Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care

Housing & Care Planning

Finding the right housing and care options is important to our wellbeing. Whether we are staying in your current home or considering a future move, there are supports and resources available to you.

Learn more:

Aging in Place

Most older adults prefer to remain in their own homes as long as possible. This is often called "aging in place." It is important to consider what supports are needed for this to be a safe and healthy option. Don't just think about your current needs but also your future needs.

Supports that can help you age in place include:

Many older adults can safely remain in their home if they have help with their daily routine and basic health needs.

For more information on community and home supports please visit Community Supports / Resources for Seniors.

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Safe and Healthy Home for Seniors 

The Manitoba Safe and Healthy Home for Seniors Program will provide up to $1.5 million to help cover the cost of home accessibility and safety upgrades. This program will provide an affordable option to support seniors to remain in the community longer.

Seniors aged 65 and older and family members who have seniors living with them can apply for funding of up to $5,000 ($6,500 in rural and remote areas) to help fund basic home adaptations that are essential for daily living.

To be eligible, the applicant must have a combined household income of $60,000 or less. The program is being administered by March of Dimes Canada. Applications are available here or by calling 1-866-906-6006.

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Rental Supports

Supports are available to seniors who are renting and want to age in place:

Rent Assist:

  • provides financial help for low-income seniors who rent their accommodations
  • it helps make your rent more affordable by paying you a benefit
  • the amount is based on your income and the cost of rent in the market for your family size
  • for more information visit the Rent Assist web page

Landlord Responsibilities:

  • seniors sometimes experience new health problems or disabilities
  • due to changes in a health, sometimes a change in your suite or rental may be needed
  • landlords have an obligation (see The Human Rights Code) to make reasonable accommodations
  • reasonable accommodation often involves a simple change to how something is done.
  • for example, a landlord can install a flashing smoke detector in the apartment of a tenant who is deaf
  • Contact the Manitoba Human Rights Commission for more information

Residential Tenancies Branch:

Subsidized Rental Housing:

  • Manitoba Housing provides opportunities for subsidized rental housing
  • Housing may be provided for properties that Manitoba Housing owns and operates
  • Housing may be available for properties that are owned and operated by private and non-profit housing partners
  • Find more information on Manitoba Housing programs
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Moving Considerations

Before moving, consider your what your current and future support needs might be. Careful planning can ensure your next move is right for you.

Before considering a move and signing an agreement,

Find out as much information as you can:

  • Are any services provided that are included or available at an extra cost?
  • Who is the housing provider or landlord? And who do you call if an issue arises?
  • Are there potential rent or service cost increases?

What Legislation Protects You?

Contact:

Rental Tenancies Branch for more information
Phone: 204-945-2476
Toll Free: 1-800-782-8403
Email: rtb@gov.mb.ca
Web: www.gov.mb.ca/rtb

Types of Housing

In general, there are three different types of seniors' housing.

Independent Living: You look after yourself in a family home, condo, rental, or subsidized apartment. You might hire someone to help with meals, cleaning, and errands.

Housing with Supports: Also known as supportive housing, or assisted living, services are included. This may include meals, bathing, and an on-call healthcare worker.

Personal Care Home: Also known as nursing home or long-term care, this is available for those who need high levels of care. This could be due to a chronic illness or disability. In this situation your doctor can provide an assessment and advice

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Home Care

There are many kinds of supports available to seniors that make it easier to age in place.

 

Manitoba's Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) offer home care services. These services are available to people of any age who need medical attention or support with daily activities. An assessment is used to determine what services you may qualify for. Home care assistance enables people to remain in their homes for as long as it is safe to do so.

Regional Health Authority Home Care Resources

Resources and information on home care, day programs and self/family-managed care can be found at the website for each Regional Health Authority (RHA).

Self and Family-Managed Home Care

Self-managed or family-managed home care is an alternative to traditional home care provided by the Regional Health Authority.

  • Funds are provided to you and your family to arrange for your own home care.
  • If home care is already being provided speak with your case coordinator.
  • If not already receiving home care, you will need to have an assessment to see if you are eligible.

For more information contact the home care program in your region at the links above.


Adult Day Programs

Adult day programs help to reduce social exclusion and loneliness. This makes it easier to maintain wellness and helps seniors to continue living in their own home.

Day programs encourage seniors to engage in enjoyable social activities away from home. There is a cost for these services which are available through home care services.

For more information contact the home care program in your region at the links above.

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Assisted Living

Assisted living is also referred to as independent living or retirement living. In all cases, residents are provided with some form of services to making it easier for you to live independently.

They offer apartment-style living with additional services such as: ready-made meals

  • laundry service
  • personal emergency response
  • recreation and wellness activities

These types of buildings:

  • have private tenancies which are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act
  • charge rent and services fees which are paid for by the tenant or renter
  • are independent from the Manitoba healthcare system and is not an insured service
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Supportive Housing

As part of the aging in place initiative, supportive housing can help delay or avoid moving into a personal care home.

Features include:

  • accommodation in a safe apartment setting within a community setting
  • personal support services
  • 24-hour support and supervision

In supportive housing the tenant pays the rent and for a service package. This could include things like meals, laundry, housekeeping, etc. And the Regional Health Authority pays for the personal care provided through home care (no cost to the tenant).

Eligibility for supportive housing is assessed through the Regional Health Authority's Home Care Program. For more information on home care in your region visit your RHA website:

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Personal Care Homes

Personal care homes provide 24-hour nursing care. When a person experiences serious physical and mental decline, a personal care home may be a good option. Personal care homes are designed for those who can no longer live comfortably or safely at home or in a supportive housing setting.

View the links below for more information about personal care homes and how to access them:

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Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning

Palliative or end-of-life care is an approach that improves the quality of living and dying for the patient and their families.

The palliative approach provides:

  • exceptional care to alleviate suffering
  • important physical and practical supports
  • psychological, social, and spiritual supports

Palliative/end-of-life care is for any individual or family living with a life-threatening illness regardless of age. Palliative care can be part of an enhanced therapy for a disease, or it may become the total focus of care.

Find more resources at Manitoba Health - Palliative Care — Frequently Asked Questions.

Advance Care Planning

Advanced care planning (ACP) is a reflective process. It's a way to consider your values, beliefs and wishes for care.

ACP may include:

  • conversations with family and friends
  • sharing your wishes for health and personal care in the event you become sick
  • writing down your wishes
  • completing a health care directive
  • talking with healthcare providers, like your doctor
  • getting advice from financial or legal professionals

In the event of a health crisis where you become unable to speak for yourself, it's important your family and friends know your wishes.

Learn more:

Health Care Directives

A health care directive is also known as a living will. Filling out and signing a health care directive is part of the advanced care planning process.

As a Manitoba citizen your rights are protected under the Health Care Directives Act. You have the rights:

  • to accept or refuse medical treatment at any time
  • to express your wishes about the amount and type of health care and treatment you want to receive should you become unable to speak or communicate your wishes
  • to allow you to give another person the power to make medical decisions for you should you ever be unable to make those decisions for yourself

Learn more about the purpose of health care directives, forms and proxies.

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