What you need to know about crisis placement into long-term care

Many Ontarians want to remain living independently in their home as long as possible. But a sudden change in health status, due to injury or illness, can mean that someone who was previously able to live at home, alone or with the help of family, is no longer able to safely do so.

When home and community care is not enough, long-term care may be the answer, and a crisis placement may be necessary to find a bed as quickly as possible.

How do you know if you qualify for a crisis placement?

You need to be assessed by a care coordinator at your local CCAC. Health care providers may indicate their expectation that you or your loved one require a crisis placement. But while they understand your health care needs, they may not understand the wide range of services now available for people who wish to remain at home. A CCAC care coordinator will meet with you, conduct a detailed assessment into your health care and needs, and decide if you qualify for long-term care, and a crisis placement. He or she can also tell you about other options and services available to you while you wait, or as an alternative to long-term care.

How long will it take?

Typical waitlists for long-term care are 150-300 days, depending on the facility. But a crisis placement means that an there is an immediate need for admission, so wait times are reduced, sometimes to as little as one week.

Once a bed becomes available, you have 24 hours to accept, and must move in within 5 days.

Making Choices

Under normal circumstances, you can request five long-term care homes, anywhere in the province. When you are assessed as needing crisis placement, you are able to list as many as you wish.

You may not get your first choice, but remember, with a crisis placement, your safety is everyone’s first concern. You can accept and still keep your name on the list of your preferred home. You will no longer be considered a crisis placement, but you will be waiting in a facility that provides the care and support you require.

However, if you decline a bed offer, your placement file will be closed and, under Ontario legislation, you will have to wait three months to reapply.

Financial considerations

There are fees for all long-term care, and it’s important to be realistic when making your selections. Not surprisingly, a private room costs more than a room shared with one to three other people. Subsidies are available, but only on basic (shared) rooms.

Caregivers

Providing care to a loved one can be exhausting, physically and emotionally, and many caregivers, especially spouses or siblings, may have their own health challenges. But caregiver burnout is not usually a cause for crisis placement.

Instead, there is support to help caregivers avoid getting to this point in the first place. Respite care provides care in long-term care homes for up to 60 days, or 90 days throughout the year. This can allow a caregiver to take a trip, visit family or friends, or just rest.

There are some circumstances, such as the hospitalization or death of a caregiver, when a crisis placement of a dependent family member may be appropriate.