Retirement Homes Associations & Accreditation Bodies

Each province in Canada has their own retirement community association. In recent years, regulation of retirement homes has been a growing concern, and new government associations have also started to regulate retirement homes in Canada.

Regulation and accountability (including branding by corporations) are critical to ensuring that you find reliable care in a secure environment. Comfort Life works with the following Canadian associations focused on the retirement home industry and/or senior care:

Retirement & senior care associations

The Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) is an independent, self-funded, not-for-profit corporation established by the Ontario government under the Retirement Homes Act, 2010. The RHRA administers the Act on behalf of the government. Among its duties, it licenses retirement homes, maintaining a Public Register, and inspects retirement homes to oversee compliance with regulations and standards of the Act. Learn more about the RHRA.

ORCA - Since 1977, the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA) has been the voice of Ontario’s retirement communities and they remain committed to setting a standard of operational excellence in the sector. ORCA represents over 92 per cent of all licensed retirement community suites in Ontario, with members caring for nearly 60,000 seniors who choose to call retirement communities their home. ORCA’s membership also includes over 240 commercial partners who provide products and valuable services to retirement communities throughout the province. Learn more about ORCA.

BCSLA - The British Columbia Senior Living Association is a progressive group of industry professionals providing support to owners and operators of retirement and assisted living residences. BCSLA's member network includes private and funded assisted living communities and independent retirement communities both for profit and non-profit. They offer a voice to the government and stakeholder groups within the province of BC and work with our sister organizations to create taskforces to shape the future of the senior sector. Learn more about the BCSLA or view a list of member homes.

The Alberta Seniors and Community Housing Association (ASCHA) represents more than 24,000 seniors housing units across Alberta. ASCHA focuses on providing seniors with residential environments that promote dignity and quality of life and advocates on behalf of housing operators. Learn more about ASCHA or view a list of member homes.

Older Adult Centres' Association of Ontario (OACAO) is a not for profit provincial organization and charity. They include 145 seniors centres across Ontario and offer activities, resources and services to community based senior centres. 

The Canadian Association of Retired People (CARP) is a national provincial membership-based organization that has represented not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors for over 85 years.

The Ontario Community Support Association is an organization of community-based not-for-profit health and social service agencies and other organizations that support people living at home in their own communities.

Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) advises clients on their senior care options in that province. The service is free to all Ontario residents.

Home Care Ontario is an organization of home health and social care service providers, serving as "the voice of home care in Ontario." OHCA members deliver a broad variety of services including nursing care, home support services, personal care, various forms of therapy and many other kinds of senior care.

The Ontario Long-term Care Association (OLTCA) is the largest long term care provider association in Ontario and the only association that represents the full mix of long term care operators in the province.

The Ontario Association of Non-Profit Housing Services for Seniors (OANHSS) is a provincial membership-based organization that has represented not-for-profit providers of long term care, housing amd services for seniors, for over 90 years. As of 2017, it is being re-branded as AdvantAge Ontario. 

The Canadian Home Care Association represents over 600 organizations involved in home and community care across Canada. This national not-for-profit membership Association is dedicated to ensuring the availability of accessible, responsive home care and community supports which enable people to stay in their homes with safety, dignity and quality of life.

Accreditation Canada is an independent, not-for-profit organization that has been improving health quality through accreditation since 1958. We accredit more than 1,200 organizations representing 5,700 sites and services across Canada.

Resources for seniors looking for retirement homes or services

Elder Care and Senior Health Resources: provides online resources on elder care services to senior citizens and caregivers in the USA, including elder care news and senior service resources.

At Comfort Life, we never condone retirement homes that are negligent or underserved. The retirement communities you see profiled on Comfortlife.ca only offer the highest qality senior care you can imagine. Together with provincial retirement community associations, retirement home operators and corporations and the rest of the retirement home industry we work to help you find the best care for yourself or your loved ones. 

Find a high quality retirement community that meets your needs with our easy search tool.