Staffing in Ontario’s Long-Term Care Homes: Differences by Profit Status and Chain Ownership

What is it about?

This study examined the staffing levels (i.e., hours of care provided) in nursing homes in Ontario, Canada, over a 15-year period. Using longitudinal data (1996–2011) from the Residential Care Facilities Survey (n = 627), our analysis found differences in staffing levels by profit status and chain affiliation. We found for-profit nursing homes – especially those owned by a chain organization – provided significantly fewer hours of care, after adjusting for variation in the residents’ care needs.

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Why is it important?

Findings from this study offer new information on the impact of organizational structure on staffing levels in Ontario’s nursing homes and have implications for other jurisdictions where a growing presence of private, chain-affiliated operators has been observed.