Services

YOUR HEALTH SERVICES

Care Plans & Case Conference

We will develop an initial care plan for you when you move in at your admissions meeting. We will document your personal information and medical history at that time, and we will determine your nursing care needs. Your individual care plan includes bath time and days, hearing needs, wound care, ostomy care, toileting care, foot care, and other needs related to your physical health.

Your care plan also documents your dietary likes, dislikes, and special dietary needs. We will also ask you what kinds of things you like to do so that our recreation department can plan events or outings you would enjoy. We will document your spiritual care needs and your involvement in other programs within the Personal Care Home.

Your care plan is kept at the nursing station for all staff to read and follow. Each year, we will invite you and your family to a Case Conference, where we will review your care plan and make changes to it if necessary. You and your family may also meet with staff to discuss or make adjustments to your care plan at any time.

Medical Services

The personal care home has a physician who regularly visits and provides 24-hour coverage. The physician consults with our nurses and pharmacists to ensure you receive the medical care you need. In the absence of the physician, another doctor will be assigned to the personal care home.

If you or your family have medical inquiries, please let nursing know.

We may be able to arrange a meeting with the doctor to review medications or address any other needs. You may share concerns with nursing staff, who will consult with the doctor and get back to you.

Nursing Care

The Pinaow Wachi Inc. provides nursing care on a 24-hour basis. The Nursing team comprises registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and health care aides. Under the direction of the Director of Nursing, they all work together to provide personal care, assist with daily activities, and provide medication.

If you have questions related to your nursing care at any time, please do not hesitate to ask a nurse. Your family is encouraged to participate in your care. Staff can help them learn ways to meet your needs while they are visiting.

End-of-Life Care (Palliative Care)

Palliative Care is any form of medical care or treatment that concentrates on reducing the severity of disease symptoms rather than striving to halt, delay, or reverse the progression of the disease itself or provide a cure. The goal is to prevent and relieve suffering and to improve the quality of life for people facing serious, complex illness.

Palliative care is provided when needed. Since many medical conditions can not be cured, the goal is to keep the patient comfortable.

Should you experience any sudden change in conditions, hospitalization, accident, or trauma, your primary contact person will be notified, and they will be responsible for notifying other family members.

The Importance of a Health Care Directive

Prior to being placed on our waiting list, you were given information on Healthcare Directives and a form that you must complete and have signed by your physician.

Establishing a Health Care Directive is a non-optional aspect of your care, and it involves having conversations with your family that may be difficult. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what types of treatment you will receive should you become very ill.

Not all treatments and procedures are beneficial. Sometimes the discomfort caused by diagnostic tests or treatments outweighs any benefit gained, and it may not change how you feel - not prolong your life.

Sometimes, important medical decisions must be made quickly in the event of an emergency. If you do not establish a Health Care Directive prior to moving in, you must know that the doctor will make decisions for you based on your history, diagnosis, and health status.

A Health Care Directive can be reviewed or changed at any time. It will be reviewed with you as part of your annual case conference.

Things you should know About Medication

Most drugs are supplied to residents and are paid for by Manitoba Health or the First Nations Inuit Health Branch. If a drug you need is not covered, you will be notified, and you will have to approve the cost prior to filling the prescription.

Only medication ordered by the physician will be provided to you.

For safety reasons, over-the-counter medications and alternative therapies are not permitted in your room. They may cause reactions to your prescribed medications. Please discuss them with the nursing staff prior to using them.

Pharmacists

All medications are prepared and distributed to Pinaow Wachi Inc. by a Norway House Cree Nation Pharmacist. He or she provides consultative services, education, and drug information to residents' families and staff. Every three months, your medications are reviewed by the pharmacist, physician and the director of nursing in an effort to provide you with the best treatment with the least amount of medication.

Diagnostic Services and Blood Work

Laboratory tests, such as X-rays and blood work, are available at the Norway House Hospital. Your physician may order some tests, and your family is expected to accompany you.

Keeping you healthy

The Norway House Public Health is available each year to administer flu shots and other vaccines to our residents. The vaccines are administered to you by a nurse and are prescribed by your doctor.

Foot Care

The Pinaow Wachi Inc. has a foot care nurse who will visit you every four to six weeks. She will assess your feet shortly after you arrive and will provide regular foot therapy and toenail care as needed.

Your Eyes & Teeth

You and your family are responsible for arranging appointments with a dentist, denturist, or optometrist. You must make an appointment to see either and arrange for someone to take you.

Costs for these services may or may not be covered by Manitoba Health or your private insurance plan. If they are not insured, you will be billed directly by the specialist you choose to visit.

GENERAL SERVICES

Business Office Services

You must visit the Office regularly to pay your rent and for transactions from your trust accounts. Each time you take money out of your trust account, you must sign a receipt stating the date of your transaction and how much money you took out.

If you or your family have any questions about your rent or finances, please do not hesitate to speak with the Administrator or finance clerk.

The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Communication: Compliments, Concerns and Complaints

You and your family are encouraged to speak with the nurse on duty or to the Administrator at any time.

Should you or your family have any concerns about how staff or other residents treat you or someone else, please let the Administrator or nurse on duty know. All concerns will be taken seriously. Comment log sheets are available at reception for all written comments.

We are committed to providing an atmosphere of mutual respect among you, your family, and your staff. Please share your thoughts and concerns with us and let us know what we are doing well.

The Protection for Persons in Care Act

The Protection for Persons in Care Act is an extra safeguard built into Manitoba's health care system. Mistreating a resident or patient in a facility is an offence under this provincial law. Pamphlets regarding this act and the reporting process are available at any time and are included in the admissions packages.

How we ensure your Privacy

All staff and volunteers receive an orientation to the Policy on Confidentiality and must also sign a Pledge of Confidentiality.
All personal resident records related to accommodations, charges and medical information are confidential and are accessible only to the authorized staff.
Pinaow Wachi Inc. and Nothern Regional Health Authority adhere to the provincial legislation in the Personal Health Information Act.

Resident Council Meetings

Residents' Council meetings are held five times per year. This is where the Elders voice any concerns or issues and make decisions that affect your life here at Pinaow Wachi Inc. Personal Care Home. The dates are posted on the monthly calendar before the next meeting date.

Family Meetings, Events and Education

Family meetings, events and education sessions are held throughout the year to update elders, families and friends about what is happening in our home. The meeting dates are generally advertised on the monthly calendar at the dining room entrance, so please join us.

Visitors

We welcome and invite your family and friends to visit you as often as possible. Visitors are asked to respect the needs, comfort, and schedules of all residents; and to protect their confidentiality at all times.

If you plan on having visitors late in the evening, please have them call in advance.

Children under 12 must be supervised at all times. Children visiting alone must remain with the person they are visiting, and may be asked to leave if they are disruptive.

All visitors who are ill should refrain from visiting Pinaow Wachi Inc. until they feel better.

Dietary Department

Under the direction of a Registered Dietitian, kitchen staff provides healthy meals to you that comply with Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating.

The menu is developed by the dietitian with input from residents, families, and staff. The kitchen staff does their best to accommodate cultural and personal preferences.

Special and therapeutic diets, as well as nutritional supplements, are provided when ordered by your physician.

There are three meals served daily. If you do not want to eat what is served that day, an alternative meal will be offered. Tea, coffee, and juice are always available. Snacks are served between meals. If you wish to bring your own healthy snacks you are welcome to.

In nice weather, we have picnics, campfires, and barbeques, and sometimes, an event calls for a special meal.

Dietary and nursing staff are always available during meal and snack times to assist you in a manner that promotes dignity and safety.

Your family and friends are welcome to have breakfast, lunch, or dinner with you anytime! Let the Dietary staff know a few hours in advance, then visit the Office to pay for your meals). The cost is $5.00 per guest, per meal.

Laundry & Housekeeping

The Laundry Department is responsible for laundering all clothing and linens at Pinaow Wachi Inc. Hand washing and ironing are services that are not offered by the laundry department.

The housekeeping staff endeavors to keep Pinaow Wachi Inc. clean and attractive.

They will clean your room and bathroom regularly.

Housekeeping staff also maintain common areas of the home such as the dining room and lounge areas. Housekeeping staff will conduct a thorough "spring cleaning" of your room each year.

You and your family are responsible for cleaning personal pictures and knicnacs. You are welcome to bring houseplants with you when you move in, (staff will assist you to water and maintain them.

Hairdressing/Barber Service

Our staff does some of the haircuts, at times we contact our loca hairdresser to come in and do haireuts and perms, at the expense of each individual. You or family member will have to sign a consent form.

Sending & Receiving Mail

You can receive your mail at the personal care home the reception will distribute to the residents.

Pinaow Wachi Inc.

P.O. Box 98

Norway House, MB ROB 1BO

Recreation Services

We offer a variety of recreational activities meet the social, emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual needs of our Elders. We greatly encourage our Elders and their family/friends to join in and become involved. Our activities are designed to enhance and promote individuality, independence and socialization while also respecting the Elder's choice to not participate. Elders who choose not to attend large group activities will be offered 1-1 opportunities to meet their leisure needs.

We also encourage the celebration of special family events at the Home.

If you wish to hold an event at Pinaow Wachi Inc., please contact our Activities worker for assistance with any preparations.

Staff Development

Employees working in long-term care need an extensive body of knowledge and skills to provide quality care to Elders and their families.

We provide our staff with ongoing educational opportunities and resources. This enables them to achieve the level of knowledge and expertise required in providing quality care.

Telephone & Cable Services

You are welcome to bring a phone and television with you to the Personal Care Home. All Rooms are cable ready.

You must make arrangements for these services, and you are responsible for maintaining your own account.
You will be responsible for costs associated with phone & cable services, including installations and transfers of services from one location to another.

There is a phone located by nurse's desk to use for free calling at any time. If wish to use that phone for long distance calls, you may wish to purchase a long distance calling card. The personal care home has two televisions in different lounge areas for residents and families to enjoy.

Maintenance Services

Our Maintenance strives to keep your environment safe and pleasant.

He does preventative maintenance in the building as well as repairs requested by Elders, families and staff. You can assist by reporting and malfunctioning equipment or repairs needed in your room to the Nurse.

It will be repaired as quickly as possible.

The Maintenance personnel will hang your pictures. Please tell a staff member to arrange this for you.

Spiritual Services

We offer church services representative of a wide variety of denominational backgrounds. Services are held in our Home every.

Sunday. Clergy are available for individual visits as requested by our Elders/families.

Filing your Income Taxes

The Finance Clerk will make arrangements for the resident's taxes to be done. Or you and your family can make arrangements to file your income taxes each year. This is very important because it affects how much your rent will be. Manitoba Health uses your Notice of Assessment, a form you receive once you have filed your taxes, to determine your rate of pay for your rent. If you are married or common-law, we will also require your spouse's tax information.

If you do not file your taxes, Manitoba Health will automatically set your rent at the highest rate.
Rate adjustments happen in August of each year. Make sure you give your Notice of Assessment to the Office prior to August of each year.

Leaves & Vacations

Social leaves are encouraged if you have the right supports in place making if safe for you to leave. It is important for you to maintain contact with family and friends. Before you go anywhere though there are a few things you must do.

>  Let us know if you are leaving the facility for Social Leave, (a short period of time), an Extended Leave, (a long period of time), or a Maximum Leave, (21 days).

> Nursing staff will make sure you have the right amount of medication you need for your leave

> You must make all travel and transportation arrangements yourself

> If you leave, know that your room will be reserved for you but that the residential charges still apply for the days you are gone.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Pinaow Wachi Inc. was designed so that you will be as safe as possible.

Here are some of the ways we keep residents safe and feeling secure in their home:

• Your room and your bathroom are equipped with call bells that sound an alarm and signal a blinking light above your room, alerting staff that you need help.
• All entrances are locked in the evenings. If you have a visitor after hours, they can ring the doorbell at the front entrance.
• Nursing staff will check on you throughout the night. If you do not want this service, just let nursing know.
• Staff have been orientated and trained to respond to a variety of disaster and fire situations, and we hold regular fire drills and practices.
• Mattresses and window coverings are fire retardant.
• Exits are clearly marked
• The building is equipped with heat & smoke detectors, extinguishers, and sprinklers located in the ceiling.
• Fire Safety
• We want to ensure your safety and we require your assistance, you can expect fire drills to be held on a regular basis. Please remain calm and follow the instructions of our staff members.

Front Door Security - Sign In

For the Security of the Elders and in case of home emergencies like fire, it is vitally important for all family members and visitors to sign in. The sign in book is located at the front entrance of our Home.

Front Door Security System

For the security of the Home the doors are locked at all times, we have a buzzed in system directly to the Nurses desk. All outside doors have key pads, which require entering a code for the door to open. Only full time staff are given these access numbers. It is necessary to change the code from time to time.

Infection Control

For the protection of our Elders, we ask visitors to not enter our Home in the event of personal illness. It may be necessary to isolate ill Elders from well Elders at times for everyone's health and well-being. Signs will be placed around the Home and on the Elder's door if there is a health concern that all should be aware of. We encourage you to wash your hands well and follow the directions of the Home when a concern is identified.

We ask that you always wash your hands upon arriving and leaving our Home. Hand sanitizer is available at the front door and various locations throughout our Home.

Pet Visits

We love pet visits! For everyone's safety please ensure that all animals visiting our Home have up to date vaccinations, are sociable with other animals and are kept on a leash at all times. *Please note that cleaning up pet waste is the responsibility of the pet's owner.*

Smoking

The Pinaow Wachi Inc, Personal Care Home is a non-smoking facility for residents, visitors, and staff.

Pinaow Wachi Inc. building and grounds are smoke-free. If you smoke, you must be able to smoke safely on your own. You must smoke outside, off the grounds. Staff will not assist you to smoke at any time.

Freedom of Movement

Some of the people who live here are able to keep themselves safe.

They are free to move around the home and leave the building we ask they inform staff of their departure, and a signed leave of absences to filled.

Occasionally a resident who is confused needs the assistance of minimal restraints to stay safe. Our restraints policy dictates that restraints cannot be used until all other non-restraining solutions have been tired.

As a last resort, after a process of creative problem solving and assessment, the following restraints are used when they are warranted to keep a resident safe.

• Bed rails remind residents who fall in the night to use the call bell to ask for assistance getting up. Some residents request the bed rails to be raised because they feel safer with them up.
• Wander guard is an electronic device placed on residents who wander and are unsafe outside without supervision. The device triggers an alarm and locks the exterior doors when the resident approached. staff will then able to redirect the residents or accompany them outside accompany them outside.
• In rare instances, residents who are unsafe on their feet are protected from standing on their own with the use of lap belts.Staff is required to check these residents regularly to ensure they remain active.
• Residents who experience periods of extreme agitation may have a prescription for medication that can be administered to help them regain their composure.

Family is consulted and their permission is required for any of these restraining solutions to be used.
We promote freedom of movement for all residents, when that is possible.