Long-term care comes in different forms

As the chair of the board of the Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa, I have become aware of considerable confusion about the various types of residences available to house seniors in Ottawa. I think it would be useful to clarify the differences.

Long-term care homes are places where senior citizens live and receive 24-hour care and assistance with daily activities such as eating and bathing. Some residents are unable to care for themselves and rely on assistance from personal support workers to sit up or get out of bed.

There are both “for-profit” and “not-for-profit” long-term care homes in operation in Ottawa. The not-for-profit long-term care homes are usually run by the municipality, a charitable organization, or a not-for-profit corporation.

There is a third category of home known as a retirement residence. These residences are privately owned and accommodation is made available to those senior citizens who enter into a contractual relationship with the particular retirement residence. Additional services are available and can be purchased on a required basis.

The Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa works and fundraises to enhance the well-being of senior citizens living in Ottawa’s 13 notfor-profit long-term care homes. All work is done by volunteers. Donations are applied to equipment or services as needed and benefit those living and working in the 13 homes.

We should all take the time to honour the work and wisdom of a senior citizen that is living in care. Oriana Trombetti, chair, Eldercare Foundation of Ottawa