What services do long-term care homes provide?

Submitted by Tsiionkwanonhso:te Activity Program

Long-term care homes are home-based health care facilities designed for adults who need access to on-site 24-hour nursing care, frequent assistance with activities of daily living (i.e. eating, bathing, toileting, etc.) and monitoring for safety or well-being.

All long-term care homes are licensed or approved and funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and governed by the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 (LTCHA). Long-term care homes are run by privately owned and publicly owned companies, non-profit/charitable organizations, and municipalities. MHLTC has licensed Mohawk Council of Akwesasne to operate its own long term care facility, Tsiionkwanonhso:te, located on the east end of Cornwall Island.

These organizations own the buildings and are granted term licenses and funding by the government to operate long-term care homes. From the government’s perspective, long-term care provides more support and services than can be provided through home care, and less expensively than in a hospital. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care inspectors ensure compliance through unannounced inspections and legislated authority.

All long-term care homes provide nursing and personal support services, restorative and life enrichment programs, dietary and nutritional care and access to medical, pharmacy, diagnostic and therapy services. These positions require educated, certified individuals to work in long-term care.

Life Enrichment programs can be referred to as: Activity Programs, Recreation (& Leisure), Therapeutic Recreation and Life Enrichment Director.

The individual is required to be (as regulated by MHLTC Act, 2007):

• Currently enrolled in, or completed, a diploma or degree in Recreation and Leisure studies, therapeutic recreation, kinesiology or other related fields from a community college or university.

• Current First Aid and CPR certification.

• A ‘Smart Serve’ or ‘Food Handler’ certificate considered an asset.

• A ‘GPA’, ‘P.I.E.C.E.S’, ‘Montessori Methods’ certificate is considered an asset.

Today, with a significantly more frail and ill population, most homes are evolving into complex, clinically oriented facilities that care for people at the end of their lives.

Many leaders in seniors’ care believe there is a growing role for long-term care homes in the broader health care system and as part of the overall care of seniors. Some homes are providing short-term convalescent care to bridge the recovery period between hospitalization and home, and other homes offer respite care, which eases the burden on family caregivers.

If you have any questions about Akwesasne’s long term care facility, Tsiionkwanonhso:te, please call 613.932.1409 or check http://www.akwesasne.ca/ Department of Health / Tsiionkwanonhso:te.