How much does long-term care cost in Canada?

Long-term care is publicly subsidized, and residents pay an income-tested co-payment set by their province, typically for standard, semi-private, or private rooms. It is usually far less than private assisted living, but access is needs-based.

How do you get into long-term care?

Access runs through your provincial health authority, which assesses eligibility based on care needs. You apply, list preferred homes, and often wait for a bed. A hospital or community care coordinator usually helps arrange it.

What is the difference between long-term care and a retirement home?

Long-term care is publicly funded nursing care for heavy needs, accessed through the province with a waitlist. A retirement home is private-pay housing you can move into directly, for seniors who are more independent.

How long is the wait for long-term care?

It varies widely by province, region, and home, from weeks to well over a year for the most requested homes. Applying early and listing several homes shortens the wait. A crisis placement can move faster from hospital.

24-hour nursing for complex needs

Long-Term Care

Long-term care homes provide 24-hour skilled nursing and complex care for seniors with significant medical needs. Access is often coordinated through your provincial health authority.

Read the complete guide to long-term care

Answer a few questions to get personalized results

Step 1 of 5

Who are you searching for?

Access is typically coordinated through a provincial health authority.

Wait lists are common; apply early and list multiple preferred homes.

Costs are partly subsidized, with income-tested resident co-payments.

Long-term care homes provide 24-hour nursing and complex care for seniors with heavy medical or daily needs that can no longer be met at home or in a retirement residence. Unlike private retirement living, long-term care is publicly funded and government-regulated, and access runs through your provincial health authority.

That changes how you plan: there is an eligibility assessment, resident co-payments are income-tested and set by the province, and popular homes carry waitlists, so applying early and listing several preferred homes matters. Our long-term care guide explains the process, and the retirement home vs nursing home comparison helps you tell the options apart.

Typical cost in Canada

$2,000–$3,000 income-tested /mo (illustrative; local rates vary, so request a quote).

Long-Term Care providers

4.1 average rating17,263 Google reviewsacross 797 providers

796 communities

Sort by

Chartwell Crescent Gardens Retirement Community

1222 King George Blvd, Surrey, BC V4A 9W6, Canada

Starting at

From $2,875/mo

Chartwell Crescent Gardens Retirement Community

66/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(70 reviews)

“The staff at Crescent Gardens are all wonderful but Christine Gaundan-Nair was so compassionate and kind to me when my wife passed early in the morning on Feb...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A retirement residence in South Surrey offering independent living, assisted living, and long-term care with 24-hour… Read more

Chartwell Langley Gardens Retirement Residence

8888 202 St., Langley Twp, BC V1M 4A7, Canada, Langley Township, British Columbia

Starting at

From $3,765/mo

Chartwell Langley Gardens Retirement Residence

66/ 100

Good confidence

4.8(83 reviews)

“My mom spent 3 years at Chartwell Langley Gardens…a wonderful place surrounded by kind, compassionate and caring staff. The food and services were very good,...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Memory Care, Independent Living

A retirement residence in Langley, British Columbia, offering a continuum of care from independent living to long-term… Read more

Magnolia Gardens - A Bria Seniors' Community

5840 Glover Rd, Langley, BC V3A 9K3, Canada

Starting at

$3,500–$4,600/mo

Magnolia Gardens - A Bria Seniors' Community

66/ 100

Good confidence

4.5(20 reviews)

“Yes, I love visiting my lovely mom at Magnolia Gardens. The staff are so friendly and helpful. Thank you very much! Sending warm blessings, peace and happiness...”

Provides: Memory Care, Independent Living, Long Term Care

An independent living retirement community in Langley, BC, offering 115 suites in various floor plans plus a 40-suite BriaCare… Read more

Sunrise of Lynn Valley

980 Lynn Valley Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7J 3V7, Canada

Starting at

From $9,698/mo

66/ 100

Good confidence

4.8(88 reviews)

“I’ve worked with Sunrise Senior Living in Lynn Valley for over 17 years through my hearing care practice, and I can honestly say the team there is absolutely...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Long Term Care, Memory Care

A long-term care and memory care community in North Vancouver offering personalized 24-hour care in a central Lynn Valley… Read more

Sunrise of Vancouver

999 W 57th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6P 6Y9, Canada

Starting at

From $8,390/mo

66/ 100

Good confidence

4.7(83 reviews)

“BEAUTIFUL AIRY SPACES , BRIGHT SPACES FOR CLIENTS TO ASSEMBLE . CLEAN KIND STAFF NICE CLEAN GROUNDS AS WELL !”

Provides: Retirement Home, Long Term Care, Memory Care

A senior residence in South Vancouver offering long-term care and memory care with personalized service plans and 24-hour… Read more

Sunrise of Victoria

920 Humboldt St, Victoria, BC V8V 4W7, Canada

Starting at

From $7,813/mo

66/ 100

Good confidence

4.5(64 reviews)

“My father lived the last seven months of his life at Sunrise. The facility itself is beautiful, warm and homey with a welcoming atmosphere and dedicated and...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Long Term Care, Memory Care

A senior living community in Victoria, BC offering long-term care and memory care with 24-hour licensed care and personalized… Read more

A+ Solutions Home Health Care Inc

6575 Av. Somerled, Montréal, QC H4V 1T1, Canada

Call for Pricing

65/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(39 reviews)

“Highly recommend A+ Solutions for home care in Montreal. Their personal support worker provided exceptional care for my mother, showing true compassion and...”

Provides: Home Care, Long Term Care

A licensed private home care agency in Montreal, Laval, and the West Island offering nursing care, personal support,… Read more

Bendale Acres Long-Term Care Home (City of Toronto)

2920 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1P 2T8, Canada

Call for Pricing

Bendale Acres Long-Term Care Home (City of Toronto)

65/ 100

Good confidence

4.5(24 reviews)

“I can see it from my private school window. Great building it makes me happy.”

Provides: Long Term Care

A City-operated long-term care home serving 302 residents in Toronto. The home provides individualized care within a safe and… Read more

Bethany Lodge

23 Second St, Unionville, ON L3R 2C2, Canada, Markham, Ontario

Call for Pricing

65/ 100

Good confidence

4.5(32 reviews)

“I cannot say enough about the care and love that my father received during his short stay at Bethany. The nurses, PSW and all staff were OUTSTANDING. They...”

Provides: Memory Care, Long Term Care, Independent Living

Operates three residential communities in Unionville, Ontario, offering long-term care, independent living, and life-lease suites for… Read more

Centre Le Royer

7351 Av. Jean-Desprez, Anjou, QC H1K 5A6, Canada, Montréal, Quebec

Call for Pricing

65/ 100

Good confidence

4.5(39 reviews)

“Mon père y a passé du temps doux, rempli d’attention et d’affection. Ils ont fait de l’accompagnement de mon parent vieillissant, une étape plus facile. Merci...”

Provides: Respite Care, Long Term Care

A long-term care home in Anjou, Montréal, with 96 beds opened in 1989, offering personalized, safe and quality care and services… Read more

Copernicus Lodge

66 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 3A7, Canada

Call for Pricing

65/ 100

Good confidence

4.5(30 reviews)

“My Babcia has been at Copernicus for over a year now, I miss her from Montreal but; she is having a blast. They have a lot of activities, carnivals, singing...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Long Term Care, Independent Living

High-quality services and care for Toronto's aging population. It is a not-for-profit organization with a Christian… Read more

Courtyard Gardens Retirement Residence

7051 Moffatt Rd, Richmond, BC V6Y 3Y6, Canada

Call for Pricing

65/ 100

Good confidence

4.5(24 reviews)

“He needed a home, a community, care, respect/dignity; my vulnerable friend had lost his hearing and communication ability, was an introverted man who had no...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Independent Living, Assisted Living

A retirement residence in Richmond offering independent living, independent supportive living, assisted living, long-term care,… Read more

Dania Home

4175 Norland Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 3S7, Canada

Call for Pricing

65/ 100

Good confidence

4.6(54 reviews)

“Everyone here is amazing. I am moving in today and wished I moved in here earlier. My new home is a 10. This is the place to live and enjoy life. Cheers to my...”

Provides: Respite Care, Assisted Living, Independent Living

Society is a non-profit seniors care provider in Burnaby offering a Campus of Care with residential care, assisted living, affordable… Read more

Echelon Wellness Bedford

540 Southgate Dr #204, Bedford, NS B4A 0E1, Canada

Call for Pricing

65/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(153 reviews)

“Hello fellow Military and RCMP veterans. I walked into Echelon Bedford to pick up a brochure. I was recommended by a military relative who spoke highly of his...”

Provides: Long Term Care

A long term care option in Bedford, Nova Scotia. Read more

Everest Home Health Care

2145 Dunwin Dr #3, Mississauga, ON L5L 4L9, Canada

Call for Pricing

65/ 100

Good confidence

4.8(31 reviews)

“I’ve been working with this agency for the past 3 months, and my experience so far has been very positive. The team is extremely supportive, caring, and always...”

Provides: Home Care, Long Term Care, Respite Care

A home care provider in Mississauga, Ontario offering in-home senior care, nursing services, and specialized care… Read more

Garden Terrace at Aurora

1600 S Potomac St, Aurora, CO 80012, USA

Call for Pricing

65/ 100

Good confidence

4.8(161 reviews)

“The staff is very caring and quick to respond to my family member. They treat everyone kindly and carefully and are well trained in care management.”

Provides: Memory Care, Long Term Care

Alzheimer's Center of Excellence at Aurora provides skilled nursing and rehabilitation services to residents with Alzheimer's and… Read more

Harbour Landing Village

4000 James Hill Rd, Regina, SK S4W 0N1, Canada

Call for Pricing

65/ 100

Good confidence

4.5(95 reviews)

“A Truly Exceptional Community at Harbour Landing Village! 🌟 I can’t say enough positive things about Harbour Landing Village—it’s an incredible community that...”

Provides: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Long Term Care

A locally owned senior care and living community in Regina offering independent, assisted, and personal care home services… Read more

Hawthorn Park Retirement Residence

867 K. L. O. Rd, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9G5, Canada

Call for Pricing

65/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(21 reviews)

“Hawthorn has a positive and friendly vibe. The staff are always open and helpful; they are responsive to requests and take the initiative to convey any...”

Provides: Retirement Home, Assisted Living, Independent Living

In Kelowna offers independent living, independent supportive living, assisted living, and long-term care. The… Read more

Helpers Care

1200 McGill College Ave Ste 1100, Montreal, QC H3B 4G7, Canada

Call for Pricing

65/ 100

Good confidence

4.9(41 reviews)

“I have had great experience work with Helpers Care for our mother. A great resource, very helpful and very responsive! It as been great to work with them.”

Provides: Long Term Care, Home Care, Respite Care

Non-medical home care services to seniors and adults in Montreal. Services include companion care, personal care, disability… Read more

Holland Christian Homes

7900 McLaughlin Rd, Brampton, ON L6Y 5A7, Canada

Call for Pricing

65/ 100

Good confidence

4.6(45 reviews)

“I go there for the Rosebud orchestra rehearsal every Wednesday and it is a great place for rehearsing.”

Provides: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Long Term Care

A senior-care community in Brampton offering independent living in six apartment towers and long-term care in two nursing… Read more

Find Long-Term Care Near You

Long-Term Care: frequently asked questions

How much does long-term care cost in Canada?: Long-term care is publicly subsidized, and residents pay an income-tested co-payment set by their province, typically for standard, semi-private, or private rooms. It is usually far less than private assisted living, but access is needs-based.
How do you get into long-term care?: Access runs through your provincial health authority, which assesses eligibility based on care needs. You apply, list preferred homes, and often wait for a bed. A hospital or community care coordinator usually helps arrange it.
What is the difference between long-term care and a retirement home?: Long-term care is publicly funded nursing care for heavy needs, accessed through the province with a waitlist. A retirement home is private-pay housing you can move into directly, for seniors who are more independent.
How long is the wait for long-term care?: It varies widely by province, region, and home, from weeks to well over a year for the most requested homes. Applying early and listing several homes shortens the wait. A crisis placement can move faster from hospital.

Related guides

All guides

Senior Care Path

Costs & Funding 10 min read

How Much Does Senior Living Cost in Canada? Every Care Type Compared

What every kind of senior living and care actually costs in Canada, from independent living to memory care and long-term care, what drives the price, and the many ways families pay for it.

Senior Care Path

Legal 10 min read

Estate Planning for Seniors in Canada: Wills, Powers of Attorney, and a Simple Checklist

A plain-language guide to estate planning for Canadian seniors: what a will and powers of attorney actually do, why the POA matters most, what happens without one, and a simple checklist to get it done.

Senior Care Path

Legal 10 min read

Elder Law in Canada: When to Hire an Elder Law Lawyer (and What It Costs)

What elder law actually covers, how it differs from estate planning, the moments a parent genuinely needs an elder law lawyer, what one typically costs in Canada, and how to find a good one near you.