The Rekai Centre, Wellesley Central Place, The Rekai Charitable Foundation

Health Care Programs and Services designed to meet our residents Individual Needs.

The programs and services listed below are available to all residents at no additional cost:

Our Dietary Team considers good nutrition and attractive meals to be essential parts of our service and offers a daily menu of nutritionally balance meals. There are two-entree selections or a sandwich plate available at each meal as well as a variety of desserts. Our endeavor to provide optimum nutrition and delicious meals is achieved by a collaborating effort with our Food Services Supervisor, consulting Dietician, and the Residents’ Council Food Committee.
Nourishment of hot and cold drinks and light snacks is offered to each Resident at 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Each Resident Home Dining Area is design to host 25 residents. The multicultural and therapeutic needs of individuals are considered in the meal planning process. We cater to the cultural diversity of Residents by offering alternative choices for breakfast, lunch and supper including a variety of staple starches and menu items from different cultures.

The Programs Department strives to provide high quality programs to meet the social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual needs of all Residents.

In the effort to provide for the needs and desires of all residents, programs are offered 7 days a week at a variety of times and locations. Programs come in many different forms including large group programs and parties, outings, Intergenerational programs, gardening, computer classes and of course bingo, baking and bowling.

All residents are encouraged to participate in programs of their choice. We are always open to suggestions and ideas for new programs. Family members and friends are also welcome to join in.

Rehabilitation Programs

Rehabilitation Programs are available for all residents. Restorative programs are available five days a week and include group and individual exercises, range of motion exercises, parallel bars, assisted ambulating, sensory stimulation. We also have physiotherapists on site five days a week who provides a variety of services including wheelchair and assisted device assessments and individual treatments.

Pastoral Services are co-coordinated and monitored through the Pastoral Services Committee, Which strives to meet the spiritual needs of all residents. Participation in spiritual programs is voluntary and every attempt is made to provide pastoral care all religions and spiritual practices.

We presently offer on a regular basis Catholic, Anglican, and Inter-denominational Services as well as Hungarian language services. Individual pastoral visitors are available to conduct personal visitation. For more details or special requests, please contact the Director of Resident Programs.

The Residents’ Council is the collective voice of all residents who live at the Centre. The Council is a vehicle thought, which residents are part of the planning, decision making and evaluation of programs and services. The Council meets monthly to discuss ideas and any issues.

We encourage community involvement and attempt to strengthen the association between the resident of the Centre and their surrounding community. Relatives and friends are encouraged to visit; children are especially welcome, as are family pets. (Please note: All pets must be properly vaccinated, housebroken and leashed.) Please consult with the Director of Resident Programs before bringing your pet to visit.

Our community is important to us and every effort is made to include residents in the local happenings. We invite community group including our friends at Robertson House Daycare and a variety of entertainers to visit the Centre. We also plan outings that explore our city.

Residents and their family may also find local support groups such as the Alzheimer’s Society, Parkinson’s Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Huntington’s Society, and Heart and Stroke Foundation as great a source of information and assistance as we do. Should you wish to contact these organizations the director of Resident Programs would be pleased to assist you.

A television is provided on each floor in the lounge for resident use. Should a resident prefer to have his/her own television in his/her room (s), they can subscribe to basic cable if he/she desires. The resident or family member must contact the receptionist who would provide further information the procedure involve in acquiring this service. In the interest of safety, we request that any electrical equipment brought into the Centre be checked by our Director of Environmental Services to ensure it meets safety requirements before it is used.

Telephones are available on all nursing units to accommodate incoming/outgoing telephone calls for residents. Should daily telephone calls be part of the resident’s routine, we suggest the installation of a private line. You may contact Bell Canada directly to arrange for installation.

Resident needs are re-assessed on an ongoing basis. Residents are encouraged to have personal articles in their rooms, which enables them to settle into familiar surroundings. Such articles may be pictures, bed covers, Afghans, radios, a favorite chair, a dresser, etc. Items of furniture must be cleared thought the Director of Resident Care’s office prior to bringing them into the Centre.

The Centre welcomes family visits as often as possible. Guests are a very important part of a resident’s life, and we encourage regular visits by relatives and friends. Accordingly, we practice an open hours visitation policy with consideration for the comfort and schedules of all residents. It is suggested that family who plan to visit after 8:00pm call the Nursing Home and advise the Charge Nurse of their plans as the doors are locked after this time.

WCP has underground visitors parking available, the entrance is off of from Sherbourne Street public parking lot is also available one block south of the Centre on Sherbourne Street. On street metered parking is available to Rekai Centre visitors.

Rekai Centre is the Resident’s Home and everyone is usually dressed in everyday clothing. An adequate supply of clothing is essential. Permanent press clothing is preferred for ease of laundering. Woolens or fine fabrics will not withstand our laundry system and we therefore suggest they not be brought in. The Centre provides wash and wear services to all Residents. Valet service is available for a modest monthly fee.
The Laundry Aide does labeling of all clothing on admission in the resident’s room.

This service is not available at the Centre as Clothing that requires dry cleaning is not recommended in a Nursing Home setting.

Every person residing in a nursing home has their rights outlined and protected by the “Residents
Bill of Rights for Nursing Home Residents”. A large print version of the Bill of rights is posted in both English and French on the main floor of the Centre and English in the Lower Level Craft Room. Click here to read them.

Each home has a Resident/Family Services Co-coordinator, who is available to provide specialized support to our residents and their family members. Their open door policy allows quick access to those who need to discuss any concerns or issues they may be experiencing. He will then access the appropriate personnel to ensure speedy resolution. His smile greets new visitors to the Centre when coming in for tours. He also work hard to facilitate a smooth transition through the admission process and co-ordinates all of the Resident Care Conferences. This role is one of a “communicator” and helps to maintain an open dialogue, which contributes to the quality of care our Residents, receive.

The homes have adopted a policy of “least Restrain”. Physical restraints are to be the absolute and final solution after all other methods to control behaviors have been exhausted.

It is our belief that residents have a right to be self-determining. No matter the purpose of restraints, they significantly impede the freedom and normal lifestyle of any person.

Our aim is to balance the resident’s control of their safety. The benefits of using restraints must be balanced against potential physical and emotional complications and personal dignity, and rights must be protected at all times
The right of freedom of movement should not be infringed.

Mail can be picked up daily at the reception desk and residents’ outgoing mail may be given to the Receptionist for mailing.

Delivery of a daily newspaper may be arranged by contacting the newspaper of your choice and arranging for home delivery.

A request for a private sitter must be discussed with the Director of Resident Care before arrangements are made. Families will be billed directly by the nursing registry of their choice for private nursing.

A physician is in the Centre on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week. Physicians are available on an on-call basis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is a physician assigned to each unit. One day each week, the physician does his/her rounds. If a resident requires medical attention when his/her physician is not in the Centre, the Charge Nurse will consult with the On-call physician to attend to the resident.

Consultation with specialist and hospital and examination visits are arranged as required. It is the responsibility of the family member to arrange with the charge Nurse Accompaniment for the resident to appointments outside the homes. The residents attending physician arrange specialist consultants.

Physiotherapy is provided to residents who have been assessed by their attending physicians. The cost of this service is covered by Ontario Health Plan.

Arrangements to have dentures made, relined, or adjusted may be made by contacting the Unit Charge Nurse or by contacting a dentist of your choice. The denture therapist will provide services within the Nursing Home. The cost of these services is the responsibility of the family. Dental services are available in the Centre through Direct Dentistry.

Care by optometrist is provided in the centre for any requiring care. The cost of these visits may be covered by Ontario Health Plan.

Medications are prescribed by the home’s Doctor only and are administered by a Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse. No medication of any kind (even over the counter remedies) may be brought to the resident or left in the resident’s room. The Ontario Drug Benefit Program does not cover all medications and there may be a charge for these prescriptions. However, families will be notified before any charges are applied.

Alcoholic Beverages

Residents may wish to continue to consume alcoholic beverages and we will attempt to meet this desire safely. Alcoholic beverages may be allowed with a physician’s written order. All spirits will be kept in the medication room for resident’s safety and dispensed by the charge nurse. In discretionary consumption of alcohol is not permitted.
Families are required to provide alcohol that is requested by the resident and on approval by the physician. Please co-operate with this policy as the mixing of alcohol with medication may produce severe reactions.

We encourage Residents to go on outings with family or friends. Please notify staffs prior to the Residents’ departure and upon the Residents’ return. Ensure that you follow the sign out procedure. Leave of absence policies are governed by provincial legislation. The policies are summarized below.

When residents from the home and not in the company of the home’s staff, a release of responsibility form must be obtained from the Unit Charge Nurse and signed by the person accompanying the resident, upon leaving and returning to the Centre.

Health permitting, residents are allowed to leave the Centre for up to 48 hours per week and still have the Ministry of Health subsidize a portion of their stay. The week begins on Sunday. Where possible, two days notice should be given to the Unit Charge Nurse. Each time a release of responsibility must be signed upon leaving and returning by the person accompanying the resident. All necessary medications will be sent with the resident for the duration of the casual leave.

This means a leave of absence for a twenty-one day period, or less, for the purpose of continued hospital care. The residents attending physician must indicate to the facility that the resident will be in a position to return to the home by the twenty first day. If the physician states otherwise, the resident or responsible party must assume, in writing, the responsibility of the full daily rate, including the Government portion, in order to hold the bed after the twenty first day. The maximum bed hold period is thirty days. The resident or responsible party may, at any point past the 21 day extended medical leave, be discharged from the Nursing Home and discontinue the bed hold.

The vacation leave of absence from the Centre is 21 days. Each resident is entitled to 21 days vacation leave on admission to the Centre, and will be able to take up to 21 days vacation leave after that. It must be noted that vacation time from one year CANNOT be accumulated to the next year.

Psychiatric leave in a hospital for up to 45 days at a time is available time to all residents of long term facilities.

It is our belief that residents have a right to be self-determining. Risks are a part of life; and as such, we would prefer an individual to move about and independently and encounter a reasonable amount of risk rather than to be restrained in any manner and be totally dependent. Safety devices such as posture pals and seatbelts are used for resident safety following a comprehensive assessment of need.

All residents are required to wear an identification bracelet. Some residents who are determined to be at risk are required to wear a special electronic bracelet that will alert the staff he/she attempts to leave the facility.

Visual surveillance of the front door is monitored by reception and Nursing. All exterior doors are alarmed to prevent unauthorized entry or exit for the security of our residents. Coded alarm systems are mounted at the entrance to each unit for the safety of our residents. All visits are required to sign in and out at the Reception desk. There is a Non-Smoking Policy in both homes.

All items of an electrical nature must be cleared through the Director of Life Safety and Environment. We do not permit the use of extension cords, octopus electrical plugs or other such devices.

Fire Drills are conducted three/month to ensure safety preparedness of residents and staff. Fire exits are located at the east and west ends of each corridor. The emergency Plan is tested on an annual basis.

Each room is equipped with at least two call bells; one located at the head of each bed, the other in the washroom. To use the call bell, just pull the cord and a signal will be alerted at the nurse’s station. A staff member will respond as quickly as possible.

The homes cannot accept responsibility for resident’s personal belongings or valuables.

We recommend that valuables including jewelry and large sums of money be kept with the responsible party. It is suggested that pin money be deposited into an interest trust account at the centre.

Name(s) and phone numbers of next of kin/representative are listed in the front of the resident’s chart. Every effort is made to notify this person in the event of resident injury or change in resident status. The person indicated as first contact would be the only person notified unless other temporary arrangements are made.

NOTE: the resident or representative must designate A primary contact. Please be sure this information is kept up to date.

If you are considering bringing food and beverages into the homes, please consult with the Charge Nurse prior to doing so. All bedside snacks that do not require refrigeration, e.g. cookies/candy must be stored in air tight or metal containers provided by the family (it is also suggested that they be dated). Some foods may require refrigeration or special storage. These will be placed in plastic containers provided by the Centre. Further, many residents are on special diets as prescribed by the physician.

The homes provide an interest-bearing bank account into which all residents monies entrusted to its care are deposited. We strongly recommend that residents use this service rather than keeping large sums of money in their room. The homes cannot be responsible for loss of money not kept in the trust account.

Certain services for residents of Long Term Care facilities are subject to charge above the amount of the monthly accommodation rate. These services are called “Uninsured Services” The charges are subject to change current rates are available upon request. Notices will be distributed to the resident and responsible parties when charges are increased.
An example of uninsured services is:

To book appointments please contact Ms Christine Kazias (Hair Stylist) at this number.