Ontario is ensuring seniors living in retirement homes are further protected against abuse and neglect.
Starting today, Ontario is taking immediate action to further protect residents before the Retirement Homes Act comes into full force by:
- Increasing the availability of the help hotline, the Complaints Response and Information Service (CRIS), by more than 100 per cent with an additional 44 hours. This line provides help to retirement home residents, their families, caregivers and Ontarians. Previously only opened for calls Monday to Friday from 9 am-5 pm, it will be now open - seven days a week, from 8 am to 8 pm.
- Making it mandatory to report any suspected harm or risk of harm to a resident to the Registrar of the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (Authority).
- Obligating the Registrar to order an immediate inspection of a home, following any reports of abuse or neglect.
- Requiring all retirement home operators to post a sign with the CRIS help number in a highly visible and easily accessible location.
Contacts:
Denelle Balfour
Communications Branch
416-212-3928
denelle.balfour@ontario.ca
Melissa Zanette
Minister’s Office
416-314-4801
melissa.zanette@ontario.ca