ReverseMortgageWhitby.ca explains long term care in Whitby for homeowners and their families, using the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care’s listings and the 2026 co-payment rates. It also covers what a move into care means for a Whitby home with a reverse mortgage.
Which long-term care homes are in Whitby?
Whitby has three long-term care homes: Fairview Lodge, The Village of Taunton Mills and Glen Hill Terrace. Together they have 478 beds. Fairview Lodge is run by Durham Region, Glen Hill Terrace is not-for-profit, and The Village of Taunton Mills is run by a for-profit company. All three had long waiting lists in mid-2026.
| Home | Address | Beds | Waiting list, June 30, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairview Lodge (Durham Region) | 632 Dundas St W | 198 | 2,363 |
| The Village of Taunton Mills | 3800 Brock St N | 120 | 1,830 |
| Glen Hill Terrace | 80 Glen Hill Dr | 160 | 1,064 |
Sources: Ministry listings for Fairview Lodge, The Village of Taunton Mills and Glen Hill Terrace.
People can be on more than one home’s list, so the three numbers can’t be added up to count people. The ministry notes that waits vary widely and change often. Fairview Lodge is one of four homes run by Durham Region (Durham Region).
How do you apply for long-term care in Whitby?
You apply for long-term care in Whitby through Ontario Health atHome, the provincial agency that handles applications for every long-term care home in Ontario. You don’t apply to the home directly. The provincial phone line is 1-833-515-1234, and details are at ontariohealthathome.ca.
Ontario Health atHome (ontariohealthathome.ca) also arranges publicly funded home care.
What does long-term care cost in Whitby in 2026?
From July 1, 2026, a basic long-term care room costs $70.00 a day, or $2,129.17 a month. Semi-private and private rooms cost more. The province sets the maximum rates, so no Ontario home can charge more. People with low incomes can apply for a reduced basic rate.
| Kind of room (rates from July 1, 2026) | Daily | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $70.00 | $2,129.17 |
| Semi-private | $84.40 | $2,567.17 |
| Private | $100.01 | $3,041.97 |
The semi-private and private rates apply to newer beds for residents admitted on or after July 1, 2015. Older beds and earlier admissions pay lower rates (Ministry of Long-Term Care bulletin).
A rate reduction is available for basic rooms if your net income is about $27,338 or less. You reapply each year with your latest Notice of Assessment (Ontario).
What happens to your house and reverse mortgage if you move into care?
If your spouse is also a borrower and stays in the home, nothing changes when you move into care. If the last borrower moves permanently into long-term care, the reverse mortgage comes due. From then, families commonly have up to a year to either sell the Whitby home or pay back what is owed. A stay in hospital that is only temporary doesn’t make it due.
When one spouse moves into care
A reverse mortgage stays in place for as long as one borrower still lives in the home. Your spouse can go on living in the Whitby home with no required monthly mortgage payments, as long as the property tax, home insurance and upkeep are looked after.
When the last borrower moves into care
The family decides whether to sell the home or repay the balance from other money. The lender never owns the home, and the family keeps everything above the balance owed. Interest keeps adding to the balance until it’s repaid.
Some lenders reduce or waive the prepayment charge when the move is to long-term care (reversemortgagebroker.ca). You can never owe more than the home is worth (its fair market value) when the mortgage comes due, as long as property taxes, insurance and upkeep were kept up.
A hospital or rehab stay is different
A temporary stay in hospital, rehab or convalescent care doesn’t make the reverse mortgage due. The home is still your home while you recover.
Can a reverse mortgage pay for more help at home while you wait?
Yes. Some Whitby homeowners use a reverse mortgage to pay for private home care, a companion or cleaning help while they wait for a long-term care bed. The money can come as a lump sum or as monthly deposits. There are no required monthly mortgage payments, so none of the money goes to a mortgage payment.
The page on paying for home care in Whitby explains the options in more detail. Changes to the house itself, such as grab bars or a main-floor bathroom, are covered in accessible home renovations in Whitby.
Because reverse mortgage money is a loan rather than income, it isn’t taxed. Your Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement stay the same. It also doesn’t count in the income test for a reduced long-term care rate.
Richard Hopkins, Mortgage Broker, compares every reverse mortgage lender in Canada and also sets up home equity lines of credit, refinances and regular mortgages. Once those are weighed too, you get a recommendation based on your situation, even if it’s not a reverse mortgage. Sons and daughters can be copied on every email.
What should Whitby families sort out early?
A continuing power of attorney for property is the most important step to sort out early. It must be made while the homeowner is mentally capable. If a lender accepts its wording, the attorney can sign mortgage papers later on the homeowner’s behalf. Without one, a family member may need a court appointment to act.
Your property tax and home value also matter when planning. The guide to Whitby property tax for seniors lists the rebates you may qualify for, and the Whitby reverse mortgage calculator gives a first figure for your home. The printable checklist helps you gather documents before you start.
What this means for you
Whitby's three long-term care homes have long waiting lists, so many families need to pay for extra help at home in the meantime. A reverse mortgage can provide that money without monthly mortgage payments, and a spouse who is also a borrower keeps living in the home. Planning early, including a power of attorney, keeps your choices open.
To see the figures for your own home, get your free Whitby estimate. There's no cost and no sales pressure.