Estimated reading time: 17 minutes
Understand the significance of long-term care and why making informed decisions is crucial. Explore ways to secure your health and finances for the future.
Yesterday, Mrs. CBB and I walked home from dropping our son off at school, and long-term expenses came up in conversation.
We’ve already discussed that we don’t need millions of dollars during retirement.
What scares us the most is not knowing how our health will be and whether it will decline quickly.
Many residents in these long-term care homes have no idea where they are.
Almost all of the residents, Mrs. CBB and I have talked to, want to go home, cry to us because they miss someone, or hold our hand while talking about their life story, but from the beginning.
Dementia patients work their way back through the years rather than into the future.
It’s almost as if they don’t care who you are, but are happy you are there, other than the employees.
In a long-term care home, each resident is there for a different reason, mainly to be looked after 24/7.
Dying At Home With Your Spouse
Years ago, a senior in our neighborhood passed away, and his wife is still living in their home.
She has gardeners who come by weekly, and her driveway is shoveled every day in the winter.
Since her husband drives, she now hires people to clean her home.
She pays for a gardener, maid/cleaner, meals, and rides to and from doctors or shopping.
If she’s healthy enough to stay home, then you might as well do it.
What kills me is that many people who have money to spend don’t get the chance to spend it.
We are stuck on having enough money to retire that we forget to live life.
Trust me. When you’re on an operating table or given so long to live, you won’t have that chance.
Long-Term Care Planning To Help The Transition
Enjoy your retirement if you are healthy; use a retirement budget if it helps your finances.
Not all retirees have a good pension or investments, so relying on the government and savings, if any, makes money tight.
If you end up in a long-term care facility, some residents are runners and need to wear an ankle bracelet for tracking.
Loneliness and depression are not uncommon for folks waiting to die and who need 24/7 care.
The ability to hire a PSW or care visitor may sound odd, but it’s a blessing to a senior with poor health.
I’m sharing the long-term care expenses while staying in a facility that some people don’t know.
We didn’t learn about long-term expenses until our mother-in-law had to leave her home.
I am sharing our experience of having a relative living in a Canadian long-term care facility.
Note: what I share below about long-term care expenses will vary from home to home.
Moving Into Long-Term Care And Home Expenses
First of all, your loved one won’t want to stay, which can be upsetting for everyone.
I wrote the blog post “How To Create Your Retirement Checklist” so you get the care you need.
If you’ve got yourself a Will, you can always add to it, so keep it updated as years change and people die or move on from your life.
Many seniors don’t even know where they live or why they are there.
Some will never know.
Being The Voice Of Your Loved One
Whoever holds the Power of Attorney should ensure that proper care is taken for your loved one.
Not all nurses and medical staff do what they are supposed to do.
For example, make a fuss if you find that your loved one is not being adequately cared for, including in terms of health and wellness.
Would you please stand up for them because they count on you to be their voice when they do not have one?
Other examples to remember when visiting a loved one are listed below.
- Not changing bed sheets
- Check the clothing to make sure it is folded and hung properly and is clean.
- Failure to alert any new hires to read who the patient is and their needs
- Leaving day clothes on and sleeping in them
- No bedtime routine, brushing hair, teeth, and dentures
- Bruising on your loved one
- Clean the Bathroom, including the floors
Those are just a few examples that any family needs to watch for and expect at home if something happens.
None of the boxes you ticked off on the long-term care planning list you did are falling into place.
Often, you may have to continue talking to a head nurse about problems you are noticing.
Seniors can be feisty and set in their ways, and often they have to be influenced with something.
Chocolate works for my MIL all the time.
Perhaps the staff are overworked or hate their job and do it for the money.
That’s always a tough place to be in.
All seniors need to be looked after, as they pay for the services with their savings.
Just remember that the senior you forget about could be you one day.
Now, let’s get into the extra costs of living in long-term care.
Beauty Essentials For Men and Women
Most care homes will have emergency beauty essentials for the residents.
Just because a resident is in long-term care doesn’t mean they shouldn’t look their best.
However, not all residents can use them for allergies or other medical reasons.
For this reason, be prepared to pay for the following:
- Toothpaste
- Polident for cleaning dentures
- Polident Paste
- Electric toothbrush
- Body soap
- Hair Spray
- Gel For Hair
- Lip Balm
- Feet and Body cream
- Mousse
- Make-up such as lipstick, pressed powder
- Make-up remover
- Day and Night cream with SPF
- Shampoo and Conditioner for women and an all-in-one shampoo/conditioner for men
- Foot Callous Remover For Smooth Feet. We have one, and it’s fantastic.
- Razors and Shaving cream
- Bubble bath
- Deodorant for both men and women
- Perfume (If allowed in the facility)
- Nail polish, Nail polish remover
- Face wash
- Hair Brush and combs
I’m sure you understand what bare health essentials your loved ones will need, and you’ll learn as you go.
You may even get a call from a nurse to let you know what your family member needs.
Pharmacy Products Not Covered
Other considerations are cigarettes or Nicorette inhalers, refills, and specific vitamins and medications.
If you want to reduce costs, ask the homeowner to purchase the items from the pharmacy.
For example, if your loved one uses an inhaler and refills, buy them during the 20X Optimum points day to save money.
Each month, her pharmacy bill stays around $250 and is paid out of pocket.
We’ve also set up an Amazon address to send our orders to the care home.
She also pays for her monthly haircut and colour, which costs around $50.
Fortunately, some long-term care homes have beauty salons for residents, so they don’t need to leave.
Cable TV/ Internet/ Mobile Phone
If a resident wants cable, internet, or a mobile phone, they must pay for those services.
Currently, she pays $70 per month for a cable package because she loves hockey and soap operas.
Adaptive Clothing For Long-Term Care Residents
Most adaptive clothes purchased come from Silverts online, as they cater to a wide range of needs.
They also deliver to Canada and the United States of America, which is great if you live out of town.
Silverts will also ship the items to the long-term care facility where your loved one resides.
Even older people who live in long-term care and can get dressed still could use adaptive clothing.
Your pay is worth the money since you don’t have to look around the stores.
You’ll also get what is listed below on their website.
Silverts is not an affiliate partner of mine, as I love their service.
Join the Silverts Canada mailing list and be the first to learn about free shipping, discount offers, and rewards point events.
Plus, get 10% off your next online purchase of $50 or more.
Be Frugal When You Need To Be
However, we have picked up some items at second-hand shops, such as a winter jacket for $21.99.
Depending on the season, we also look for comfortable tops and pants that are easy to put on and take off.
We do this for my MIL as she tries to be independent, and she is; however, a PSW often helps her.
From Silverts, we buy her bras, shoes, and slip-proof slippers, which she can slip on her feet.
Not everyone in long-term care needs help getting dressed; some are independent.
Some residents have money and don’t need to purchase used goods.
Staying in a long-term facility, whether private or semi-private, may result in costs that change from year to year.
Plus, finding the long-term care facility you’d like is not always easy.
Visit Long-Term Care Homes
I have recommended that you tour the long-term care and nursing home facilities in the past to find out which one you like.
Although, since Covid-19, I’m unsure if that is possible, you can drive by.
Perhaps the home has a 360-degree video with lots of photos to look at.
I’d call the home first to ask if there is a protocol and whether you can visit.
Letting your power of attorney know your wishes makes things easier for them if a note is in the Will.
Soon, you will find my Canadian Budget Binder Emergency Binder, which I highly suggest everyone download and fill out with the paperwork.
I’d store it in a fireproof safe or give it to the lawyer to add to your Will and Power of Attorney.
- Please allow me to live at “Super Fly Long-Term Care” as a nursing home and “Show Me The Money” for long-term care.
- I want a private room with cable TV, internet access, a laptop, and a mobile phone.
Finding A Room In A Long-Term Care Facility
Finding an empty room in long-term care can take time, so they often stay at the hospital.
Being in the hospital drove my MIL to restless hell, and all she wanted was to get out.
Finally, a bed was available in a private room at one of her hometown’s top long-term care facilities.
The room and assistance costs were just over $3000 monthly, and in a lockdown section.
Government Funding For Long-Term Care Residents
The government cheques CPP (Canada Pension Plan) and OAS (Old Age Security) cover the cost of a semi-private room.
For 2021, the maximum OAS is $635.26 if you earn less than $ 129,757 annually.
(Update) Based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), OAS benefits increased by 0.3% in the January to March 2026 quarter, bringing the increase over the past year to 2.0% from January 2025 to January 2026.
| Your situation | Your annual net world income in 2024 must be | Maximum monthly payment amount |
|---|---|---|
| I am age 75 andhaver | less than $148,451 | up to $742.31 |
| I am age 75 and have | less than $154,196 | up to $816.54 |
You can read all you need to know about OAS at Canada.ca.
It was not ideal, but fortunately, she had enough money to last her the rest of her life.
Only after six months did a semi-private room become available on the second floor.
She now resides on the upper level, with an elevator to go up and down.
Although the costs went down, allowing her the freedom to roam around made more sense.
Things are far better now that her room feels like home to her, which is what you want.
She has the time of her life when she is out with her PSW for a treat and city tour.
If there is no family to help you in long-term care, consider hiring someone to look after you.
You would pay for two days at the long-term care facility with a PSW, and for whatever the resident wants to buy, eat, and drink.
Seeing the smile on her face and the wind blowing in her hair tells us she’s happy to get out for a ride.
Although she doesn’t often recognize us right away, or at all, we know that deep in her heart, she remembers.
Decades Of Savings and Investments
In our 40s, we started to think about creating a Will and exploring long-term care and nursing homes.
When we were in our 20s and 30s, our focus was saving money, paying off debt, and paying off our home.
Between our 20s and 40s, we also considered the costs of living in a nursing home or care facility.
Not all seniors will have enough money to pay for extras while staying in a long-term care facility.
You have to imagine yourself living there and write down where you’d like to stay and how you’d like to be treated—hopefully, with kindness.
Each decade feels like we are crossing over into a new lifeline and understanding what is needed.
Now that we are in our 40s, we continue to learn about preparations for the future as we head in that direction.
Seasonal Needs For Winter, Summer, Spring, and Fall
It’s pretty basic when it comes to seasonal needs in a long-term care facility.
- Shorts
- bathing suit swimming
- Pants/slacks
- Undershirts
- Winter jacket
- Fall and Winter sweaters
- Winter boots,
- Adaptive shoes
- Diabetic socks
- Bras
- Underwear, unless the patient wears it, and adult diapers
- Men’s undergarments
- Pajamas
- Winter gloves
- Hats
Although it’s cold in winter, residents who smoke should go outside and dress appropriately.
If you live in town, finding these items at local stores may be more convenient.
Otherwise, we order from Silverts or Amazon, which makes the process much easier.
The home will also assist in returning it to the business if something is missing or defective.
Health Benefits of Long-Term Care
Services such as dentists, dentures, denture care, foot care, massage, occupational therapy, and physical therapy are not covered unless you have benefits.
For Mrs. CBB, physical therapy costs $125 for 40 minutes; however, my benefits pay 85%.
Prices have increased since COVID-19, when we would pay only $85 a session.
I’m unsure whether the residents can afford a massage therapist to visit the home.
My MIL has a dental assistant who visits her monthly to clean her teeth and inspect them for problems.
Dental is not a covered benefit for her, and she is billed $125 for a visit unless she completes a procedure.
Not all residents in long-term care need these services, but if they do, it will cost additional money.
Assistant For Long-Term Care Resident
When you or a loved one is in a long-term care facility and is allowed to leave, it’s always a nice change.
Staring at the same walls day in and day out is not something anyone should have to live with.
Even if you must pay a friend or a Personal Support Worker (PSW) to visit, go for a walk, or perhaps drive to pick up their favorite snack.
Communication and interaction with the outside world are like winning the lottery for them.
If you live in the city, try to make time for your loved one each week and visit.
For those of you who are out of town, as we are, the helper could put you on Messenger video to see your family member.
We’ve been fortunate to have this opportunity, even if it’s only 5 minutes long.
If you pay $20 an hour for a short outing and a snack, it’s worth it.
Room Camera
If you want to install a room camera, the homeowner has to approve it.
We are looking into the best indoor camera we can find, such as the EUF indoor camera.
Adding a camera also means paying for unlimited internet, which increases costs.
We are still worried about being nosy, but at the same time, she has bruises and has had a few falls.
It could be something like a PSW pulling on her arms too hard to get her out of bed.
Her knees are not the best, so she has to take her time getting up.
Now, there are notes on her corkboard for nurses and PSWs to read before treating.
Furniture For Long-Term Care Room
You don’t need to worry about furniture in long-term care; you get a bed, a chair, and a nightstand.
We purchased the following items for her room, but yours may differ.
- La-Z-Boy Remote Recliner 100% leather
- Touch lamp for her side table, so there is no reaching
- Flat Screen Television with a stand + Cable
- Stereo with 2 side speakers (she loves music)
- Real-looking baby dolls and other stuffed animals
- Walker
- Comfortable pillow
- Dirty clothes hamper
- Hangers for clothing in the closet
- Two crochet blankets- one for the bed and the other for her chair.
Make The Room Cozy
There is nowhere to sit when she has a visitor, so we hunt for a second chair.
She has no internet, cell phone, or room phone as she doesn’t remember what they do.
Cozy carpets are not allowed as they can be a slipping hazard.
Her room feels like home, with family photos, wedding photos, grandkids’ photos, and photos of her children. Oh, and me. lol
We also bought her a cross of Jesus Christ, as she is a member of the Catholic Church and the Holy Rosary.
As mentioned, your loved one may need different items, but you can decorate the room to make it feel like home.
Gas Money
If someone in a long-term care facility pays for gas when taken out for a drive around the city, it is worth it.
This service costs around $60 a month, but it’s pocket change for her to see people and places outside her home.
Food Money
Many resident facilities have snack machines, tiny gift shops, and a bar so the seniors can enjoy a drink or two and buy snacks.
However, a snack cart accompanies each resident in the evening with snacks.
For residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s, sweets are like gold to the patients as they slowly lose their taste.
We were worried about what she ate, but thought we’d let her live as she wanted.
So far, she has no problems eating her meals, but has choked several times.
Now, her food must be chopped into small pieces so it is easy to swallow.
You’ll never know from day to day what you will get from a long-term care resident.
The Ontario Trillium Benefit
The Ontario Trillium Benefit combines the following three credits to help pay for energy costs as well as sales and property taxes:
- Northern Ontario Energy Credit
- Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
- Ontario Sales Tax Credit
You must be eligible for at least one of the three credits to receive the benefit.
You can read more about the Ontario Trillium Benefit to see if you qualify for educational purposes.
Long-Term Care And The Future
Whatever we see today could come back to haunt us in the future.
I hope I never have to move into a nursing home or long-term care facility.
Our son can look after us, provided he stays in the city or nearby.
The only problem is that we don’t want him to think he can’t leave and explore the world because of us.
Overall, I’d say do your research on the nursing homes and long-term care facilities in your area and ask for feedback online, read Google reviews, or Facebook group reviews.
Transportation Vehicle For ForOut-of-Townn Appointments
One last expense was a transportation van, where the patient lies on a stretcher or sits in a wheelchair or in the vehicle.
A trip out of town costs $400 to the first facility until a bed opens up in her city.
Three weeks later, the bed opened, and it would have $400 to bring her back.
We said, “Forget that,” and just picked her up and tossed her belongings in the trunk.
She was the happiest woman in the world, singing, smiling, and bopping around.
Unless you have benefits to cover a transportation service out of town, know that it hits your finances hard.
Long-term care and nursing homes are facilities of care, love, kindness, and well-being.
Discussion: What have been your experiences with a loved one in a long-term care facility?
Share them below so we get an idea of what you and your loved one go through.
Our experience was moving our Mom to a retirement home with an eventual move to a nursing home. We had to buy a couch and chair as she didn’t have a couch in her apartment and no chairs good enough to move. We were gifted a new bed. We hadn’t been in her apartment during Covid and didn’t realize how bad things were. All her stuff was so bad we just threw it all out other than pictures and a few trinkets. It cost $600 to get rid of things and it was a very minimalist apartment. She hadn’t bought clothes in so long that it was all thrown out but one pair of pants. I got her lots of beautiful clothes at Salvation Army and a local non profit thrift store. She has dementia and didn’t realize.I can’t tell her how much the retirement home is as she would be upset. Her medications are about $30 a month. She won’t accept help with bathing so we don’t pay for that. She has a wander bracelet as she was trying to get out and she would get lost. She goes out for walks with staff. I don’t know how long before she gets a bad at a nursing home. It will be a private room in a locked unit.She wouldn’t like anyone in a room with her.
Hi Elizabeth,
I’ve never been to a nursing home, but our neighbours both moved into an apartment together. She sold the house after he went in as she could no longer look after him.
So the nursing home you brought your mom to didn’t have furniture in her room? Many times dementia patients don’t even know what’s happening to them. I hate this disease.
We also look at the Salvation Army or Goodwill for clothing and jackets along with Silverts for shoes and boots. The wander bracelet for dementia patients should be a requirement if it’s not. It’s incredible what some residents will do to break loose and take off from the nursing home. Thanks for your comment.
I had my mother in a Home for the Aged for 5 years until her death at age 96. However I also worked as an RN in the same Long Term Care home /Home for the Aged for 22 years. My mother did not have dementia but seemed reasonably content in her one room. African violets on the wide window sill, TV on her dressing table and plenty of room to sort stamps, potentially for her stamp collection (most of which I am still harboring LOL). One thing I do think should be mentioned is the fact that there are several types of LTC Homes. The 2 which I will focus on are for-profit homes and charitable homes. My mother was in a charitable Home. As such, her previous year’s income tax information determined the amount of her monthly fee. Her personal savings were not information which was required. Had we installed her in a for-profit home, her savings account would have been included in determining her monthly fee. At significantly higher cost. My experience with Mum was from 1995-2001. My ex-mother-in-law was in a for-profit home and her monthly fee was $1500 more than my mother’s. Her savings would be depleted until they were gone. Worth looking into the type of LTC you are considering – if possible – before it become a crisis or emergency situation.
Hi Mary,
That’s a very good point you bring up about the different types of long-term care homes. I believe my MIL is in one regulated by the government. Were you able to see your mother when you were at work? Thank you for being a nurse as it takes a special, caring person to do what nurses and PSW’s do.
Yes I was able to visit my mother after my shift. That was a blessing to see her, even briefly, almost daily..