Tall Pines is a moderate sized nursing home in western Canada. It is run by a not-for-profit society with government funding.
sociology
Description
Tall Pines is a moderate sized nursing home in western Canada. It is run by a not-for-profit society with government funding.
Altogether about 120 residents live in Tall Pines
on three floors. Over half of the residents are 85
years or older. About two thirds of the residents
have a moderate or high degree of cognitive
impairment from some form of dementia.
Almost half of the residents are wheelchair
dependent, or unable to walk safely by themselves, and most residents have some long
term illness requiring monitoring and treatment. The Health Authority regulates and funds
Tall Pines as a ‘complex care’ nursing home in which the residents require high levels of
care and supervision. An increasing proportion of residents have behavioural issues, such
as wandering into other rooms, refusing care or arguing with other residents.
Staffing levels are approximately at the level recently set by the Ministry of Health. There
are two main day shifts for nurses and care staff, as well as a night shift. Over each 24 hour
period approximately 35-40 nurses and care staff work over 3 floors combined. Altogether,
over 60 nurses and care staff work in the facility in a typical week. This includes permanent
care staff who work a set schedule and temporary staff who fill in regularly for sickness and
vacation. At least one Registered Nurse (RN) is scheduled for every period although the
majority of nurses are Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)
In addition to the care staff, each floor has a part time recreation assistant. Other staff in
the facility include a social worker, cooks and kitchen staff, cleaners, a building service
worker, laundry staff, receptionists, and an administrative assistant/scheduler.
Care aides and nursing staff are managed by a Care Coordinator while most other staff
report to a Service Manager. These managers both report to a ‘Nursing Home
Administrator’, who is the senior manager onsite, and the Administrator reports to the
Executive Director of the not-for-profit society who is offsite.
