To distinguish and advance the retirement home sector as a trusted choice.
To distinguish and advance the retirement home sector as a trusted choice.
We are a united voice serving our members in their delivery of quality services and innovation; forging strategic partnerships, providing education, resources and proactive advocacy.
1977
ORCA WAS FOUNDED IN 1977
220+
COMMERCIAL PARTNERS
90+%
OF ONTARIO RETIREMENT HOME SUITES
Since 1977, the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA) has been the voice of Ontario’s retirement communities and we remain committed to setting a standard for operational excellence in the sector.
ORCA represents more than 90 per cent of all licensed retirement community suites in Ontario, employing 30,000 front line workers caring for nearly 60,000 seniors who choose to call retirement communities their home. ORCA’s membership also includes over 220 commercial partners who provide essential products and services to retirement communities throughout the province.
For over 45 years, ORCA has been committed to advocating for a strong and prosperous retirement community sector by working with government and other stakeholders on behalf of our seniors, the operators who provide their care, and the sector as a whole.
ORCA provides leadership in areas of education and training; our learning platform, The Learning Centre for Senior Living, currently provides more than 120,000 users with the resources and support needed to meet provincial regulations, adopt best practices, and promote quality and excellence in all areas of operation.
ORCA is committed to providing supportive and safe environments for residents living with varying levels of cognitive abilities. ORCA’s Dementia-Inclusive Initiative provides information and tools to foster dementia inclusivity, reduce stigmas, and raise awareness for staff, families, and residents living in retirement communities.
Caring for seniors is our most important job and we take that responsibility very seriously.
Retirement communities are regulated by the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 (RHA) and are licensed and inspected by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA). Each retirement community can offer up to thirteen care services, including but not limited to assistance with dressing, assistance with personal hygiene, medication management, and provision of a meal.
Retirement homes are private sector businesses. Aside from COVID-19 pandemic funding assistance and unlike the long-term care sector, retirement homes do not receive public funding. The retirement home sector is 100 per cent funded by the seniors who choose to call a retirement community their home.
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