Here are some tips that you should keep in mind while you are looking for a home to provide care for a loved one

Administration

1. Do staff members show Residents genuine interest and affection?
2. Do Residents look well cared for and generally content?
3. Are Residents appropriately dressed, can they decorate their rooms and keep a few prized possessions on hand?
4. Is there a written statement of Residents' rights? Is this statement displayed where it can be seen?

General Physical Considerations

Comfort

1. Is the nursing home clean and orderly?
2. Are toilet and bathing facilities easy for handicapped Residents to use?
3. Is the home well lighted?
4. Is the home reasonably free of unpleasant odours?
5. Are rooms well ventilated and kept at a comfortable temperature?

Safety

1. Are there wheelchair ramps where necessary?
2. Are there grab bars in toilet and bathing facilities?
3. Are there handrails on both sides of the hallways?
4. Are there regular fire drills, fire extinguishers, automatic emergency lighting?
5. Are exit doors unobstructed and unlocked from inside and easily accessible?
6. Are emergency evacuation plans posted in prominent locations?
7. Are there smoke detectors and fire alarms on every floor?
8. Is there a fire station near the home?

Nursing, Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical Services

1. In case of medical emergencies, is a physician available at all times, either on staff or on call?
2. Does the home have an arrangement with dental service, optician, podiatrist to provide Residents with care?
3. Is at least one registered nurse (RN) on duty 24 hours a day?
4. Are nurse call buttons located at each Resident's bed and in toilet and bathing facilities?

Food Services

1. Is the kitchen and dining area clean and reasonably tidy?
2. Are at least three meals served each day plus snacks?
3. Are residents' diets monitored by a Registered Dietitian?
4. Are special meals prepared for Residents on therapeutic or other diets?
5. Do Residents who need help receive it, whether in the dining room or in their own rooms?

Rehabilitation Therapy, Social Service, and Resident Activities

1. Is there a full-time program of physical therapy for Residents who need it?
2. Are there special services available to aid Residents and their families?
3. Does the nursing home have a varied program of recreational, cultural, and intellectual activities for Residents?
4. Are activities offered for Residents who are relatively inactive or confined to their rooms?

Resident's Rooms

1. Is a married couple allowed to share a room if they wish?
2. Do all rooms have a window to the outside?
3. Is there a curtain or screen available to provide privacy for each bed whenever necessary?
4. Does each Resident have a reading light, a comfortable chair, and a closet and chest of drawers for personal belongings?

Residents Bill of Rights

Every licensee of a long-term care home shall ensure that the following rights of residents are fully respected and promoted:

1. Every resident has the right to be treated with courtesy and respect and in a way that fully recognizes the resident’s individuality and respects the resident’s dignity.
2. Every resident has the right to be protected from abuse.
3. Every resident has the right not to be neglected by the licensee or staff.
4. Every resident has the right to be properly sheltered, fed, clothed, groomed and cared for in a manner consistent with his or her needs.
5. Every resident has the right to live in a safe and clean environment.
6. Every resident has the right to exercise the rights of a citizen.
7. Every resident has the right to be told who is responsible for and who is providing the resident’s direct care.
8. Every resident has the right to be afforded privacy in treatment and in caring for his or her personal needs.
9. Every resident has the right to have his or her participation in decision-making respected.
10. Every resident has the right to keep and display personal possessions, pictures and furnishings in his or her room subject to safety requirements and the rights of other residents.
11. Every resident has the right to,
    • Participate fully in the development, implementation, review and revision of his or her plan of care,’
    • Give or refuse consent to any treatment, are or services for which his or her consent is required by law and to be informed of the consequences of giving or refusing consent,
    • Participate fully in making any decision concerning any aspect of his or her care, including any decision concerning his or her admission, discharge or transfer to or from a long-term care home or a secure unit and to obtain an independent opinion with regard to any of those matter, and
    • Have his or her personal health information within the meaning of the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 kept confidential in accordance with that Act, and to have access to his or her records of personal health information, including his or her plan of care, in accordance with that Act.
12. Every resident has the right to receive care and assistance towards independence based on a restorative care philosophy to maximize independence to the greatest extent possible.
13. Every resident has the right not to be restrained, except in the limited circumstances provided for under this Act and subject to the requirements provided for under this Act.
14. Every resident has the right to communicate in confidence, receive visitors of his or her choice and consult in private with any person without interference.
15. Every resident who is dying or who is very ill has the right to have family and friends present 24 hours per day.
16. Every resident has the right to designate a person to receive information concerning any transfer or any hospitalization of the resident and to have that person receive that information immediately.
17. Every resident has the right to raise concerns or recommend changes in policies and services on behalf of himself or herself or others to the following persons and organization without interference and without fear of coercion, discrimination or reprisal, whether directed at the resident or anyone else,
    • The Resident’s Council,
    • The Family Council,
    • The licensee, and, if the licensee is a corporation, the directors and officers of the corporation, and, in the case of a home approved under Part VIII, a member of the committee of management for the home under section 132 or of the board of management for the home under section 125 or 129,
    • Staff members,
    • Government officials,
    • Any other person inside or outside the long-term care home.
18. Every resident has the right to form friendships and relationships and to participate in the life of the long-term care home.
19. Every resident has the right to have his or her lifestyle and choices respected.
20. Every resident has the right to participate in the Resident’s Council.
21. Every resident has the right to meet privately with his or her spouse or another person in a room that assures privacy.
22. Every resident has the right to share a room with another resident according to their mutual wishes, if appropriate accommodation is available.
23. Every resident has the right to pursue social, cultural, religious, spiritual and other interests, to develop his or her potential and to be given reasonable assistance by the licensee to pursue these interests and to develop his or her potential.
24. Every resident has the right to be informed in writing of any law, rule or policy affecting services provided to the resident and of the procedures for initiating complaints.
25. Every resident has the right to manage his or her own financial affairs unless the resident lacks the legal capacity to do so.
26. Every resident has the right to be given access to protected outdoor areas in order to enjoy outdoor activity unless the physical setting makes this impossible.
27. Every resident has the right to have any friend, family member, or other person of importance to the resident attend any meeting with the licensee or the staff of the home. 2007, c.8, s.3(1).

Recognition and Promotion of Residents' Rights

Anniversary and Birthday Parties and Special Events

Recognizing Community Volunteers

Local and National Charity Involvement

Tours of Clarion Nursing Home by Appointment

Mission Statement

Resident Bill of Rights

Updated Visitor Policy

Continuous Quality Improvement Initiative