Residential centres

What is a residential centre?

Residential centres, or residential and long-term care centres (CHSLDs) care for adults whose decreased independence prevents them from continuing to live on their own. Most elderly people who are referred to a residential centre require more than 3 hours of care a day. 

There are 42 residential centres on the Island of Montréal, including private CHSLDs funded by the Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal (Agence de Montréal), private unfunded CHSLDs and public CHSLDs. 

CHSLDs provide:

  • accommodation, assistance, support and/or supervision;
  • psychosocial services (psychologists, community organizers); 
  • nursing care; 
  • drug administration, medical and rehabilitation services.

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CHSLD services are not free of charge

Public and private CHSLDs that are funded by the Agence de Montréal apply similar terms and conditions and charge identical fees. Only private and unfunded CHSLDs* can set their own rules, provided they have a permit from the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux to take in residents.

The amount that the government requires as a contribution from people residing in a care facility in Québec is determined by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)*.

The amount of a resident's contribution is determined by the person's financial means i.e., assets, investments, pensions and other resources.

For more information on the financial contribution, visit the RAMQ website.

*In the case of private and unfunded CHSLDs, the monthly rent is set by the owner.

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How to apply for a place in a CHSLD?

You will need to contact your health and social service centre (CSSS) to apply for a place in a CHSLD.

Also, if the state of health of the family member necessitates a hospital stay, following which the person needs to be looked after in a facility, caseworkers at your CSSS will look for a place in a CHSLD.

For more information on admittance to a private CHSLD, visit the website of the Regroupement québécois des résidences pour aînés.

For a list of the CHSLDS on the island of Montréal, see the directory.

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Intermediate resources

What is an intermediate resource?

An intermediate resource (IR) is a residential environment adapted to the needs of people with decreased independence or who need help or support in their daily activities (one to three hours of care a day). All intermediate resources are affiliated with an institution of the public health and social service network, which is responsible for the quality of services they provide. 

For more information on admittance criteria, contact your CSSS or consult the list (in french only) [PDF - 30,9 Ko].

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Private residences for the elderly

What is a private residence for the elderly?

A private residence for the elderly is a residential facility where rooms or apartments are rented to elderly persons on the basis of a signed lease or payment of rent.

Private residences for the elderly can also offer security services, assistance with daily living and social activities. No additional fee is charged for these services if they are included in the lease; otherwise fees may apply. 

Private residences for the elderly are not funded by the healthcare system.

There are two categories of private residences for the elderly:

  • Assisted living residences
    • These residences offer at least one of the following five services: personal hygiene, meals and feeding assistance, mobility maintenance, transportation, administration of medications;
  • Independent living residences 
    • The owners of these residences must state in their information material and their leases that they do not offer any assisted living services.

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Certified private residences

Private residences for the elderly must be certified

The Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal is responsible for certifying all of the private residences for the elderly on the Island of Montréal. When a residence is certified, the Agence issues it a compliance certificate - renewable every two years – attesting that the environment is healthy, comfortable and safe for the elderly people who live there. 

If a residence is found to be non-compliant, the owner must take the required corrective measures in order to continue to operate the facility. An owner who fails to comply with the certification requirements may be found guilty of violation and be fined. Refusal to comply or repeated non-compliance may lead the Agence to force the closure of the residence. 

For a list of the private residences on the Island of Montréal, see the directory (in french only).

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Other housing resources

Montreal’s housing resources are not just for the elderly.

Some residences offer living environments adapted to meet the needs of at-risk youth, those affected by AIDS, those dealing with substance abuse or mental health issues, as well as those seeking social reintegration.

To obtain the contact information of one of these residences, please click on the appropriate heading in the site map:

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