Welcome to Finnish Manor!


  This booklet has been developed as an informational resource for prospective and new residents at Finnish Manor. Finnish Manor is a non-profit, 60-bed intermediate care facility, which is owned and operated by the Finnish Canadian Rest Home Association, and serves the Lower Mainland Region. However, applications for admission are not restricted to this area; applications from throughout BC are accepted. Finnish Manor is a Service Provider within the Provincial Continuing Care Program. As such, the cost of an individual's care is subsidized from the provincial health budget. Government also controls the charge to residents and each person admitted to our facility must first be assessed at an intermediate care level by the Continuing Care department. We are licensed under the Community Care Facilities Act. The Licensing Division of the Health Department monitors compliance with the Act and Regulations.



Contacts

      ADMINISTRATOR:   Sinikka Seppanen

      CARE CO-ORDINATOR:   Tellervo Varvas

      MEDICAL DIRECTOR:   Dr. Segato

      ACCOUNTING MANAGER:   Annele Kusmin

      ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT:   Anneli Smith

      ACTIVITY CO-ORDINATOR:   Tanya Rautava

      DIETICIAN:   Tonya Morris

      HEAD COOK:   Marianne Rajamaki




Admissions to the Facility
  All admissions to Finnish Manor are based on the individual's eligibility for benefits under the Continuing Care Program. Any individual who feels that he/she or a family member requires care in a facility should contact the Continuing Care Office of the Health Department in their area. Once the Continuing Care Program has established eligibility, the applicant will be placed on the facility waiting list of his choice. The Finnish Manor Administrator/Designate will contact you when a bed is available. Generally, you will be asked to accept or decline the vacancy and be admitted within 48 hours of that notification. This is a very short time frame for such a major decision and move so you should begin to plan for admission at the point of acceptance to the waiting list.


Physical Layout
  We are all on one level with all the bedrooms located in a single hallway. Most of our accommodations are semi-private; two to a room. There are 12 private rooms, however we do not admit residents to a private room. The residents may go on the private room waiting list once they have been admitted to the facility. There are also 3 four-bed wards located near the nurse’s station and these are generally reserved for people requiring much care and supervision from the nurses. Each unit has a night table, bed, dresser and a call bell at bedside and in the bathroom to summon help, if needed. There is a desk in each room, privacy curtains between beds and cablevision/telephone hook-up for each bedside. We provide and wash all bed linen and towels. We have a central dining room and lounge. Residents come to the dining room for their meals.


Belongings
  We provide basic furnishings but you may wish to bring a favourite chair, small chest or table, some pictures, bedside lamp, TV and telephone. We request that you talk to staff before any furniture items are brought to the facility so we can make an assessment for safety.


Clothing & Toiletries
  Prepare your wardrobe considering easy maintenance for your own convenience, and also limited storage space. Residents are encouraged to have wash and wear clothing. While laundry staff will make every effort to care for personal clothing, you will appreciate the difficulty of ensuring the appropriate results for fine, "hand wash" only materials. Residents or their families must assume responsibility for care of these articles and anything requiring dry cleaning. All clothing must be marked on admission using the facility marking machine. For articles of clothing purchased by or given to you after admission, please ask the nursing staff to have the clothing marked. Finnish Manor is not able to provide mending service to residents. If your clothing needs repairs, we ask that your family look after this.


Physician Services
  Residents can retain their physician of choice, assuming the physician is able to visit Finnish Manor as necessary and is willing to comply with established Standards of Medical Practice for Physicians with patients residing at Finnish Manor. All applicants to Finnish Manor are required to have a chest x-ray within 6 months prior to admission. As you near the top of the wait list, you should arrange with your physician to have this done. There are house doctors at Finnish Manor who can take over your care should your physician not be able to continue as your physician. It is suggested that applicants visit their dentist for a yearly dental examination and have eyeglasses and hearing aids checked prior to admission.


Nursing Services
  Nursing Care is supervised 24 hours a day by professional staff (RN, RPN, LGN). They also provide direct care with the care aides. Nursing staff will encourage you to carry out those activities that you can safely manage. Staff will provide care and support so that you can continue to function at your highest level of ability.


Food Services
  On admission, the dietician will visit with you to assess your nutritional requirements and food preferences. A nutrition plan is developed that best fits the individual and that will encourage appropriate eating habits. Mealtimes are as follows: Breakfast 8.30 am. Lunch 12.00 noon Afternoon Coffee 2.00 pm. Dinner 5.00 pm. Evening Coffee 7.00 pm. Every attempt is made to have compatible tablemates. If you are ill, the nursing staff will arrange for temporary tray service in room. Guests may join you for meals with advance notice to kitchen. We discourage you from having food in your room for health and safety reasons. Small amounts of snack foods, such as cookies and candies are permitted. There is a fridge in the dining room, which has snacks and drinks available 24 hours a day for your enjoyment.


Housekeeping Services
  You are encouraged to participate in the general cleaning of your room. Dusting and bed making, where the person is able, help to maintain independence and a homelike atmosphere. Housekeeping staff will perform all cleaning functions according to specific routines in both your room and all public and service areas.


Laundry Services
  Personal and facility laundry is washed in-house. Personal laundry is collected by staff and returned to your room usually the next day. Please make sure you have enough underwear for one week of daily changes and at least two or three daily outfits, three pairs of pyjamas or nighties, a housecoat. It is absolutely essential that all personal laundry be marked with your name prior to using the Facility laundry to prevent items going missing. The facility will mark all your clothing upon admission. Please be sure when bringing in new items after admission to give them to the staff to be marked.


Activity Program
  The Activity Co-ordinator is responsible for ensuring the availability of social/leisure activities for residents. Programs are designed to maintain and develop skills and interests of the residents. Participation is encouraged, but the individuals right to choose his/her own activities is respected. Individuals will also be encouraged to have input into the type of programs and activities they would enjoy. Regular activities include such things as exercises, bowling, birthday celebrations, sing-alongs, supper club, movie nights etc. We also have our own bus that can accommodate wheelchairs so we are able to get out for drives, picnics and to attend special events


Pharmacy Services
  The pharmacist is part of the health care team and, as well as dispensing all medications used by residents at Finnish Manor, will be involved with your Physician and nursing staff in monitoring any medications you receive. Due to government regulations, no medication can be left with you at the bedside for you to self-administer. Registered Nurses administer all medications, including non-prescription drugs, and all treatments. All medications are administered on the order of the physician and all prescriptions are sent to our pharmacy to be filled. According to Pharmacare regulations, no other pharmacy is allowed to dispense medications to residents of Finnish Manor. Pharmacare does not cover all medications so you can expect to be billed for uncovered medications if your Physician chooses to use them. Staff will consult with you or your family if your physician orders such items. Given that there are alternatives and/or there are no implications for the well being of others your wishes will be respected if you do not want to pay the cost.


Podiatry Services
  A podiatrist visits Finnish Manor on regular basis. Nursing staff may suggest that you see the Podiatrist as necessary. Depending on your medical coverage you may be billed for this service. You can also choose to use a Podiatrist outside of Finnish Manor.


Dental Services
  Oral care is vital to a person's well being. Problems with teeth, dentures, or gums can cause poor eating or be the unseen cause of pain, confusion, or infections, etc. You are asked to visit your dentist on admission and as necessary. You also need to have your dentures labelled preferably prior to admission but staff can also assist you with this. Finnish Manor staff can help arrange visits to dentists or denturist if required.


Laboratory & X-Ray Service
  Lab technologists visit the Facility weekly as physicians order tests. Any necessary X-rays must be done at outside centres and we ask that family escort the resident to these appointments.


Emergency Ambulance Service
  The nurse-in-charge will call an ambulance to transport resident to hospital when, based on the person's medical condition, it is deemed necessary or as ordered by physician. Payment for this service is the responsibility of the resident.


Optometrist Service
  You are free to choose your own optometrist and are responsible for payment of any service rendered.


OPTICIAN SERVICE Opticians services are available at Finnish Manor for a fee but you can choose your own optician from the community.

HAIRDRESSING AND BARBER SERVICE A hairdressing salon is open two days a week at Finnish Manor. Nursing will assist with making appointments if requested, but payment for this service is your responsibility.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES Various church groups provide non-denominational services every Sunday afternoon. Residents are encouraged to attend the church of their choice within community, if possible.

FIRE SAFETY The facility has a fire plan that outlines actions in the event of a fire. The staff is familiar with their role if this situation should occur. Fire drills are held regularly to test the system and to keep the staff prepared. If the alarm sounds, residents should stay where they are and wait for instructions.

RESIDENT ROOMS We encourage you to make your room your home using your own belongings as much as will fit comfortably in room, and decorate to reflect your own tastes and likes. You are provided with one lockable drawer to secure valuables. Staff will respect your right to privacy, but we reserve the right to enter rooms at any time to provide care or ensure the safety of residents. We also reserve the right to request the removal of items of furniture if they interfere with your safety or with our ability to provide care. While we hope that you can remain in one room for the duration of your stay, it may become necessary to move individuals in order to meet changing care requirements.

TELEPHONES Each bedside has been wired for telephone service. Should you choose to have a telephone, BC Tel will invoice you directly.

CABLEVISION Every room is wired for cablevision, you are responsible for the charge. You may be asked to buy and use earphones if your roommate is sensitive to T.V. volume. Cablevision fee will be added to your rent each month.

SMOKING Finnish Manor is a no smoking facility. There is no smoking room and no smoking is allowed in common areas or residents rooms.

ALCOHOL Alcohol is not permitted at the bedside due to interactions with some medications and some medical conditions. However, if you wish to enjoy alcoholic beverages, we will consult with your physician for orders and the nurse will dispense any beverage your doctor feels is safe for you to consume.

MAIL The staff distributes residents mail every day. Mail can be held at the business office for next of kin if requested by client.

RESIDENT/FAMILY COUNCIL The resident/family council meetings are held on a regular basis once a month to encourage and develop the social and recreational well being of all residents; to arrange and promote better friendship and understanding between residents. All residents and families are encouraged and welcomed to be involved.

USER FEES (RESIDENT CHARGES) You pay a standard daily rate established by the provincial government (The Ministry of Health), which is subject to change from time to time. This user fee is payable monthly in advance. You or your family is responsible for paying this by the last day of the preceding month. You are responsible for clothing and toiletries, as required. Some personal toiletries are available at the Finnish Manor Canteen.

SOCIAL ABSENCES The Care Home encourages you to visit friends or relatives or to participate in community activities, as you are able to. You may come and go to visit or shop as you are able, but it is imperative that you report to the staff and sign in the Sign-out Book at the nursing desk, before leaving the building. Nursing staff must be aware of your whereabouts in case of fire, physicians' visits, and for medication distribution and meals. If you are planning to be away at a medication distribution time, please inform the nurse well in advance so she can pack the medications for you to take with you. For any leave of 72 hours or longer, the following Ministry of Health Policy applies: The user fee will continue to be charged for all approved days of absence and will be billed with the usual rent payments. You are allowed 30 days leave of absence from facility per year. Any leave over 30 days must be approved by the Health Department, and if approved, the resident will be responsible for the total per diem cost. For leaves over 24 hours but for less than 72 hours, we ask that you notify the nurse 24 hours in advance so that any medications can be readied to accompany the resident. For leaves of 72 hours or longer, we ask that you provide the nurse 72 hours' notice to allow for medication preparation by the Pharmacy.

HOSPITAL LEAVE In case of hospitalisation, your room will be held for 30 days. At the end of this time, if you are still in hospital, the Health Department, and the Care Home Representative will reassess the situation and decide if your room should continue to be held. As with the social leave, the resident/family continue to be responsible for the rent at Finnish Manor while the room is being held for hospital leave.

COMFORT FUNDS You are asked to keep only a small amount of money in your room. A comfort fund account of $250.00 can be set up at business office and is available to you during office hours.

TRANSPORTATION All transportation costs for appointments, etc., are your responsibility. Handy dart transportation is available on seven days' notice. Families are required to provide escort assistance for appointments and shopping.

EQUIPMENT ON LOAN Some wheelchairs/walkers are available on loan from Finnish Manor on a temporary basis. However, availability is limited. If the residents require equipment (wheelchair, walkers) for permanent use, they will be required to supply their own. Nursing staff will assist you with information about equipment types and suitability.

FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES Finnish Manor encourages family and friends to support a resident's independent management of personal property and finances. However, at some point during a resident's stay at Finnish Manor, it may be necessary for a family member or friend to assume responsibility for his/her facility-related expenses. This would be done in consultation with the resident and would include maintenance of the comfort fund account. As a family member or friend, you will be asked to work with Finnish Manor in providing a safe, healthy and friendly environment for resident. This includes responding to staff requests for assistance in dealing with resident's personal property, clothing needs, toiletries or transport for outside appointments. Together we can help residents feel comfortable and at home.

VISITING HOURS All relatives and friends are invited to visit freely throughout the day. For the comfort of others, visiting after 8.00 pm should occur in lounge areas rather than bedrooms.

ADMISSION DAY Admission time is Monday to Friday before eleven am. This is to ensure that facility staff have sufficient time to process all the paperwork etc. Please bring all medications you are currently taking including over the counter medications. There are many forms to be signed by you or your delegate at the time of admission, so your next of kin should be prepared to spend at least 2 hours at the facility at the time of admission. These forms include: Admission Agreement which outlines the facility rules, regulations and your financial responsibilities. Consent for Treatment Consent for Non-Restraint Policy Social Needs Assessment Form Degrees of Intervention: a document that discusses care to be given in various circumstances.


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