Reporting Harm

The place to turn for help

Anyone who sees or suspects a situation that harms or puts a resident at risk of harm must report it to the RHRA. This is known as a Mandatory Report.  Family members, substitute decision makers, retirement home staff and operators all have the same responsibility to help protect the resident. Regulated health professionals such as doctors, nurses and social workers are also obligated to report harm or risk of harm to a resident, such as:

  • abuse or neglect of a resident; improper or incompetent treatment or care of a resident;
  • unlawful conduct;
  • misuse or misappropriation of a resident’s money.

If you see or suspect a retirement home resident is being harmed or is at risk, please submit a mandatory report via webform, call 1‐855‐275‐7472, or use this form.

For guidance submitting a mandatory report via the RHRA Self-Service Portal please review our How to Make a Mandatory Report Video Guide.

In order for RHRA to properly follow up on a report of harm, we need as much detail as possible. Please include:

  • the name of the home
  • a description of what happened
  • when and where it happened (i.e., inside or outside the home)
  • who was involved

Can reports be made anonymously?

Yes, reports about harm can be made anonymously. There is no requirement to provide your name or contact details when reporting harm or a risk of harm.

If you choose to provide your name and telephone number, RHRA staff will follow up with you in the event more information is required.

If an inspection is conducted, a copy of the draft inspection report is provided to the retirement home, and the operator has up to 10 business days to respond to the findings.

The final inspection report, which does not contain confidential information, is posted on the RHRA’s Retirement Home Database and in the retirement home.

I am looking for...

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A retirement home

There are more than 700 licensed retirement homes in Ontario. Let us help you find the one that’s right for you.


Status of home

Search the Retirement Home Database for a complete history of a retirement home's compliance with the Act.

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Types of homes

If you've never lived in a retirement home or haven’t needed long-term care, you may not be aware of the difference between the two. Here is what you need to know.

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I'm not sure how to get started

Here, we’ll provide tools to help support your research.

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Steps to getting a licence

Get started on the licensing process and find out what you will need to submit an application.


Guidelines

As of July 1, 2012, homes that meet the definition of “retirement home” in the Act must have a licence from the RHRA to operate.

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Process

To assist you with the application process, the RHRA has put together an Applicant Guide. The Guide introduces you to the forms, supporting documents and fees that must be submitted.

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Fees

Review the 2018 Fee Schedule before submitting your application.

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Complaints & reporting harm

Reporting harm is a shared duty. Certain situations involving harm or risk of harm to any resident must be reported immediately by law. Here’s how to report harm or potential harm.


How to File a Report

Find out what constitutes harm and what you need to do if you see or suspect harm.

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RHRA Process

Find out what happens after the report has been made.

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Mandatory Reporting

What must you report and why.

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More information about RHRA

Understand our role, what we stand for and how we enforce ‘the Act’.


How we help

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Our Vision, Mission and Values

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Understanding the Legislature

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A retirement home

A retirement home 1

There are over 700 licensed retirement homes in Ontario. Let us help you find the one that’s right for you.


#ICON

Status of home

Search the Retirement Home Database for a complete history of a retirement home's compliance with the Act.

Read More
#ICON

Types of homes

If you've never lived in a retirement home or haven’t needed long-term care, you may not be aware of the difference between the two. Here is what you need to know.

Read More
#ICON

I’m not sure how to start

Here, we’ll provide tools to help support your research.

Read More

A retirement home 1

There are over 700 licensed retirement homes in Ontario. Let us help you find the one that’s right for you.


#ICON

Status of home

Search the Retirement Home Database for a complete history of a retirement home's compliance with the Act.

Read More
#ICON

Types of homes

If you've never lived in a retirement home or haven’t needed long-term care, you may not be aware of the difference between the two. Here is what you need to know.

Read More
#ICON

I’m not sure how to start

Here, we’ll provide tools to help support your research.

Read More

A retirement home 1

There are over 700 licensed retirement homes in Ontario. Let us help you find the one that’s right for you.


#ICON

Status of home

Search the Retirement Home Database for a complete history of a retirement home's compliance with the Act.

Read More
#ICON

Types of homes

If you've never lived in a retirement home or haven’t needed long-term care, you may not be aware of the difference between the two. Here is what you need to know.

Read More
#ICON

I’m not sure how to start

Here, we’ll provide tools to help support your research.

Read More

A retirement home 1

There are over 700 licensed retirement homes in Ontario. Let us help you find the one that’s right for you.


#ICON

Status of home

Search the Retirement Home Database for a complete history of a retirement home's compliance with the Act.

Read More
#ICON

Types of homes

If you've never lived in a retirement home or haven’t needed long-term care, you may not be aware of the difference between the two. Here is what you need to know.

Read More
#ICON

I’m not sure how to start

Here, we’ll provide tools to help support your research.

Read More
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