St. Vincent’s Langara: Long-Term Care resident, family & visitor guide

We provide social work services for all residents and families. The social worker counsels individuals and families, makes referrals to appropriate community agencies and provides education to residents and families. They may also speak up for residents' and families' needs at the Family Council and Residents’ Council.  

Your social worker will conduct an initial assessment. They will gather information about your background, financial situation, social support system, strengths and achievements. They can provide counseling to help you manage stress due to illness, bereavement (grief) or a change of home. For more information, visit our Social Work section.

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A pharmacist regularly reviews all your medications. All prescribed medications are provided without charge. Please do not bring any medications with you. This includes over-the-counter drugs such as vitamins, aspirin and laxatives. If you leave for the day or overnight, we will prepare your medications in advance.

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An occupational therapist and/or physiotherapist will assess you when you move in. The therapist will assist you with seating and mobility requirements, safety needs, and recommend equipment if necessary. They help develop a care plan, including assessing you for group therapy/exercise programs. 

Rehabilitation (Rehab) assistants run social, recreational and therapeutic (healing) programs. We also have a wheelchair-accessible bus that can take you to community events. Your family and friends are encouraged to join us for events and outings. A music therapist also works with residents on a full-time basis. Therapies such as speech, massage or physiotherapy can be arranged on a fee-for-service basis. Contact the Rehab Department for more information.

Podiatry services are provided by an accredited podiatrist (physician prescription required).

We offer free interpreter services. These services help residents who do not speak or understand English well. It's important that you can understand and have conversations about your health. Interpreter Services are available 24-hours-a-day. For daily communication, we can use various tools to help such as pictures and translated cards. You or your family member can ask the health care team to request an interpreter.

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You may want to have extra care beyond what we offer at Langara. Maybe you want treatments we do not offer, such as massage, acupuncture, or reiki. It is possible to have these types of care while living here. We must approve any therapists coming into our care homes. We look at the proposed treatment to make sure it does not get in the way of the care we provide you or your overall health.

Sometimes it is difficult for family members to visit you as much as you and they would like. You and your family can hire a paid companion to visit with you, join you in activities, or just be with you. Our social workers will help connect you with companion agencies. You, or a family member, are responsible for interviewing, hiring, and paying for your companion. If you do hire a companion, please let us know who you have hired and what service they are going to give you.

Hair appointments can be made directly with the hairdresser or at the nursing station. Charges can be added to your monthly statement, or deducted from your comfort fund.

Personal laundry services are provided for residents. Clothes are picked up, laundered and returned to the resident’s room. Dry cleaning must be arranged by family members.

Wheelchair accessible courtesy phones are available throughout the residence.

Canada Post delivers mail on a regular basis to our home. We deliver your mail to you. We also have postage stamps and letter drop off locations. Ask us for the drop off location closest to your room.

Computers are welcome. Please check with our staff to see if Internet access is available.

You are welcome to have a TV in your room.  There are also large screen TV’s in the dining rooms, quiet rooms and community spaces. Many of us enjoy TV or radio. We understand how important it can be to have your own TV and radio in your room. If you would like to bring in a TV, we suggest a flat panel TV screen. These TVs are compact and help make the best use of your personal space. If you share your room, please use headphones to respect your roommate's privacy.

You are welcome to have subscriptions to newspapers and magazines to be delivered to you. You might be interested in the Vancouver Sun, The Province, Globe and Mail, or Sing Tao.

Sometimes we need to move residents from one room to another. This could be because there is a change in your health; a need for special equipment; or noises that disturb you or others. We will talk with you about why you are moving and what will need to happen. 

We might also need to move you to another care home. This could happen if:

• You are seriously ill and we agree that you need medical care beyond what we can give you. In this case, we would transfer you to a hospital.
• You need a special type of care that is only provided in certain facilities.
• You are offered a spot at another care home that you would prefer.

Our social worker works with you and your family to make these transfers as easy as possible.

Please talk with us to ensure we know your wishes for future health care treatment. This will help us if you are not able to speak or communicate for yourself. To find out more about Advanced Care Planning, click here.

At the end of life, we know that there are many different ways people wish to say goodbye to their loved ones. If you have specific expectations or wishes that you would like us to know about, please talk with us. We will do what we can to honour you and your family. Pastoral Care holds regular memorial services to say goodbye and celebrate the lives of our residents. It is our way of thanking and honouring all, be they families, friends, or staff.

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