Long-Term Care & Retirement Homes · Ontario
Long-Term Care & Retirement Homes: Legal Help for Ontario Families
Worried about the care your loved one is receiving, or facing pressure around a discharge or facility change? We advise family caregivers on long-term care and retirement home issues, and help resolve them without going to court wherever possible.
Book a ConsultationWhat can I do if my loved one is receiving poor care?
Many long-term care homes are under-funded and struggle to meet their obligations, which can result in poor service or neglect for residents.
We advise residents and family members on how to navigate these situations. Where it makes sense, we provide "behind the scenes" advice rather than getting directly involved — an adversarial approach isn't always the best strategy when you still need a working relationship with your loved one's caregivers.
What if my loved one is being discharged from a long-term care home?
We explain the legal context, walk you through your options, and can negotiate on your behalf.
Given the shortage of long-term care beds in Ontario, residents are often limited in where they can go if they're unhappy with an existing arrangement — which makes understanding your actual options especially important before agreeing to anything.
Can I file a formal complaint about a long-term care or retirement home?
Yes — where necessary, we can help you file a formal complaint.
We usually consider quieter, behind-the-scenes options first, since maintaining the relationship with your loved one's care team often matters. A formal complaint is one tool among several, not always the first step.
What if my siblings and I disagree about the right care or facility for our parent?
If you're struggling to reach agreement with family members or others who share decision-making authority, we can help you pursue becoming your parent's sole substitute decision-maker.
See our Guardianship Law page for more on what that process involves, and our Elder Law page for more on navigating disputes between family members generally.
How Lisa Feldstein Law Office Can Help
Focused experience in Ontario health and caregiver law
Lisa Feldstein has focused her legal practice on family caregivers since 2013. She is an Adjunct Professor of Health Care Law at York University, and has been published and interviewed in outlets including the Canadian Journal of Family Law, CTV, and the National Post.
We understand the importance of relationships in these situations, and that an adversarial approach is not necessarily the best strategy when interacting with a loved one's caregivers — but we'll advocate firmly when that's what the situation calls for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Long-term care & retirement homes: common questions
Do you only get involved once things are already in dispute?+
Not necessarily. We often provide advice and negotiate on your behalf before things become a formal dispute, and we generally aim for amicable solutions rather than going to court.
What are resident rights in a long-term care home?+
Residents and their families have certain rights regarding care plans, discharge, and how concerns are addressed. What applies to your situation depends on the specific facts, which we're happy to discuss with you directly.
What if there aren't enough long-term care beds available?+
Bed shortages can genuinely limit where a resident can go if they're unhappy with their current placement. We help you understand the realistic options given that shortage, rather than options that sound good on paper but aren't practically available.
Can you help even if I just want quiet, behind-the-scenes advice?+
Yes. We regularly provide "behind the scenes" advice specifically because involving a lawyer directly can sometimes introduce unnecessary complications with a facility or care team.
Related Legal Topics
You may also find these pages useful
Worried about a loved one's long-term care or retirement home situation?
Book a ConsultationLisa Feldstein Law Office Professional Corporation
Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 3P4
Canada
Tel: 416-937-8768
