Ontario Retirement Communities Association

	Accreditation Program Overview
	Standards for ORCA Membership/Become ORCA Accredited
	Code of Ethics
	Complaint Procedure
	Residential Tenancies Act

Moving Towards a Standard of Excellence

ORCA membership is contingent on successfully meeting criteria established by the Accreditation Program of the Ontario Retirement Communities Association.

Based on independent evaluation, the Association recognizes the efforts of individual members in achieving or exceeding the standards of excellence as set out by the Board of Directors.

All retirement residences successfully meeting Association Standards are approved members and can proudly display the Association Logo on all promotional material. When visiting a retirement residence, look for current ORCA certificates:

Membership Certificate
Code Of Ethics
Complaints Procedures Plaque

This membership Stamp of Approval ensures that the residence meets the highest professional industry standards in the province.

The components of the evaluation involve:

1) Delivery of services and program with special consideration for resident rights and quality of life;

2) Quality, comfort and safety of the physical environment; and

3) Quality as measured by resident satisfaction.

Background on the Standards Evaluation Program

ORCA's Accreditation Program was introduced in 1995. A retirement residence is required to meet the Association's Accreditation in order to become an ORCA member. Upon application to the Association, the retirement residence is considered an "applicant".

"Applicants" are provided with the following material to assist with preparing for evaluation:

Comprehensive Operations Manual
Accreditation Guidelines
Assessment Instrument (document used by Surveyors)
Standards Policy and Procedure Manual
Code of Ethics

The retirement residence has six months to prepare for an on-site evaluation. Retirement residences under construction will be evaluated one year after opening. A retirement residence must successfully complete the evaluation in order to receive membership approval.

Trained surveyors conduct the on-site inspections. Survey results are graded by an independent third-party company. An "approved" retirement residence is re-surveyed in one, two or three years depending on its survey results. A retirement residences that fails a survey by not meeting the Association Accreditation is refused membership.

The following areas are reviewed under the Association's Accreditation Evaluation Guidelines:

Administration

Business and Policy Development

Resident Services

Resident Admissions, Transfers, Discharges
Resident and Family Orientation
Resident Care
Recreation
Food and Meal Services
Housekeeping
Laundry

Environment

Fire Plan and Drills
Disaster Plan
Safety and Security
Physical Plant and Maintenance
Quality Improvement

The Members of the Ontario Retirement Communities Association are committed to delivering the highest quality resident support and care in the province.