Common Care Issues when Living in Residential Care: Difference between revisions

{{Legal Issues in Residential Care: An Advocate's Manual TOC}}

| width="100%" |'''Noteworthy: Written Policies''': The Residential Care Regulations require the operator to have written policies to guide staff in all matters relating to the care and supervision of persons in care ([[Chapter Four Legal Issues in Residential Care References|13]])and to make these available to the resident, or the resident’s representative, upon request. ([[Chapter Four Legal Issues in Residential Care References|14]])Whenever, staff or administration talk with a resident, family member or other support person about a policy, they should always be able to show the resident or representative what  the written policy says.  At a minimum, that can help identify people if it applies to the matter in question and what it says in the circumstances. '''That will not automatically mean the policy adheres to the law or is fair, but it can give all parties a starting point for discussions on matters such as caring and supervision.'''

Family may experience considerable frustration when they have been dealing with a long-standing problem, then hear an operator or representative from the local health authority state that “this is the first we have heard of the problem. “Lack of time, inadequate problem solving skills, poor internal communication lines, lack of appropriately trained staff and inadequate dispute resolution processes can exacerbate common communication gaps in residential care. This eventually leads some family or friends to feel any effort is futile. In other cases, they begin responding in a negative manner, with situations becoming increasingly confrontational and adversarial. If situations  deteriorate, even the skills commonly promoted as good advocacy (e.g. good note taking about the  “who, what, when  and where” of concerns, tape recordings can become perceived by the operator or authority as a sign this family member or representative is “trouble”).

| width="100%" | '''Care Plans: 81 (1) If a person in care is admitted to the community care facility for a period of more than 30 days, a licensee must ensure that a care plan for the person in care is made in accordance with this section within 30 days of admission.'''

 

 

Throughout the 2000s, a number of care facilities in British Columbia  were closed or renovated. In many circumstances, this process happened in a way that left residents and families  with little if any notice, distressed  and feeling very uncertain about the residents’ future. The  Residential Care Regulations require the  Medical  Health Officer to be informed  about  closures, but is silent  as to residents or families to this information.([[Chapter Four Legal Issues in Residential Care References|47]]) The Ombudsperson’s Best of Care report recommended that health authorities promptly inform residents and families  decisions about closure decisions.([[Chapter Four Legal Issues in Residential Care References|48]])

The Ministry of Health (Home and Community Care) Policy now has a special section on expectations of Operators and the health authorities when Operators or others are planning to close  the facility.([[Chapter Four Legal Issues in Residential Care References|49]])  At least one health authority has identified that care facilities under a certain size (125 beds) are not economically viable,  and consequently  should be closed. ([[Chapter Four Legal Issues in Residential Care References|50]])This will be a very important consideration for current and future residents.