St. Joseph's Care Group

FAQ for Bethammi Nursing Home Redevelopment

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1. When will the decision be made surrounding Bethammi's future?
2. What makes Bethammi a Category 'B' home?
3. What's wrong with an institutional layout?
4. Why is Bethammi's waiting list a concern?
5. If Bethammi Nursing Home is redeveloped, will the care change? Will there be enough staff?
6. What would happen to the respite beds if Bethammi is redeveloped?
7. Does Thunder Bay have enough long-term care beds for the population?
8. What is the CEISS project?
9. When will the CEISS project be completed?
10. When will Bethammi residents, families, and staff have another opportunity to ask questions?

Answers

1. When will the decision be made surrounding Bethammi's future?

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has indicated a time frame of Fall 2009 to decide who the successful applicants will be for Phase One of the B & C Homes Capital Renewal Plan.

2. What makes Bethammi a Category 'B' home?

Here are the categories of long-term care homes:

Category 'A': Long-term Care Homes in Category 'A' are those which already meet or exceed the requirements and expectations of the design standards described in the new Long-Term Care Facility Design Manual.

Category 'B': Long-term care homes in Category 'B' are those which still exceed the 1972 Regulated Nursing Home Structural Standards, but fall short of the new Long-Term Care Facility Design Manual. 'B' homes have structural features that clearly do not meet the new design standards. For example, the facility may have some three or four-bed ward rooms, as does Bethammi Nursing Home.

Category 'C': Long-term care homes in Category 'C' are those that meet the 1972 Regulated Nursing Home Structural Standards. Homes in this category represent the typical design of a home in operation today. A large majority of long-term care homes are in Category 'C'. There are a number of homes in Category 'C' which have some structural features that exceed the 1972 structural standards.

Category 'D': Long-term care homes in Category 'D' are those that do not meet compliance with the 1972 Regulated Nursing Home Structural Standards. This includes homes where the entire building does not meet the structural standards, or part(s) of the building does not meet the standards.

3. What's wrong with an institutional layout?

As resident care, program and service requirements change, the development of new and revised design standards are necessary. The overall goal of the Long-term Care Facility Design Manual is to integrate design concepts that will facilitate the provision of quality resident care in an environment that is comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and as home-like as possible. The design of a long-term care home must also support well-coordinated, interdisciplinary care for residents who have diverse care requirements. Each resident home area must be a self-contained, clearly-defined unit which accommodates a group of no more than thirty-two (32) residents.

Bethammi's institutional layout with three persons in a room does not provide an aesthetically pleasing, "home-like" environment. The long hallways can make it difficult for the staff to provide well-coordinated, interdisciplinary care for residents who have diverse care requirements. Currently, each resident home area (second floor or third floor) accommodates fifty-five (55) residents. This does not provide the flexibility to configure environments that make it possible to respond positively and appropriately to the diverse physical, psychological, social and cultural needs of our residents.

4. Why is Bethammi's waiting list a concern?

Bethammi's waiting list has declined from 150 to 70 potential clients since the newer homes in town were built in recent years. We believe that potential clients are choosing to go to newer homes. The 70 potential clients on our waiting list have chosen Bethammi as one of their three choices of homes and may go to one of their other choices if a bed at one of those homes becomes available before a bed at Bethammi becomes available. The reduction in the waiting list may jeopardize Bethammi's ability to maintain full occupancy in the future, which would have funding implications.

5. If Bethammi Nursing Home is redeveloped, will the care change? Will there be enough staff?

We would ensure that our residents continue to receive the same high quality care they currently receive. Staffing levels are regulated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

6. What would happen to the respite beds if Bethammi is redeveloped?

The respite beds would be included in any redevelopment of Bethammi Nursing Home.

7. Does Thunder Bay have enough long-term care beds for the population?

The number of long-term care home beds per population aged 65 years and older in Northwestern Ontario is higher than the provincial average and second only to Northeastern Ontario. Long-term care beds are only one component of the long-term care continuum. Retirement homes, supportive housing, and in-home services are all other ways that long-term care needs can be met. [1]

[1] Northwest Local Health Integration Network, Integrated Health Services Plan, "Environmental Scan" Oct., 2006

8. What is the CEISS project?

CEISS is a short-form for 'Centre of Excellence for Integrated Seniors' Services', and is a project announced in August 2007 to not only replace the existing Dawson Court and Grandview Lodge municipal homes, but also to provide specialized behavioural long-term care, expand supportive housing and provide additional community support services.  More information on the CEISS project is available at www.ceisstbay.ca.

9. When will the CEISS project be completed?

It is anticipated that the CEISS project will be completed by December 2012.

10. When will Bethammi residents, families, and staff have another opportunity to ask questions?

The Leadership Team of St. Joseph's Care Group recognizes the value of discussion, particularly with those most directly affected by any decision.  Once more information is received, we will request an invitation to a Resident's Council meeting and a Family Council meeting, and establish meeting times for the general staff and another for those unable to attend the other meetings.

 

-- Updated: December 7, 2009 --