amphitryon wrote:I also realize that I must register him for LTC pronto, since I understand the long waiting times. The dilemma for us: he is comfortable where he is, knows the complex and still gets around with a walker on his own.
Nevertheless CCAC will recommend that he get on the LTC waiting list even if he doesn't need to go to a facility
yet. You need to make sure his CCAC case manager is aware of his situation. (They'll let you sit in on the discussion if the patient allows and you're willing.)
The complex has several dining rooms, a cafeteria, drug-store, barber shop, pool, library, exercise programs and common rooms. Drawback - no alcohol policy. The ''assisted living'' area also has larger rooms available - $3,500 - 4,000, which he can afford.
The location is also ideal for shopping, banking etc., but I now have reservations re. the ability to provide nursing care when needed. They also do not provide companions for trips - say radiation if required etc. I assume CCAC will be of help there.
They will but not enough. You will also need to provide for transportation to/from the other facility. But you should get as much help from CCAC as you can before dipping into personal financial resources.
The question is, are there better suitable places in TO, which have actually nursing staff, and does it make sense and try to persuade a hundred year old to move, or do we take a chance and struggle along until he's ready for LTC, if it comes to this?
LTC facilities are supposed to have 24hr nursing staff. I suspect that they're overworked as they are in other medical facilities. If your friend is willing, try to stay put for as long as possible. You can hire home care for ~$24/hour on an as-needed basis, say 2 or 3 hours per day. CCAC should be able to provide at least 1 to 2 hours a day. The issue gets more difficult if/when the patient needs assistance to get around, e.g. to use the toilet, when you'll need a lot more home care, or face a lot of pressure to get into an LTC.
BTW change is coming slowly, e.g.
Ontario seniors’ homes to get more nurse practitionersOntario’s health minister has announced that 75 nurse practitioners will be hired for long-term care homes. In doing so, Deb Matthews acknowledged that’s not enough for the woefully understaffed seniors’ facilities, and promised more will come.
The move is intended to take the pressure off overcrowded hospitals by cutting down on ambulance transfers from homes. It is also aimed at reducing the need for restraints — both physical and chemical — by increasing supervision of residents.
Now "up to $14 million" is a drop in the bucket. A NP earns ~$100k/yr plus benefits, say $125k, so $9.5 million
per year for just this announcement. (That's in addition to post-graduate education, etc. to get from RN to NP.)
Sedulously eschew obfuscatory hyperverbosity and prolixity.