Residential Care Facilities (Seniors)

Anyone who wants to provide 24-hour personal or supervisory care (but without professional nursing care) for 3 or more people (usually 65 years of age or older) who are ambulatory or semi-ambulatory, in any building or place or part of a building or place in Nova Scotia.

When home care does not meet the needs of a person and nursing home care is not required, a residential care facility may be the solution. Residential care facilities provide people with personal care, supervision and accommodation in a safe and supportive environment.

People living in residential care facilities must have the ability to self-evacuate in the event of an emergency.

Department of Health and Wellness

Homes for Special Care Act and Regulations can be obtained from the Department of Health and Wellness.

The proposal must be approved by the Minister of Health before proceeding.

There is a site visit as part of this process.

If all requirements are met and the application is approved, the licence will be sent to the applicant by mail.

The licensing of new beds is awarded through RFP process.

In accordance with RFP.

This licence is valid for up to 1 year covering the period as stated on the licence. It can be renewed and the renewal time is stated on the licence. The renewal process is started by the department, which will issue a new licence upon expiry of the old licence, if the facility continues to meet all requirements.

Free

Some or all of the following permits, licences or approvals may be required before this permit can be issued:

• Food Establishment Permit, Department of Environment and Climate Change
• Building Plans Approval, Department of Municipal Affairs, Office of the Fire Marshal and the Department of Health and Wellness
• Homes for Special Care: Approval and Licence, Department of Opportunities and Social Development
• Municipal zoning bylaws (if applicable)
• Water Treatment, Water Distribution, Wastewater Treatment, Wastewater Collection: Operator Certification, Department of Environment and Climate Change
• Water Approval, Water Allocation (Storage, Diversion or Withdrawal), Department of Environment and Climate Change
• Electrical Wiring Permit, Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration
• Elevator / Lift Licence (Initial or Renewal), Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration
• Cosmetology Licence of Nova Scotia
• Municipal building permit
• Municipal occupancy permit

The number of beds required in a region will influence whether a licence is granted.

A copy of the Homes for Special Care Act and Regulations provides outlines for the provision of information required by the Minister of Health and Wellness.

Some homes for special care fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Opportunities and Social Development, but nursing homes and residential care facilities (seniors) fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Wellness.

Homes for Special Care Act, Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1989, Chapter 203. Amended 2010