A long-term care (LTC) home is a home-like setting that provides care and services for people who are no longer able to live independently or who require on-site nursing care, 24-hour supervision or personal support. LTC homes are government funded and regulated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. All long-term care homes offer 24-hour supervision and nursing care. The basic package includes the following services: furnishings (e.g. bed, chair, side table), meals (including special diets), bed linens and laundry, personal hygiene supplies, medical/clinical supplies and devices (e.g. walkers, wheelchairs for occasional use), housekeeping, pastoral services, social and recreational programs, medication administration, and assistance with the essential activities of daily living. Nursing and personal care on a 24-hour basis and access to a physician and other health professionals.

Click here to see the Family Council manual on Easing the Transition for answers to a variety of questions regarding easing the transition into long-term care.

No, retirement homes are not regulated or funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Carveth Care Centre Lodge is privately owned and operated. The retirement home is an assisted living facility that is able to accommodate minimal care needs for seniors.

There is one piece of provincial legislation governing long-term care homes. This is the Long-Term Care Homes Act. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) sets standards for care and inspects long-term care homes annually. The MOHLTC also legislates the criteria governing eligibility for long-term care and manages admission waiting lists across the province. All homes must post and follow a Residents' Bill of Rights. The MOHLTC conducts annual compliance reviews and homes are required to post this report and make it available to residents, families and prospective residents. To obtain a home's compliance report, you can ask the home directly or contact your MOHLTC regional office.

We are proud to say that Carveth Care Centre has been an accredited home for the past 26 years. To achieve accreditation, a home must undergo an intensive survey from Accreditation Canada. If successful, the home is recognized with an award to identify it as a home of distinction that provides care over and above provincial standards mandated by the MOHLTC.

Carveth Care Centre offers a variety of accommodation options. We have basic rooms, semi private and private rooms. "Preferred Accommodation" is the term used to describe semi private and private rooms that include special features. "Basic or Standard Accommodation" refers to the style of rooms that are shared by residents. The MOHLTC sets accommodation co-payment rates for the province. The co-payment rates change from time to time (at a minimum, annually in July). For the most up-to-date rates, contact the staff at your local Ontario Health at Home or a representative in the business department at Carveth Care Centre. If your income is not sufficient to pay for the basic accommodation rate, there is a subsidy available to reduce your accommodation rate, should you qualify. Subsidies are only available for basic accommodation. The home’s Office Manager can provide a rate reduction application form to residents to complete. If you are moving into a long-term care home and your spouse requires financial assistance to remain in his or her home, there is a government benefit called "Exceptional Circumstances" for people with lower incomes or couples who have to live separately. For more information, contact your local office of Ontario Health at Home.

There are many private areas for families and friends to visit. In warmer weather, there are three outdoor patios. There are visiting rooms throughout the home such as the Fireplace Room, the Restorative Rainforest and two additional lounges to be found on the Kingsley Earl wing.

The current Administrator of Carveth Care Centre is Brett Gibson, a third generation family member. Brett is a certified Administrator in the Province of Ontario and a graduate of Saint Mary’s University, where he earned his Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Management, as well as his Human Resource Management Certificate.

He is actively involved in the day to day operations of the home and is committed to maintaining high standards of care, compliance, and resident wellbeing.

The administration, including the Director of Care, Administrator and Business Manager, as well as the business office are available weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The home maintains an open door policy and residents and their families are to feel free to contact the appropriate individual at any time. Please see the staff directory for direct contact numbers. Residents and families are encouraged not to leave cash or valuables in their room. For safe keeping please submit these items to the business office where they can be kept in a security safe and can be obtained at any time during office business hours. There is no additional charge for this service.

First you need to contact your local office of Ontario Health at Home, which is the local Placement Coordination Service. Within the context of provincial legislation, regulations and policies, Placement Coordination Service undertake the following key responsibilities:

• Determine eligibility for admission to long-term care facilities;
• Authorize admission to long-term care facilities;
• Prioritize persons for admission to long-term care facilities;
• Manage the waiting list for admission to long-term care facilities

Ontario Health at Home is the organization that you must go through to get admitted to Helen Henderson Care Centre. You can visit their website at https://ontariohealthathome.ca/ for more information.

Yes, there is a waiting list. The list is established by the Placement Coordination Service depending on the levels of care individuals require, their current living situation, and the type of accommodation requested (i.e. private, semi-private, basic).

The province has adopted a standard rate for basic accommodation in long-term care facilities. Under this policy a maximum rate for basic accommodation is set annually by the government. This rate will be paid by persons with sufficient income to pay the maximum rate for basic accommodation. When a resident requests private or semi-private accommodation, an additional preferred accommodation fee is charged, also set by the provincial government. Resident accommodation charges are subject to change on July 1st of each year with 30 days of notice provided prior to any rate changes.

A resident must reside in basic accommodation (with a roommate) to be eligible for a rate reduction. A resident in basic accommodation with an income below $21,000 per year will be eligible for a reduction. Residents applying for a rate reduction will be income tested at the time of application and annually thereafter. The Reduction Application requires a resident to produce and attach to the application form a copy of his/her Notice of Assessment for the immediately preceding year. The Notice of Assessment is a confirmation sent from Revenue Canada to an individual subsequent to filing an income tax return.

For a nominal fee, transportation can be arranged via the Gananoque Wheels of Care. The Wheels of Care is a volunteer based organization that provides transportation for people confined to wheelchairs or suffering from other physical disabilities.

Although the easiest time to visit is between 10 am and 8 pm, we are open to visitors at any time throughout the day. If visits are required outside of daylight hours, there is a doorbell at the main entrance to alert staff.

All residents are entitled to vacation time and leaves of absence after admission. Each resident is allowed a leave of up to 48 hours per week and a vacation time of three weeks per calendar year. We request that for a leave of absence, the home be alerted two hours prior to leave of request, if at all possible. For vacation time, if at all possible, we request that the home be notified at least two business days prior. These time frames allow the staff to prepare the necessary equipment and medication that may need to accompany the resident during their time away from the home.

Our Activation Department is made up of qualified staff who are members in good standing with The Activity Professionals of Ontario. Programs are highlighted by daily announcements, newsletters, bulletin boards and an electronic communication station centrally located. The Activity staff also do one-on-one invitations to daily programs. A variety of daily program choices is available in different group sizes and geared to individual levels of cognitive abilities. We also offer evening programs. The focus of our programming is to meet the spiritual, physical, emotional and social needs of our individual residents. Regularly scheduled programs include sing-a-longs, crafts, bingo, bowling, exercises, games, puzzles, gardening, cooking, preserves and current events, to name just a few. Weekly in-house church services are offered in our chapel by the local Ministerial Association. Special events are held monthly including birthday parties, happy hour, men’s groups, pub nights & fundraising events such as strawberry socials & soup and bun day. We take part in local charity events such as The Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, CURE Foundation, the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

There is a multi-disciplinary care conference that is held within six weeks after admission and then annually thereafter, or if there is a change in the resident’s condition and upon request of the family. Family members who hold a valid power of attorney for personal care are encouraged to be actively involved in these meetings and the day to day planning of the resident’s care.

There is an active Family Council committee that meets regularly. Meeting dates are posted in the main lobby and there is an up-to-date information board located on the North-East wing. The Carveth Newsletter is also published once-a-month that also contains information about upcoming events and meetings. As the Family Council acts as an advocate for the residents of the home, all families are encouraged to become involved in the home and participate in Family Council.

Click here to see the Family Council manual on Easing the Transition for answers to a variety of questions regarding easing the transition into long-term care.

Yes. Carveth Care Centre has a chapel that offers interdenominational services, including weekly worship services, Bible study, and pastoral visits.

Carveth Care Centre works with a registered dietitian to plan menus in accordance with Canada’s Food Guide. Meals are prepared on-site and alternative options are available.

Menus are posted throughout the home and snacks are provided daily. Families may join residents for meals with advance notice and a set cost per meal. Families are asked to consult staff before bringing food items to ensure dietary safety.

Carveth Care Centre strives to maintain a non smoking environment. Smoking is permitted only in a designated outdoor area that meets distance regulations. Alcohol consumption is permitted only with physician authorization.

The home is able to accommodate a variety of care needs, including oxygen therapy, electric wheelchairs, and pressure relieving devices, depending on individual requirements.

Residents are encouraged to personalize their rooms with personal furnishings and belongings. Telephone and cable services may be arranged privately and are billed directly.

All invoices for payment will be mailed to the resident’s Power of Attorney for Property, if the resident is unable to handle their own finances. Invoices are sent out at the first of each month and are due by the 15th of the month. Payment can be made by cheque at the business office or through Automatic Withdrawal with the option of the 1st of the month or the 15th of the month. Arrangements can also be made at the business office for payments to be completed by post dated cheques.

Families are respectfully asked to NOT unpack clothing items as Housekeeping and Laundry will label and inventory the clothing the same day and return to the room when completed. This will help avoid laundry from going missing.

Optional services may include hairdressing, cable television, telephone services, transportation, foot care, and tuck shop purchases.

The hair salon operates on scheduled days and hours. Residents and families can contact staff for current availability and appointment scheduling.

Dental services are provided through a visiting dental provider. Consent is required prior to treatment and billing is arranged directly with the resident or power of attorney.

A licensed foot care nurse provides on-site services. Invoices are issued to the power of attorney for property. Families may arrange alternate providers if preferred.

Prescription and over the counter medications are stored securely and administered by nursing staff with physician authorization, with limited exceptions. Medications should be provided to staff upon admission for proper handling.

The home works with a pharmacy provider and medication costs are billed accordingly.

Families are asked to notify nursing staff as early as possible regarding appointments outside the home. When referrals are physician authorized, staff will coordinate appointments and notify families once dates are confirmed.