Miscellaneous
Absences from the Home
We encourage residents who can to go on outings with family and friends. We ask that the Charge Nurse on duty be notified prior to the resident leaving so that any medications that may be required while out can be prepared. A sign-in and sign-out procedure must also be followed when residents leave the Home.
Depending upon the length of time a resident has resided at the Home, one or more vacations of up to a total of twenty-one days within a calendar year may be taken without risk to the Ministry subsidy. Our policy requires that the resident's Attending Physician must authorize all absences, including those for leisure or vacation purposes.
Alcoholic Beverages
Many residents may wish to continue to enjoy periodic alcoholic beverages. The facility will attempt to meet this desire if the resident's Attending Physician approves it. Family is required to provide the alcohol to the Charge Nurse on duty so it can be safely stored and dispensed by the Registered Nursing Staff.
Call Bells
Each resident is provided with a call bell located at the head of their bed and another in the bathroom so that they can summon assistance from staff. When the call bell cord is pulled, the signal alerts the staff who will respond as quickly as possible.
Televisions
We have provided televisions in several of our lounges for the residents' use. Should a resident prefer to have a television of his/her own, one can be brought in for their bedroom. The size of a resident's personal television must not exceed a 20" screen. All televisions must be inspected by our Environmental Services Coordinator to ensure that it is CSA approved and meets safety standards before it is used. Cable can be installed if desired, but the resident or family member assumes the installation and financial responsibilities. The local cable service provider offers an introductory special for our residents and information will be provided at the time of admission to the Home.
Cordless headphones are required if a resident has a hearing impairment, if they wish to watch the television in their room later than 9:00 p.m., or if they are rooming with someone who is unwell.
Telephones
Should daily telephone calls be part of the resident's routine, we suggest the installation of a private line in his/her bedroom. You may contact Bell Canada directly to arrange for the installation. Again, the resident or family member assumes the installation and financial responsibilities.
Balloons
As a precautionary measure to reduce unnecessary latex exposure, latex balloons are banned from all areas of the Nursing Home. Mylar balloons are acceptable.
Skin Care
For those family members who wish to provide their resident with their own soap, we would like to suggest you purchase either "Dove or Johnson & Johnson Body Wash". We recommend these two soaps because they are both very mild and gentle and it has been scienfically proven that they have the proper ph balance to help protect fragile/at risk skin and to prevent skin problems from developing.
Arrangements for Private Caregivers
We request that if a resident or their substitute decision-maker decides to employ the assistance of a private caregiver, to provide care or companionship beyond that which is being provided by the nursing home, that the Director of Resident Care is informed before the services are engaged. A Third Party Health Care Agreement must be signed to ensure that families and private caregivers are aware of their responsibilities when providing care in our nursing home.
Receiving of Gifts
It is the policy of the Home that staff are prohibited from soliciting or accepting personal gifts from residents or their families. If residents or their families wish to show their appreciation to staff they are encouraged to consult with management of the Home to ensure that the token of appreciation is appropriate and fair.
Resident Mail
Mail is picked up and delivered to the Life Enrichment Office on a daily basis (except for holidays and weekends). Personal mail is delivered to residents by our staff so that they can assist the resident to open their mail and/or to read it to them if they require this assistance. If residents have a letter to be mailed, they can take it to the Life Enrichment Office located in the Lower Level of the building or request staff drop it off for them. Stamps are available for sale in the Business Office. Resident and families are encouraged to provide a small mailbox in the resident's closet, where mail can be dropped off. Families can then read mail to the resident when they visit regularly, which may be much more meaningful. The Life Enrichment Coordinator should be informed of new mailboxes, and will direct mail to the new location. The mail container should be compact and visible in the closet for easy access.
Residents' mail should be addressed as follows:
Resident's Name and Room Number
Fairvern Nursing Home
14 Mill Street
Huntsville, Ontario, P1H 2A4
Visitation
Guests are a very important part of a resident's life, and we encourage regular visits by relatives and friends. Accordingly, we practice an open hours visitation policy keeping in mind the comfort and routines of all residents. It is suggested that visitors who plan to visit after 9:00 PM call the Nursing Home and advise the Charge Nurse on duty of their plans as the doors are locked after this time, and you will have to ring the door bell for entrance into the Home.