Planning Your Care
In this section, we’ll review the following:
- Care Conferences
- The members of Your Care Team
- Resident Care and Facility Services
- Services Available for Assessment and/or Consultation
- Services Available for a Fee
Care Conferences
Getting to know you and making sure your needs are being met is very important to us. In the first few weeks after you move in, members of your care team will talk with you and your family to learn more about you and what matters to you.
About six to eight weeks after admission, you and your family will be invited to a care conference. This meeting gives you a chance to talk about your care, ask questions, share concerns, and help plan the care and services you receive. Your thoughts and suggestions are important and help guide your care plan.
Care conferences are held once a year. Your care plan is also reviewed every three months to make sure it still meets your needs. Staff from different areas will attend the care conference, such as nursing, health care aides, rehabilitation, social work, recreation, dietary services, and spiritual care. Each team member shares information about how you are doing in their area and discusses any concerns.
To respect your privacy, residents who are able to decide will be asked if they want family members to attend care conferences. If a resident is not able to make this decision, an invitation will be sent to the resident’s main contact person, who can invite other family members if needed.
You and your family do not need to wait for a care conference to speak up. We encourage you to share questions or concerns as soon as they come up. You can talk to any member of your care team at any time or ask for a meeting if needed. The sooner we know about a concern, the sooner we can help.
Your Care Team
Family & Friends – Partners in Care
‘Partner in Care’ is an inclusive term that can be applied to a person’s family, or other people you trust, including those who help make decisions for you. Family is defined by the person receiving care (patient, resident or client), and you may consider relatives, informal caregivers, friends, neighbors and/or others as family. You can have more than one Partner in Care, and you can change who is a Partner in Care at any time.
The following professions may take part in your care at Deer Lodge Health Centre depending on your particular care needs. Each unit has assigned team members who will meet with you soon after your admission and periodically during your stay based on your needs.
Manager Health Services (MHS)
Each unit has a Manager Health Services who is responsible for the care and services provided on each unit. The MHS works with the healthcare team to make sure your needs are met.
Clinical Resource Nurse
The Clinical Resource Nurse provides guidance and support to nursing staff and helps coordinate resident care. The CRN works closely with the care team to make sure care is well organized, based on best practices, and focused on the needs of each resident.
Nurses (RN/RPN/LPN) and Health Care Aides (HCA)
Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, and Licensed Practical Nurses are available 24 hours a day to look after your nursing care. They assess your health, provide care, and check regularly to make sure your needs are met. Nurses are also available to help you with daily activities as needed.
Health Care Aides work closely with the nurses to provide personal care and assistance. They help with things like bathing, dressing, and mobility, and do so under the guidance and supervision of the nursing staff on the unit.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
The Clinical Nurse Specialist is an advanced practice nurse who works closely with the care team. The CNS provides expert advice, support, and education to staff to help ensure residents receive high-quality care based on best practices.
Physician and Medical Team
Physicians are responsible for overseeing your medical care while you live at Deer Lodge Health Centre. They work closely with nurses and other members of the care team to monitor your health, review medications, and address medical concerns as they arise. The medical care team may also include Clinical Assistants and Physician Assistants when needed. Together, they help make sure your medical needs are met and your care plan is kept up to date.
Deer Lodge Health Centre provides 24-hour medical coverage:
- Attending Physician: Each unit has an Attending Physician who visits weekly and serves as your primary care doctor.
- Physician Assistant / Clinical Assistant: Available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., seven days a week.
- On-Call Physician: Available from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., seven days a week.
Social Worker (SW)
The Social Worker is here to help you and your family manage stress and navigate challenges that can affect your well-being. They can assist with things like admission and discharge planning, financial or legal questions, and connecting you with community resources. Social Workers also provide support for physical or emotional concerns, help solve problems during a crisis, and make it easier for you, your family, and staff to communicate with each other.
Resident Care and Facility Services
Nutrition and Food Services
The Registered Dietitian (RD) is part of the Clinical Nutrition Services team. The RD on your unit will check your nutrition needs when you move in or soon after. They are available to answer any questions or concerns about your meals and nutrition. The Dietitian helps plan meals to support your health, manage medical conditions, and can also give guidance to help you make healthy, informed choices about food.
The Food Services team provides residents with nutritious, well-balanced meals. Food is supplied by the Regional Distribution Facility. Snacks and drinks are also available throughout the day and evening. We encourage residents to enjoy their meals in a space best suited for them, where we aim to make mealtimes pleasant and enjoyable for everyone.
Pharmacy Services
The pharmacist works with your doctors and care team to make sure your medication needs are met. They review your medications and health regularly to ensure you are receiving the best care.
Some supplements or herbal products can affect your medications or treatments. It’s important to tell the care team about any supplements or herbal products you are taking.
Deer Lodge Health Centre follows the Use of Natural Health Products by Residents in Personal Care Homes and Long-Term Care policy.
Spiritual Health Services
At Deer Lodge Health Centre, we recognize the importance of caring for spiritual and emotional needs as an important part of the whole person. Spiritual Health Care is provided by clinically trained Spiritual Health Practitioners (SHPs) who serve and support people of all faiths and non-faith backgrounds. SHPs can assist in accessing religious/ spiritual resources and facilitating a connection to your own minister, priest, rabbi, imam or other religious leader. SHPs are here to support patients/ residents, families and staff. The second floor Worship Centre is open 24 hours a day for quiet reflection and specific religious services as advertised.
The Spirit Room in the Worship Centre is designed for spiritual practices, including smudging. Indigenous ceremonies are offered monthly by the WRHA Indigenous Spiritual Health Provider. Residents, patients, and families are also welcome to invite their own elder to lead ceremonies. The Spirit Room is open 24 hours a day and can be reserved to ensure it’s available when you need it.
Read more on the DLHC Spiritual Health Webpage
Therapeutic Recreation Services
Each unit has Therapeutic Recreation staff who plan programs to meet the social, cultural, intellectual, and therapeutic needs of residents. Programs are planned to match resident’s abilities and interests. They can be one-on-one, in small groups, or larger group activities. Each resident has a plan for participating in recreation programs, and staff keep a monthly record of the activities you attend.
Recreation staff meet with residents to learn about their interests and ideas for programs. Families are welcome to share information about their loved one’s hobbies or interests and are also invited to join most programs. Monthly Activity Calendars are posted in resident rooms, at nursing stations, and online.
Read more on the DLHC Therapeutic Recreation Webpage
Housekeeping Services
Housekeeping staff clean each resident’s room once a day and dust shelves on a regular basis. To help staff clean thoroughly, we ask that personal items such as ornaments and picture frames be kept to a reasonable amount. Too many items can make it difficult to dust properly.
For safety and good air circulation, window ledges and vents must be kept clear at all times. Keeping these areas open helps ensure proper ventilation and a clean, comfortable living space.
Volunteer Services
Volunteers at Deer Lodge Health Centre help residents, support staff, and maintain a connection with the community. They run the “DLHC Auxiliary Gift Shop” and “Chad’s Place” bar, visit residents, assist at mealtimes, and join in recreational programs. Volunteers may also help you get to worship services or accompany you to appointments outside the Centre.
Volunteers know how important it is to stay in touch with family and friends. They can deliver emails to residents—just send a message to [email protected] or send a Well Wish online, and it will be printed and hand-delivered to the resident.
Interested in Volunteering? Take a look at the Volunteer section to learn how you can get involved!
Clothing and Laundry Services
We want to help make your stay at Deer Lodge Health Centre as comfortable as possible. To support our laundry service, we ask that all clothing be washable in hot water. Please give new clothing items to a staff member so they can be labeled at no cost before use.
Suggested Clothing List
- 6 shirts
- 6 pairs of pants
- 10 pairs of socks
- 10 underpants (if worn)
- 4 pairs of pajamas
- 4 sweaters
- Housecoat (if desired)
- 2 pairs of shoes
- 1 pair of slippers (with grip soles)
Depending on your needs, you may be asked to purchase adaptive clothing, such as open-back garments, adjustable footwear, or grip socks.
Please note that Deer Lodge Health Centre is not able to launder personal comforters.
Personal Care Home Laundry
Deer Lodge Health Centre provides regular laundry service for resident clothing. Families may choose to use this service or continue doing laundry themselves. Some items may not be suitable for our laundry process and may need to be taken home by a family member or dry cleaned.
Complex Continuing Care Laundry
Laundry service is available for a monthly fee. Families may choose to use this service or continue providing laundry support. As with all laundry, some items may need to be taken home or dry cleaned if they are not suitable for institutional washing.
Seasonal Clothing
Clothing needs can change with the seasons or as care needs change. Families are asked to check clothing in the spring and fall to make sure items still fit, are in good condition, and are appropriate for the season. Off-season clothing should be taken home with a family member, as storage space is limited at DLHC.
Services Available for Assessment and/or Consultation
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy is available to help residents with daily activities and overall function. They assess your needs, provide treatment and advice, and suggest equipment that can make life easier—like wheelchairs, raised toilet seats, dressing aids, or splints. These tools help you maintain or improve your abilities.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy helps residents with movement, function, and managing pain or injuries. Physiotherapists assess your needs, provide treatment, give advice, and help manage physical challenges. Their goal is to improve your quality of life by restoring, maintaining, or maximizing your ability to move and do daily activities. Physiotherapy services are available at DLHC on a limited basis.
Speech Language Pathology
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) help residents with communication and swallowing. Conditions such as stroke, progressive illness, or injury may cause difficulties with speech, language, voice, or swallowing. SLPs assess your needs and provide treatment strategies, and support to help you reach your maximum potential for communication and safe swallowing. They work closely with you, your family, and the care team to ensure you get the help you need.
Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory Therapists help residents with breathing and lung health. They assess your needs, provide treatment and support, and teach strategies to make breathing easier. Respiratory Therapy services including diagnostic testing are available to all residents.
Diagnostic Services
Diagnostic services at Deer Lodge Health Centre include lab, x-ray and electrocardiograms
Veterans Affairs Canada Services
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Client Services provides support to Veterans both in the community and while a resident at Deer Lodge Health Centre. Social Work can help make arrangements for a VAC Counselor. Veterans can also contact the Veterans Ombudsman at 1-877-330-4343.
Services Available for a Fee
Dental Services
The University of Manitoba – Faculty of Dentistry operates a dental clinic at Deer Lodge Health Centre that is available to residents. The resident or patient pays the cost of dental services or may be covered by his or her dental plan.
Foot Care
Advanced foot care is available for a fee and is provided by certified foot care nurses. Residents and families may arrange these services privately by following the Privately Hired Caregivers Policy and completing the required forms.
If you are interested in foot care services, please speak with a unit nurse for help with arranging this care.
Tailoring Services
Laundry Services staff are happy to help with minor clothing repairs for a small fee. This includes sewing on buttons, fixing small rips or tears, and re-hemming pants. On a limited basis, additional tailoring services—such as hemming new pants, opening garment backs, or replacing zippers—may also be available for an added charge. Pricing and tailoring requests can be directed to the Laundry Services Manager, and unit staff are happy to assist you.
Barber and Hairdressing Services
These services are available in Deer Lodge Health Centre Salon at a reasonable cost. Please talk with your unit clerk or the nursing staff to arrange appointments.