Bruce County’s long-term care homes are celebrating strong numbers in the level of care provided at the facilities.
Following strong numbers for metrics such as the number of falls at each home, pain management, and improved ability for residents to complete their activities of daily living without assistance have all improved at Gateway Haven. There was a reduction in instances of residents falling as well.
Clinical Support Manager Rebecca de Witte says that while there are positives, there is also room for further improvement to be better than the provincial averages.
“Gateway Haven demonstrates positive trends in falls and ADL, whereas areas like depression, pain, pressure ulcers, and use of restraints need focused quality improvement initiatives,” she says.
Meanwhile, at Brucelea Haven, there were improvements in ADLs, pain management, and instances of pressure ulcers among residents. They also recently gave a boost to staff training.
Says de Witte, “Brucelea Haven has emphasized enhancing their pain management and incontinence care programs. Key actions include a refresher training on pain management algorithms, providing staff with updated best practices.”
Both homes are operating within provincial guidelines and regulations of the Fixed Long-Term Care Act, and the homes also saw a slight uptick in provincial funding.
In May, the province’s Ministry of Long-Term Care announced an increase of 6.6%.
At then end of March, the province also gave a one-time funding boost that was the equivalent of $2,543 per bed. That one-time funding went toward facility updates including installing sprinkler systems and deferred maintenance projects within the homes.
Brucelea Haven administrator Megan Kussman says that they did not have any inspections at the home during Q2, but that they were currently undergoing one as part of a standardized, proactive inspection.