Glossary

The words and phrases included in this glossary have been selected from existing glossaries available on Ontario Ministry Internet Websites as of January 2010.

Aboriginal People
A collective name for the original people of North America and their descendents. The Canadian Constitution (the Constitution Act, 1982) recognizes three groups of Aboriginal peoples — Indians, Métis and Inuit. These are three separate peoples with unique heritages, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.

Accommodation
Accommodation in a long-term care (LTC) home can refer to basic accommodation (standard room or any other type of room designated by the home operator as basic accommodation) or preferred accommodation (semi-private or private room). Costs for each type of room are regulated by a maximum government accommodation rate.

Act
A law passed by the provincial or federal legislature. Acts are also referred to as statute.

Administrator (Estate Trustee)
A person appointed by the court to administer the estate of a person who has died without a Will or the estate of an executor named in a Will. The administrator is now called an estate trustee.

Aging in Place
Aging in Place is the concept that supports the aging process in a residential environment. The goal is to maintain independence with dignity in a safe and comfortable environment.

Appeal
A request made to a higher court, tribunal or authority for the review of a decision.

Beneficiary
A person designated to receive something as a result of a legal document, such as a Will or insurance policy.

Capacity Assessment
A determination by a capacity assessor, or the court, as to a person’s ability to manage property, make personal care decisions, or to properly retain and instruct counsel.

Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee With a Will
A legal document issued by a Superior Court of Justice confirming that the Will filed with the court is the last Will of the deceased and that the person named as estate trustee in the Will has authority to administer the estate of the deceased person. (Commonly referred to as “letters probate” or “probate”.)

Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee Without a Will
Where a person has died without a Will, it is a legal document issued by a court authorizing a person to administer the estate of the deceased person. (Commonly referred to as “letters of administration” or “administration”.)

Common Law
A term that describes a relationship where two people live together as spouses but are not married.

Complaint
The expression of dissatisfaction relating to the operation of a long-term care (LTC) home. A complaint may include one concern or a number of different concerns. Complaints are followed-up by Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care inspectors who investigate each concern reported in the complaint. Each concern in a complaint may or may not be verified. Verified complaints may result in an unmet standard/criterion or citation issued against the LTC home operator.

Consent
Agreement or permission that is given voluntarily by a competent person, either orally or in writing.

Sometimes refers to the written form of an agreement.

Contract
An oral or written agreement between parties in which the parties make mutual promises to each other. The parties must be at least 18 years of age, and be mentally capable of entering into such an agreement.

Co-operative (or co-op) Housing
Co-operative (or co-op) housing is owned and managed by the people who live there. About half the homes are “rent-geared-to-income,” with rents for the other half set at local market rents.

Dependent
A person who relies on another for support. A person whom another has an obligation to support.

Division of Property
In family law cases, the division of assets and liabilities between parties after separation or death. For married parties, property is divided by equalizing the net family property of the parties.

Estate
The property that a person owns or has a legal interest in. Often used to describe the property after the person’s death.

Family Council
An autonomous (self-led and self-determining) group of families and friends of residents that meets on a regular basis with an emphasis on mutual support and advocacy. This group provides a voice in decisions that affect their loved ones and strives to develop a better understanding between families and management/staff of a long-term care home. Sometimes this group is known by other terms such as family advisory committee.

Fees
A charge for services. Court fees payable in various proceedings as set out by regulation.

First Nation(s)
A term that came into common usage in the 1970s to replace the word “Indian.” It has also been adopted by some First Nation communities to replace the term “band.”

Formulary
A formulary is a list of drugs that are covered as benefits. Each drug plan determines its own list. The Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative Drug Index defines the benefits provided for eligible recipients of the Ontario Drug Benefit program. The Formulary is developed in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s external expert drug advisory committee, the Committee to Evaluate Drugs. For many years, the Formulary has set the provincial standard for price, quality and interchangeability of drug products. For example, it serves as a guide to:

• practitioners and pharmacists regarding drug products that are eligible for coverage under the Ontario Drug Benefit program
  
• professional committees in hospitals and institutions as they select drug products
  
• drug product interchangeability
  
• comparative pricing guide for drug products

Influenza
Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Common symptoms include: fever, headache, aches and pains, fatigue and weakness, extreme exhaustion, stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, chest discomfort and cough (and nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in children).

Inspection
An official examination or review by inspectors to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to determine compliance with the long-term care plan program standard and policies, and applicable legislation and regulations. Ministry inspectors inspect each LTC home at least once every year. There are different types of inspections: pre-occupancy and post-occupancy for new homes, annual inspections for all homes, and other follow-up inspections such as complaint or special inspections as needed.

Interest Rate
The percentage that a person owing money must pay to a creditor or recipient for the period that the money owed is outstanding.

Intestate
Dying without having made a valid Will.

Licensed / Approved beds
The total number of beds within a long-term care home that have either been licensed or approved by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Nursing homes have licensed beds. Charitable and Municipal homes have approved beds.

Long-Term Care Home
A long-term care (LTC) home provides care and services for people who no longer are able to live independently or who require onsite nursing care, 24-hour supervision or personal support. Nursing homes under the Nursing Homes Act, approved charitable homes for the aged under the Charitable Institutions Act and homes under the
Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act are all LTC homes.

Multiple-source or generic drug
A multiple-source or generic drug is identical, or bioequivalent, to a “brand name” drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use.

Non-Profit Housing
Non Profit Housing is rental housing built and managed by a community group, such as a faith group, labour union, or ethnic group. About 2/3 of the homes are “rent-geared-to-income.”

Power of Attorney
Document that authorizes a person to make on the grantor’s behalf, decisions concerning the grantor’s property and personal care issues. Restrictions on the Attorney’s powers, if any, should be contained in the written document itself.

Property
Anything over which the rights of possession, use, and enjoyment are exercised.

Public Guardian and Trustee (Office of the)
A part of the Ministry of Attorney General that delivers services that safeguard the legal, personal and financial interests of mentally incapable adults. The office may be appointed to administer estates where there is no will, heirs or executor. The office also plays a role in protecting the public interest in charitable property.

Public Housing
Public Housing refers to houses or apartments built and managed by a government housing authority or corporation. Almost all families and seniors who live in public housing pay rent-geared-to-income — or about 30 per cent of their total household income on rent. Often public housing buildings are older than other types of subsidized housing.

Rent Supplement
Rent Supplement units are owned by private landlords, who receive a government subsidy to lower the rents of some apartments.

Residents’ Council
An independent, self-determining group made up of residents in a long-term care (LTC) home. All residents are entitled to be members. The Residents’ Council may have an Executive. It meets regularly to receive and discuss residents’ concerns, to plan activities, and to have a voice in their home’s decisions and routines that affect their daily lives. A friend or family member who is the substitute decision maker for a resident may represent that resident in the Council. If a Residents’ Council does not exist in a LTC home, the Administrator must inform all residents once a year of their right to form a Council. The LTC home is required to support the Residents’ Council if at least three residents wish to form one.

Retirement Homes
Retirement homes are privately owned rental accommodations for seniors who are able to manage and pay for their own care. Generally, retirement homes are designed for seniors who need minimal to moderate support with their daily living activities. These settings enable residents to live as independently as possible, while providing certain services and social activities. Retirement homes are also called “retirement residences”.

Spouse
A person who lives with another person in a conjugal relationship, either inside or outside marriage. The length of time required to qualify as a spouse in situations outside of marriage is different under different statutes.

Substitute Decision Maker
The person that has the legal authority to make decisions relating to personal care issues and/or property matters on behalf of an individual who is not capable of making and understanding the consequences of his or her decisions.

Support
Monetary assistance that a person provides for his or her dependent(s).

Tax
Tax is defined as a compulsory contribution levied on persons, property, or businesses for the support of government for economic and social operations. In other words, it is money paid to a government to fund its programs and services.

Testate
Dying having made a Will.

Trust
Legal rights that apply where one person holds and deals with property on behalf of or for the benefit of another person.

Trustee
A person who holds and manages assets in trust for someone else.

Will
Directions made in legal form where a person instructs how his or her estate should be administered and distributed after death. It takes effect upon a person’s death.