There is a central intake process in place for home care services. As yet there is no single entry point for long term care and each site maintains its own wait list. There is a residential facility assessment tool, and clients designated as emergency s receive priority for placement. Community health councils will interact with clients and families while they wait for a bed and will provide educational material to support them. Efforts are under way to minimize duplication in the assessment process an d note is made of the tool currently being piloted to minimize duplication of assessment information.
Effort is made to ensure consistency in the quality of care and services.
Following an examination of the region s aging population two plans were developed, one for seniors services and one for long term care facilities. Clients and families were surveyed to determine level of satisfaction with admission processes with positive results. There is good orientation to facilities, units and routines. Clients are thoroughly assessed by the interdisciplinary team during the first few weeks, and a care confer ence is held within six weeks of admission. Documentation is comprehensive and complete and includes informed consent.