needs

• Community-based services cannot meet your needs

• No one is able to give you sufficient care or support at home

You must also need at least one of the following:

• 24-hour nursing service on hand

• Daily help with personal care

• Supervision throughout the day

• Protection from financial, emotional or physical risk of being harmed if living on your own

• Protection from risk of harm to yourself or another in your current residence

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How many times can I refuse a long term care bed?

If you refuse a bed offer, your name is taken off the list. You can re-apply in 6 months at which time your name is added to the bottom of the list. Should your status change within the 6 months, contact CCAC. Circumstances are different if you are currently in a long term care facility and refuse a bed. You can re-apply the next day.

How do I apply to get into the Bennett Centre?

You must apply through the Community Care Access Centre (CCAC).

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How long is your wait list?

Our facility is presently at full capacity and has a waiting list. As a result of the opening of many new long term care beds in the area, our waiting list has significantly decreased. CCAC maintains our wait list so it’s best to contact them at 1-800-810-0000 to request a current update.

Is the Bennett Centre part of the Georgetown Hospital?

The Bennett is attached to the hospital by an enclosed walkway but the Bennett is independently operated.

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What are the rates?

Accommodation rates are set by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and are the same for all long term care facilities. Rates may change on an annual basis. Please check with CCAC for the most current rates. The table below outlines accomodation rates:

Subsidies

Reduced rate subsidies are available to those who cannot afford to pay the basic accommodation co-payments. Please contact CCAC for further details.

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Are there any additional charges?

Yes, for extra services such as dental care, foot care, vision care, hair styling, telephone, cable television.

What is the difference between a basic and semi-private room? What is the size of your rooms?

The Bennett Centre has private and semi-private rooms (two residents share a room). Our rooms are much larger here than in other long term care facilities and they exceed the square footage requirements set by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

How are you funded?

We receive funding from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and through resident payments. We make capital improvements with generous support from donors, since governments do not fund these.

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How are you governed?

We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and are compliant with the standards set by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

How can I judge the quality of care at the Bennett as compared with other facilities?

Come and see! The best way to determine the quality of care is to tour the facility. Please contact the Bennett Centre at [email protected] or at 905-873-0115, extension 8512, to arrange a tour.

Click here to learn more about the public reports on long term care homes.

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