Caring for your loved one

Care Conferences

Residents and families are encouraged to communicate information, questions, concerns or compliments about the person’s care or services on an ongoing basis through the Care Managers, Nurses, or Social Workers. Care conferences are held with the care team and the resident and/or family members. These conferences provide an opportunity to share information, and identify goals of care, to ensure quality of care and quality of life.
Four to six weeks following admission, the Care Home’s Care Team will meet with the resident and family members. This is an opportunity to plan ongoing day-to-day care, as well as plan for the future. This meeting is held annually, or as needed because of changes in health status or concerns.

Devices and Equipment

Unless you are told otherwise, please bring devices such as a walking aid or wheelchair when moving in. Therapy Services staff will assess what equipment is required. All devices or equipment must be stored in the resident’s room and be marked with the resident’s name.

Residents using power mobility equipment (including power wheelchairs) must have a driving assessment by Broadmead Care’s Occupational or Physical Therapist before the equipment may be used. This is a mandatory safety requirement that may take place more than once as the resident’s abilities diminish over time.

Therapy Services will assist with obtaining equipment required by the resident. Therapy Services has a supply of walking aids, wheelchairs, special mattresses or other equipment for loan at no additional charge. Specialty or customized equipment may need to be purchased.

For eligible Veterans, the cost of specialty or customized equipment may be covered by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). To receive funding support from VAC for assistive devices or adaptive equipment, the veteran must have an assessment completed by Veterans Memorial Lodge’s Occupational or Physical Therapist. The therapist will assist the veteran to obtain the required equipment according to VAC’s procedures. Please be aware that this process may take several weeks or months.

Other residents may receive funding support for devices or equipment from another government program or their individual extended health insurance plan. Payment is the responsibility of the resident or Power of Attorney.

Healthcare Decisions

There are laws in British Columbia that guide consent to healthcare and advance healthcare planning. The Healthcare (Consent) and Care Facility (Admission) Act sets out the right of people to make their own healthcare decisions, including making an ‘Advance Directive’, which is a statement about an individual’s future healthcare preferences. New residents who are capable of completing an Advance Directive will be encouraged to do so. Social Workers will assist with this process.

In the event that a person becomes unable to make healthcare decisions for themselves, other people take on responsibility for making these decisions. There are several different ways to approach this. A Social Worker is available to help guide you through this process. In an emergency situation, if the Health Representative or next of kin is not available, a healthcare provider such as a nurse or doctor can make a healthcare decision such as whether to transfer the resident to hospital.

We strongly encourage families to discuss previously stated wishes or instructions for future healthcare, so that if and when family are required to make a healthcare decision, they will be better able to reflect and represent the resident’s wishes.

My Voice provides resources to help you have conversations about healthcare preferences.

Medic Alert Bracelet

We recommend residents who have been identified as being at risk of leaving the Care Home unaccompanied, or for a serious health problem, wear a medical alert bracelet.

Medical Appointments

From time to time a resident may need to go out to see a specialist or to have a diagnostic test. The Broadmead Care Nurse will assist with setting up these appointments and discussing transport. Please be sure to let the Nurse know as far in advance as possible about an appointment.

Pharmacy

All medications and medical supplies used by the resident must be ordered by the attending physician and dispensed by the pharmacy. Medication must be administered by Broadmead Care nursing staff unless other arrangements have been approved. CareRx provides Pharmacy services to all residents.
Herbal Products or other Alternative and Complementary Treatments
Broadmead Care supports a resident’s right to choose and make decisions about their healthcare. If the resident has non-prescription medications or treatments, for safety reasons, please discuss these with the Nurse.

If an alternative or complementary treatment not provided by Broadmead Care is desired, staff may assist the resident/family to locate a list of service providers. Selection of the private service provider, as well as arrangements for services and payment, is the sole responsibility of the resident/family. Please let our staff know if the resident is receiving an alternative or complementary treatment, and when the treatment is discontinued. Broadmead Care cannot provide staff or equipment resources to facilitate the treatment provided, and are not responsible for the actions or supervision of the private service provider, nor the outcomes of treatment.