INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES
Our facility hosts its 111 residents on five wings, Young Park, Burden Lane, Blenkhorne Centre, Snow Haven and Wallace Place. The Wallace Place and Snow Haven wings specialize in dementia care and house a total of 36 residents. The other three wings are home to 25 residents. Each wing has a mixture of private and double rooms.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding admission to Dykeland Lodge,
please feel free to contact us at info@dykelandlodge.ca.
PRE-ADMISSION
All admissions to nursing homes in Nova Scotia are facilitated through the Department of Health and Wellness Single Entry Access. To begin the process, please contact the Single Entry Access at 1-800-225-7225.
A Care Coordinator will visit an individual’s home and conduct a full assessment which will be used to determine the supports he/she needs. The waiting lists for Long Term Care facilities are managed by the Department of Health and Wellness and can be viewed at https://waittimes.novascotia.ca/
Information on the cost of entering a long term care home can be obtained from the Department of Health (https://novascotia.ca/dhw/ccs/long-term-care.asp).
WHAT TO EXPECT ON ADMISSION DAY
The move to long term care is a difficult one, both for the resident and his/her family members. We are here to assist with the move and help everyone become comfortable with the home and our staff.
Upon arrival at the home, our receptionist will greet the resident and introduce him/her to our care team. He/she will be shown his/her room and a tour and information about the home will be provided. The care team will meet with the resident to learn more about the individual and his/her needs. To help us gather this information we ask that a family member come with the resident at the time of admission.
The Resident and the substitute decision maker will be asked to complete an advanced care directive that indicates a resident’s wish for care in the event their health status changes. This directive can be changed at any time and will be reviewed annually at our resident care conference.
The resident and/or his/her Power Of Attorney will meet with the administration staff to discuss any additional services needed and complete the financial arrangements
PREPARATION
A. Furniture and Personal Belongings
All residents’ rooms are furnished by the home. However, residents are welcome to bring in some personal belongings. While we wish to create a warm, comfortable home like environment, please take into consideration that space in residents’ rooms is limited and excessive clutter from furniture or other belongings can create safety issues for the resident.
Please feel free to seek guidance from staff on appropriate furnishings.
Refrigerators, kettles, toasters and microwave ovens are available for resident/family use in the kitchenette area on units.
For safety reasons, all electrical appliances must be inspected by our Maintenance Staff prior to being used in the home. Due to fire regulations, no appliances are permitted in rooms and all electrical furniture/equipment must have a CSA approval label.
B. Legal Representatives
Planning for the future is important. If the individual has not already done so, he/she should think about who he/she would want to make decisions for him/her if he/she was not capable (temporarily or permanently) to make them. Dykeland Lodge encourages individuals to think about preparing the following prior to admission:
- A Personal Directive that allows the individual to set out how personal care decisions, including health care decisions, are to be made for him/her when he/she are not mentally capable of making those decisions. It is only in effect when the individual is alive and mentally incapable of speaking for himself. Upon admission, all residents will be asked to designate a substitute decision maker under the Personal Directive Act if they have not already done so. This may or may not be the next of kin.
- An Enduring Power of Attorney that allows the individual to appoint someone to look after his/her money, property and financial affairs when he/she is not mentally capable of making financial and property decisions, or if he/she wishes them to assist with your financial affairs when he/she is still capable. Legal services is required for the preparation of this document and a person must be competent at the time of preparation.
During the resident’s stay at Dykeland Lodge, matters will only be discussed with the resident’s substitute decision maker or POA, depending on the nature of the matter. It is the responsibility of this representative to share the information with other family members in accordance with the resident’s wishes.
3. Funeral Arrangements
Dykeland Lodge encourages families and residents to contact the funeral home of choice and make preliminary arrangements prior to admission.
During the resident’s stay at Dykeland Lodge, matters will only be discussed with resident’s substitute decision maker or POA. It is their responsibility to share information with other family members in accordance with the resident’s wishe.
SETTLING INTO YOUR NEW HOME
Residents are assigned to a room based on availability at the time of admission. We have a waiting list for our private rooms so if it is felt that the resident would benefit from a private room, we encourage the resident/substitute decision maker to see the receptionist to have their name placed on the list.
Due to changes in care requirements, it may be necessary to change room or wing assignments during one’s stay at the home however we make every effort to minimize moves.
Common Areas:
Each wing has a lounge/kitchenette area with a television and fireplace that can be used by residents and their families/friends. We have a solarium that is great for large programs as well as a common living room where residents gather to talk or watch television. We also have a family room if a small private area is needed to celebrate a special occasion or just talk.
ROLE OF THE FAMILY
Dykeland Lodge has embraced a resident-focused philosophy of care where residents and/or their substitute decision makers take the lead in making health care, right to risk and quality of life decisions in defining how they wish to live while here at Dykeland Lodge. Family members are encouraged to be involved in the residents care by playing an active role in the development of care plans, Assisting staff with care, participating in activities or advocating on behalf of the family member. Families are also encouraged to accompany the resident to external appointments and social events in the community.
Family and resident input:
Residents and their families are encouraged to be active members of our care team so it is important for them to have regular opportunities to discuss with management issues related to resident wellbeing as well as the safety and security of the home..The home has both a resident and family council that meets regularly. The councils are independent, organized groups who meet to provide input, discuss services and offer suggestions. We also have quarterly food committee meetings where menus and food services are discussed. Notices of these meetings are posted as well as included on the monthly recreation calendar. All residents and family members are encouraged to participate.
Upon admission, residents and their legal representatives will receive information about who they should speak to if they have questions, or feedback on our services.
VISITING
Visits are welcome. All doors to our home are open between the hours of 8 am and 9 pm however please be mindful of the needs of the resident and any other resident in the room. Should the need arise to visit outside of these hours, please ring the doorbell located at the main entrance of the building.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
We post notices, including our recreation calendar and menu, at various locations within the home. Our website (www.dykelandlodge.ca) contains such things as the current recreation calendar, news, and email address for management team members. We attempt to keep it up to date on activities/notices. We also, from time to time, mail notices to resident’s legal representatives. Legal representatives are asked to leave their email address with us so that such notices can be sent via email. We encourage these representatives to share such notices with other family members as unfortunately we can only send them to the legal representatives.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES PROVIDED
A number of extra services are available to residents for a reasonable fee. The resident or his/her legal representatives are responsible for the l fee.
Telephone/cable
All of our rooms are equipped with cable and telephone jacks. Telephone service is available through the home including long distance packages. Residents must supply their own television.
Computers and wifi
The home has a laptop available on each wing for resident use. Feel free to use this laptop to help the resident connect with members of their family/friends that live away. Residents are welcome to bring in their own electronic devices. Please note however that the home is not responsible for the devices should they get broken or lost. We also have a guest network that can be used by family members while at the home. The password for the guest network is posted in the reception area.
Hairdresser/advanced foot care
As described later, these services are available within the home however a resident/ legal representative can choose to access these services in the community. Legal representatives are expected to organize these appointments and the transportation to these appointments and to make nursing department staff aware of any appointments.
RESOURCES
A GUIDE TO MOVING INTO LONG-TERM CARE IN NOVA SCOTIA
We will guide you through the long-term care application process and help you identify the best path to meet your needs. Long-term care helps people whose care needs can no longer be met at home. Long-term care provides accommodation, help with personal care, supervisory care and nursing services. Last updated January 23, 2023 We understand that it can be stressful and confusing when you or a family member move into long-term care. This guide will help you and your family get ready for the transition. If you have any questions or concerns please contact your Nova Scotia Health care coordinator or call us (toll-free) at 1-800-225-7225.
We will guide you through the long-term care application process and help you identify the best path to meet your needs. Long-term care helps people whose care needs can no longer be met at home. Long-term care provides accommodation, help with personal care, supervisory care and nursing services. CLICK HERE
Last updated January 23, 2023
CAREGIVERS NOVA SCOTIA
At Caregivers Nova Scotia, we’re focused on empowering caregivers, supporting their efforts, and recognizing the invaluable contribution they make both to those in need and to society in general. We do this through programs, support groups, advocacy, and services all geared toward the unique needs of friends and family giving care. We are here to help in every way we can. Whether you require some information, would like to talk to someone on the phone, or attend one of our peer support groups, please contact us and we’ll be there for you. Caregivers Nova Scotia is not a home care provider. We are not able to offer counselling services, or legal, financial, or medical advice, but we will refer you to organizations that do. If you require some information, would like to talk to someone on the phone, or attend one of our peer support groups, please contact us and we’ll be here for you. CLICK HERE
