This zine explores life inside RCFs through the lived experiences of the people who call them home. It brings together insights from over 500 hours of observation across multiple RCFs, focusing on the daily life, challenges, and realities of residents. Most of the notes, reflections, and observations in this booklet come directly from time spent with residents, aiming to amplify their voices and perspectives. The zine will be distributed to members of the homes we visited, as our token of appreciation for offering their home for research and as a means to share what we learned.

The reflections and lessons learned from this work also informed a set of recommendations for improving RCFs and systems of support. These recommendations are:

1. Build a community-based integrated care and support hub

2. Standardize resident intake and assessment to improve placement and care planning

3. Strengthen staff support and development

4. Introduce tiered per diem funding based on resident need

5. Promote resident financial dignity and empowerment

6. Modernize Schedule 20 (licensing by-law) to reflect evolving resident needs