Housing Options for Seniors Who Can No Longer Stay at Home

Over time, it can become difficult to stay in your home, even with support. A private seniors’ residence might be a good option if you’re looking for a safer environment or want access to services that make daily life easier. If you lose a significant level of autonomy, an intermediate resource or a long-term care centre (CHSLD) can provide the support and medical care you need.

Different types of housing for seniors

Depending on your needs and financial situation, you have several housing options. As your needs change, you can move from one type of housing to another. Here’s an overview of your options. 

If you are independent or have only a slight loss of autonomy, you can rent an apartment or room in a private seniors’ residence (RPA). These residences offer services like meals, domestic help, and social activities. They are privately owned and operated, but must follow rules set by the government. 

If you need help with daily activities like bathing, getting dressed, or eating, but don’t need continuous health care, a worker from Santé Québec could recommend that you move into an intermediate resource (IR). You can also receive occasional medical care from your local community services centre (CLSC).

If you have a significant loss of autonomy or need continuous health care, a worker from Santé Québec could recommend that you move into a public long-term care centre (CHSLD) or a senior or alternative home. These housing options provide complete support and continuous care: nursing and medical care, meals, hygiene, housekeeping, and more. You can also choose to live in a private CHSLD.

Eligibility criteria and wait times can limit your options, so make sure to get informed and plan ahead.

You have rights when leaving your home

Whether you’re moving because of a health issue or by personal choice, you have rights as a tenant. 

Ending your lease due to health reasons

If you rent your home, you can end your lease early if you need to move to a place that offers the care you need. You can do this when moving to one of these places:  

• a CHSLD,  
• an intermediate resource,  
• a private seniors’ residence. 

Read our guide to rental housing to learn more about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. 

Your rights as a tenant in a seniors’ residence 

When you move into a private seniors’ residence, you become a tenant. Like any tenant, you have rights, including: 

• the right to live in a safe and well-maintained space, 
• the right to ask that your home be adapted for your safety (like by installing handrails or an access ramp), 
• the right to receive a notice if the terms of your lease change. 

Your right to stay in your home as long as it’s safe

In general, no one can force you to leave your home. As long as you’re able to make decisions and understand their consequences, you can decide where to live. 

If, one day, your health condition prevents you from making these decisions (a situation called incapacity), your loved ones can ask the court for permission to relocate you. The court will consider whether the move is necessary for your safety or well-being. 

Your opinion will still be considered, unless your condition makes it impossible for you to express it. 

To better understand who can decide for you if you lose your autonomy, see our article on housing for persons in loss of autonomy. 

Express your housing wishes in advance

If you become incapacitated, you might no longer be able to choose where you live. To make sure your wishes are known and respected, talk with your family about your housing preferences in advance. You can also prepare a protection mandate, a legal document that lets you name someone you trust to make decisions for you if you become incapacitated.  

If you don’t have a protection mandate and you become incapacitated, anyone close to you can ask the court to put a tutorship in place for you.