The Centre has a total of 128 funded beds, including 6 DVA beds. We have 20 private rooms, 72 semi-private beds (36 rooms with 2 beds per room) and 36 ward beds (9 rooms with 4 beds per room). We do not have any designated “couple” rooms, but we do our best to accommodate individual requests.
Rooms are assigned to new residents with consideration of their medical health care needs, their emotional and social needs, and whenever possible, their personal preferences. Because this must also be done with the needs of present residents in mind, our staff must be the ones to make this decision.
It is sometimes necessary to move residents from one room to another, from one floor to another, or from one unit to another. We must have this flexibility in order to deliver the best possible care to all residents. Residents and/or family members will be informed of any move in advance, and consulted regarding a possible move whenever possible. However, because we must consider the needs of all residents, the final decision must rest with the care team.
If a resident wishes to move from a room, the Resident Services Coordinator for the unit should be told. If the move is to a different type of room in Complex Care (i.e. between a ward, semi-private, or private room), the resident's name will be placed on a waitlist; however, consideration of the needs of a new resident may take precedence over a request for an internal move.
Decorating of Rooms
All rooms have an adjustable hospital bed, built-in bedside table and closet and built-in over bed lamp. All bed linens and bath towels are also provided and laundered by the Centre. Most residents like to bring some of their own items to make their rooms homey. These are usually pictures, a bedspread, mementoes, hobby supplies, television, radio, and sometimes a favourite chair. For safety reasons, any such personal items must be cleared by our Environmental Services Department before being placed in the resident's room.
To help avoid disappointment, it is recommended that Environmental Services be contacted prior to admission to have the items approved; they can be contacted by phoning the St. Michael's Centre number. Due to limited space, personal items cannot be stored at St. Michael's Centre. It is also recommended that all personal effects are marked for identification.
If residency is terminated, the resident or family must remove all personal items as soon as possible and ideally within 24 hours.
Electrical Items
The safety of all residents must be considered when electrical items are brought into St. Michael's Centre for the personal use of residents. Certain electrical items that are a potential fire hazard cannot be allowed in resident's rooms. We realize that the use of some of these items is something to which you may be accustomed, and that you may miss having them. Still, the potential fire hazard cannot be risked. We will make every effort to make you feel comfortable by other means.
Items which cannot be allowed in resident rooms:
electric heating pads
electric blankets
electric massagers
electric kettles
electric toasters
electric ovens
electric hot plates
electric irons
electric freezers
extension cords and electrical multi-plug adapters.
Items which can be allowed in resident rooms (after safety inspection and CSA approval):
electric razors
electric hair dryers
small portable radios
small portable televisions
other small audio/video equipment
power bars/surge protectors
Items which may be considered acceptable:
sewing machines
electric keyboards (low voltage styles only)
computers
small refrigerators (2 cubic feet or less).
In addition to electrical safety and CSA compliance, available space in the resident rooms will also be a factor in determining suitability of these items.
Equipment
Aids to walking (walker, cane, and wheelchair) may be brought to St. Michael's Centre, and should be marked for personal identification. For the safety of all residents, residents with electric wheelchairs and scooters will be asked to take a “driving test” with the Therapies Department. Those residents unable to operate such aids with safety will be asked to not use them.
Personal Effects & Clothing
Following are lists of clothing articles that we suggest that residents have. The items and quantities suggested were chosen because we feel they will be the most practical and comfortable for the lifestyle that residents have at St. Michael's Centre. All articles should be machine washable and permanent press, as any hand-washable or 'dry cleanable' items cannot be cleaned by our laundry, and will have to be cleaned by the resident or the family.
Suggested clothing list:
6 - 8
Complete outfits
For women: blouses & slacks, dresses or jogging suits
For men: shirts & pants or jogging suits
1
Dress outfit
For women: 'Dressy' dress or pant suit
For men: dress slacks, shirt & jacket
4
Sweaters with front buttons/zipper
7+
Pairs of socks or knee-high stockings
7
Pairs of underpants (if worn)
4
Bras (if worn)
6
Undershirts (if worn)
3
Slips (if worn)
6
Night-gowns or pajamas (or the Centre’s nightgowns can be used)
1
Long housecoat
2
Pairs of non-slip slippers
1
Pair of running shoes
1
Medium weight jacket/coat
1
Heavy (winter) jacket/coat
1
winter hat
1
winter scarf
1
Pair of warm gloves.
Note: Use of clothing varies greatly from resident to resident depending on their abilities. Even more clothing may be required for some residents if frequent changes are required.
Suggested grooming articles:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste and/or denture cleaner
Brush and comb
Electric razor and ‘after shave’
Deodorant
Kleenex
Powder
Perfume/Cologne (if worn)
Makeup
Hair accessories (bobby pins, barrettes, etc.)
Labeling
Clothing and other personal effects can be lost or misplaced. Labeling does not guarantee their return, however it does make it more likely. Items found will be returned to their owner. We therefore feel it is essential that the following items be marked for identification:
Clothing:
Clothes can be labeled with either a laundry-marking pen, or with sew-on labels. Both are available from the notions department of the larger department stores. Personal labels take at least 4 weeks to be delivered. Marking pens can be obtained and used without delay. Please put both your full name and the initials SMC on each piece of clothing.
Dentures:
Dental labs mark dentures for a fee. Marking of dentures is money well spent, because matching an unmarked denture to its owner is virtually impossible.
Eyeglasses:
Eyeglasses can be marked by your optician, or at any eyewear store. There is usually a fee for this also.
Other Personal Effects:
All personal effects such as aids (canes, walkers, wheelchairs, hearing aids) or small electrical equipment (radios, TV's, razors, hairdryers) can be labeled with a marking pen, engraving pen, or marking pen on strong tape.
Personal decorative or sentimental items should be marked wherever possible.
