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How to Start a Seniors' Care Business in Ontario

Table of Contents

Introduction
Getting Started
Regulations
Taxation
Financing
Managing Your Operation
Associations
Next Steps

Introduction

Seniors are one of the fastest growing population groups in Canada and the demand for senior care services is rising.

Examples of services that may be provided to seniors are:

  • Meal preparation
  • Assisted daily living (such as ambulatory care or bathing)
  • Laundry
  • Entertainment

The most common types of personal care facilities for seniors include:

  • Retirement Homes
    Privately owned accommodations for seniors who are able to manage and pay for their own care. Retirement home clients generally need minimal support with daily living activities.
     
  • Supportive Housing
    Designed for people who need minimal to moderate care, for example housekeeping or personal care, to live independently.
     
  • Long-Term Care Homes
    Designed for people who require the availability of 24-hour nursing care and supervision in a secure setting.

Getting Started

When you start a business there are several things to consider before you can sell your product or service. Most businesses in Ontario need to complete a minimum of three basic steps:

  • Find out what licences and regulations apply to your type of business
  • Choose a business structure and register or incorporate
  • Determine if you will need to collect and remit HST

Our business start-up guide will give you more information on these steps and other basic requirements for starting a business in Ontario.

Read online:
Business Start-Up Guide

Regulations

Your business may need licences and permits from the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government.

In addition to the information you will find in this guide, you can use BizPaL—an online search tool—to find licences and regulations that may affect your business. You can also contact the Business Info Line to speak to someone about starting your business.

Use online:
Permits and Licences Wizard

Contact the Business Info Line:
1-888-745-8888

Licences, permits and regulations that apply to starting a senior care facility include:

Retirement Home Registration

In Ontario, you must register your seniors' personal care business with the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA), and make sure that you comply with their rules and requirements.

Contact the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority:
1-855-275-7472 (ASK-RHRA)
Retirement Homes - Licensing

Health Inspections

Your business will be inspected annually to ensure that you are following the standards for senior services in Ontario. Find out more about the Long-term Care Home Quality Inspection Program (LQIP) from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care.

Contact the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care:
1-800-268-1153
LQIP

Landlord and Tenant Rights

Ensure that you are aware of your rights and responsibilities as a landlord, including rent increase guidelines.

Contact the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing:
416-585-7041
Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Personal Information Protection

If you gather personal information from your clients, make sure that you are following the rules of collection, use and disclosure of personal information in Canada:

Contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:
1-800-282-1376
A Guide for Businesses and Organizations Your Privacy Responsibilities

Health Information Protection

In Ontario, when you gather health information from your residents and clients, make sure that you follow the rules of collection, use and disclosure of that information.

Contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario:
1-800-387-0073 (within Ontario)
A Guide to the Personal Health Information Protection Act

Legal Questions

If you have legal questions, contact a lawyer who deals with business regulations. The Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service may be able to assist you in finding a lawyer, based on your needs.

Contact the Law Society of Upper Canada:
1-800-268-8326
Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service

Taxation

Depending on your location and the type of products or services being offered, federal, provincial and/or municipal business taxes may apply.

Read online:
Taxation Guide

If you sell goods and services in Ontario, you may need a business number to collect and remit the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Most businesses that make less than $30,000 in any 12 month period are not required to charge HST; however, you can register voluntarily and claim input tax credits. Speak with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for more information.

Contact CRA:
1-800-959-5525
Canada Revenue Agency – Business

Financing

Canada Business can help you find government financing options for your business. There are programs that apply to businesses across Canada, and others that apply only to businesses in Ontario. Use the Canada Business financing search tool or browse by type of financing.

You can also access Canada Business information through the ONe-Source online financing wizard. The wizard guides you through 3 easy steps to create a personalized list of results for Ontario business financing programs.

Search online:
Canada Business: Government Grants and Financing
ONe-Source Ontario Business Financing Guide

Contact the Business Info Line:
1-888-745-8888

The Ontario Business Program Guide (OBPG)

You can find Ontario-specific assistance for your business including advice, financing options, tax incentive programs and more using the Ontario government’s free online directory of support programs for business.

The OBPG provides:

  • An at-a-glance directory designed for quick and easy scanning
  • Programs and services for Ontario businesses
  • Basic information on programs as well as links you can follow for more detailed information

Search Online:
Ontario Business Program Guide

Managing Your Operation

The success of any business starts by setting goals and managing the ups and downs of daily operations. Here are some key factors to consider when starting a senior care business.

Insurance

Having the correct business insurance can provide peace of mind. Contact an insurance agent to discuss your business insurance options, or to develop a plan that is right for your business.

You may also wish to contact your local chamber of commerce or industry association, as some organizations offer members lower rates on their business insurance.

The following list is included to remind you not to overlook the complex areas of business insurance. It is best, however, to discuss your specific requirements with your insurance agent.

Basic insurance:

  • Fire insurance (extended coverage on buildings and contents)
  • Liability insurance
  • Burglary protection (theft coverage)
  • Dishonesty insurance (covers thefts by employees)

Read online:
Insurance for Your Small Business

Marketing and Advertising

Marketing can help you determine the value of your product or service and communicate that information to customers. Depending on your market and its size, you can consider using flyers, business cards, brochures, newspapers, radio, TV, the phone book or the Internet. Keep in mind, a satisfied customer or a positive referral is often the best form of advertising.

Read online:  
Developing a Marketing Plan 
Marketing and Sales

When preparing your marketing and/or advertising material, there are regulations to follow. When you promote a product or service, your customers need to have enough information to make informed choices. You can get more information on advertising requirements from the Competition Bureau.

Contact the Competition Bureau:
1-800-348-5358
Misleading Advertising and Labelling

Professional Services

The use of business support services can be essential to the success of a small business. Professionals can provide knowledge and expertise to ensure your business is operating efficiently.

As an entrepreneur, there are several types of professional business services you can consult:

  • Lawyers
  • Real estate agents
  • Insurance brokers
  • Bookkeepers
  • Accountants

Additional services that you may need as the owner of a senior care facility include:

  • Social workers
  • Dieticians
  • Doctors
  • Nurses
  • Physiotherapists
  • Occupational therapists
  • Pharmacists
  • Ambulance drivers

Employee Training

Your employees must be properly trained to work with seniors, and it is your responsibility to provide training and resource materials. The Canadian Red Cross and St. John Ambulance both offer courses that may be useful to you and your employees.

Examples of training for employees who provide care to seniors are:

  • First Aid
  • CPR
  • Injury prevention
  • Nurturing care
  • Security
  • Dieting and meal preparation

Read Online:
St. John Ambulance - Courses and Training
Canadian Red Cross - First Aid & CPR

Choosing a Location

For most businesses, choosing an appropriate location is critical. Your ideal location will depend on your business needs, zoning restrictions and where your customers and competitors are. Taxes, noise and the local business environment are also important factors to consider when reviewing your options.

If you are considering setting up your business in your home, make sure you know what regulations and restrictions will apply to your home-based business before you start.

Read online:
Choosing and Setting Up a Location
Home-Based Business

Layout and Design

Choose a layout that is appropriate for your clients as well as for your employees. Convenience and security are just two issues to consider when operating a senior care home.

To be suitable as a facility for seniors, a location may need:

  • Bath and toilet grab bars
  • Handrails in areas such as hallways and common rooms
  • Accessible doorways
  • Air conditioning
  • Showers without steps
  • Good lighting
  • Lever handle on doors
  • Nonslip, heavy doormats and runners

Selecting Your Equipment

Senior care facilities require special equipment that can accommodate clients with limited mobility or special needs. Some examples of the kinds of special equipment that you will likely need include:

  • Bathing equipment
  • Toilet seats
  • Walkers
  • Wheelchairs

You can purchase this equipment or it may also be available on loan from the Canadian Red Cross through their Health Equipment Loan Program.

Contact the Canadian Red Cross:
1-800-418-1111
HELP (Ontario region)

A good first aid kit is necessary. Ask a doctor or a nurse about first aid and verify with the St. John Ambulance in your area about what supplies you need.

Contact St John Ambulance:
1-800-268-7581

Selecting Your Menus

You may want to consult a dietician to help you prepare a list of meals for your clients, based on their specific needs or their doctor’s recommendations.

Contact the Dieticians of Canada:
416-596-0857
Dietitians of Canada

Client Records

You should keep records that will help you manage and keep track of the people under your care.

Common types of client information that you may record includes:

  • Medication intakes
  • Name of physician and hospital preference
  • Infection control information
  • Oxygen therapy information
  • Incidence reporting
  • Smoking and alcohol consumption
  • Family contacts
  • Medical history

You may also want to provide a book to each of your employees so they can record appropriate client comments at the end of their shift.

Remember, any personal information is subject to privacy regulations and it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the requirements.

Read online:
Privacy and your Business

Incidence Reporting/Emergency Situations

It is your responsibility to ensure that your employees know all the procedures in case of emergency. Create an emergency plan for your business and be aware of who to contact in different situations (for example, poison control, 9-1-1, fire department).

Contact Public Safety Canada:
1-800-830-3118
A Guide to Business Continuity Planning

Associations

There are many associations that may be of interest to you. It is not necessary to join an association, but some of the advantages include:

  • Promoting and exchanging marketing and promotional ideas among members
  • Establishing and encouraging high standards of quality and professionalism

Examples of associations for a senior care business include:

Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA)

As an ORCA member, you can network with other professionals, access training and benefit from advocacy resources. Members also receive discounted rates for events and advertising.

Contact ORCA:
1-800-361-7254
Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA)

Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association

Take advantage of advocacy services and learn about best practices for end-of-life/hospice palliative care in Canada.

Contact the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association:
1-800-668-2785
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association

Ontario Home Care Association

Access networking and education opportunities for home care providers in Ontario.

Contact the Ontario Home Care Association:
905-543-9474
Ontario Home Care Association

Next Steps

For other information that relates to starting your business, you can read the following guides:

Additional resources that may be of interest to you include:

You can also find books, magazines and other relevant print material at business service organizations in your community. To locate a Canada Business Ontario (CBO) community partner, contact us through the Business Info Line at 1-888-745-8888.

Need more information?

Click: Canada Business
Call: The Business Info Line, a collaboration between ServiceOntario and Industry Canada, at 1-888-745-8888
Visit: Find a Community Partner Location near you

Disclaimers

Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Some of the organizations listed above are not subject to the federal Official Languages Act or the French Language Services Act of Ontario. Their services may not be available in both official languages.

Date Modified: 2012-10-16

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