Long-term care homes

Respiratory illness season information

Help prevent the spread of illness by following these guidelines:

  • Visitors to long-term care and assisted living facilities are encouraged to wear a medical mask over their nose and mouth based on personal choice UNLESS directed to by a health care worker OR when visiting a resident on precautions for respiratory illness.
  • Stay up to date on your influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Do not visit if you are feeling unwell (for example, have a fever, cold, or flu) or have been near someone else who is ill.
  • Wash your hands or use available alcohol-based liquid/foam hand sanitizers before, during, and after visiting with your loved ones. If your hands are visibly soiled, please wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Follow proper respiratory etiquette, such as covering coughs with an elbow or sleeve and properly disposing of tissues.
  • Respect personal space of all other patients, residents, and visitors.
  • There are currently no limitations on the number of visitors; however, please be aware the number of visitors for individual rooms or indoor events may be limited at times to support operational requirements.

We appreciate your support as we continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our patients, residents and staff.

Long-term care homes provide 24-hour professional care and supervision in a protective, supportive environment for people who have complex care needs and can no longer be cared for in their own homes.

The Residents’ Bill of Rights serves as the foundation for all aspects of our care and operations. Northern Health and each of our staff members are committed to protecting individuals’ rights. As a team, we recognize that every resident is entitled to individualized, quality person-centered care.

All Northern Health owned and operated care homes provide:

  • Standard accommodation
  • Meals
  • Medication assistance
  • Free prescription medication if covered by Pharmacare/PlanB
  • Help with daily activities (such as bathing, dressing or grooming)
  • Planned programs for social and recreational activities
  • 24-hour care from nurses, personal care assistants and other supports
  • Routine laundry services (e.g., bed linens, towels, clothing)
  • General hygiene and medical supplies (e.g., oral care products, incontinence supplies)
  • Basic wheelchairs including basic cleaning and maintenance
  • End-of-life and palliative care services including assessment and provision of MaiD services (Medical Assistance in Dying)
  • Client centered care planning that involve the client/substitute decision maker and family

Deciding to move into a long-term care home

When health care needs become more complex, a person can move to a care home that provides a higher level of care than is possible to provide at home. Home health professionals are responsible for helping to determine whether it’s the right time to move to a long-term care home. This decision is supported by a comprehensive assessment and exploration of all care options. For more information contact your local Home Health/Community Services Office.

Choosing the right care home

If moving into a care home is the best choice, the individual can choose up to three preferred homes, anywhere in the province, as long as those homes can meet their needs.

To find out specific information on a particular care home see our long-term care home locations. An offer of an interim care home may happen while waiting for your preferred care home. A home health professional will explain the options to help the individual make their decision.

Northern Health long-term care homes strives to adhere to a person and family centred care model. It is a partnership between the person we serve in health care system, their family and their care providers. DementiAbility is a program that embodies these qualities. NH has developed a learning module to educate community members on how these person and family centred care principles are applied to a person with dementia.

You will need to sign up first for a free public learning hub account before you can take the DementiAbility Learning Module.

Costs

The cost for the long-term care home services are all included in the income based monthly charge, determined at the time of wait listing, and reviewed annually. The monthly cost for publicly subsidized long-term care is based on 80% of after tax income, with set minimum and maximum rates. The rate schedule is determined by the province. There are some services that may have an additional charge.

Short term stay options

Long-term care homes also offer short term stays to provide a period of rest or relief to primary caregivers, or to provide specialized services not readily provided in the home. An individual must have a referral from the family doctor or nurse practitioner, and an assessment by a Community Services professional, to access these services. Short-term stays in long-term care homes are generally for respite care, convalescent care or hospice or palliative care.

Resident handbook

For more information