Frequently Asked Questions by Family Members
1. What is the Family and Friends Sharing and Caring Group?
The Group meets on a regular basis to provide support and encouragement to family and friends of the residents of Langley Lodge (please see terms of reference). The Group allows family members and friends to feel less alone and isolated. It provides an opportunity to speak freely about problems, thereby releasing some of the tension. Frequently, one or more individuals will have encountered the same situation, or a similar one, and may have helpful suggestions.
2. If there are medication changes for a Resident, how is the family involved in the decision making and how are they informed?
If your loved one is still under the care of your family physician, then it is best to directly contact the physician and discuss changes. If the resident is under the care of Dr.Fagan, family can contact Susan and she can forward the message. It may take a few days to hear back from the doctor. There is also a Nurse Practitioner who works with Dr. Fagan, who may also respond to your questions.
3. How do I arrange to have a meal with a resident at Langley Lodge? What options are available?
- Family and friends are welcome to join their loved one for any meal. In order to facilitate this, please reserve a place in advance and purchase a meal ticket from Reception at least one hour before lunch and 1 ½ hours before dinner. If you want to have more than 3 guests, please contact Reception a day in advance. Meal times are: Breakfast – 8:30 a.m. Lunch – 12:15 and Dinner 5:00 p.m. Sometimes, due to limited space and prior reservations, your request may not always be accommodated.
4. If I have a concern regarding the care of my loved one at Langley Lodge, who do I contact?
- If you have questions or concerns about your loved ones care, please speak first of all to one of the staff that is caring for your loved one, or the Nurse in charge on the floor on which your loved one is a resident. It is always best to talk about your concerns at the time and the place where those concerns originated.
- If following this discussion, you still have concerns please contact our Resident Care Coordinator at (604) 532-4158
- If your concerns are still unresolved, then contact Lisa Samms-Maxwell, Director of Care at 604-532-4212 or lsamms@langleylodge.org
5. How can I help my family member/friend settle in at Langley Lodge?
The first days are always a challenge for anyone moving into a new home. Having items in the room that are personal in nature is helpful. As well, check out the activities that are planned, and take your loved one to those activities and get to know some of the residents that attend. It is often difficult for someone to go to an activity if they don’t know anyone there. The family or friends can help with making the resident feel they are part of things by attending with them.
6. I find it so hard to visit with my loved one, as they don’t respond any more. What should I do?
This is a common concern of many families and friends. Some ideas are:
- Bring in family photo albums to look through and talk about what was happening in the pictures.
- Plan to take your family member outside (weather permitting) or to an activity that is planned by the Recreation Team, or go to the Bistro and have coffee and look at one of the local newspapers together.
- In the dining rooms on the various floors of Langley Lodge are picture books that you can look at together.
7. When can I expect to be invited to a Care Conference for my family member?
Family members will be invited to attend a care conference with the resident and the care team usually within 6 weeks of admission. This provides the opportunity for the care team to get to know the resident, and to provide a full assessment as to how things are going.
Care conferences are conducted at least annually following the first conference.
8. What are the “rules” around use of the kitchen facilities on the floors and the Bistro on the main lounge?
The Bistro on the main floor has complimentary tea and coffee available. You are welcome to help yourself, and to bring your loved one to the Bistro for a visit. If you bring in food, please do not share with any of the other residents, as they may have special dietary needs that you may not be aware of.
Each floor has a kitchen that has kettles and coffee makers available for use. There are also Styrofoam cups. You will need to bring in your own tea, coffee, milk, and sugar. Often families will have a small selection of teas and coffees, along with cups and sugar in the resident’s room that they can use when they visit.
You are welcome to bring in food for your loved one and place it in the fridge. Please be sure to label the food with the resident’s name, and place a date on it, to insure those food items that can spoil are properly discarded when no longer safe to eat.
9. Who do I contact if I want to have my loved one moved to another floor or room?
If you are interested in a room change, please contact the Director of Care, Lisa-Samms-Maxwell, 604.530.2305 ext 4212 or the nurse on the floor.
10. What is the process to take my loved one out of Langley Lodge for an outing?
You are welcome to take your loved one outside for a walk (or wheelchair ride) in the beautiful garden just outside the lounge on the main floor. You are also free to take them out and about the neighbourhood, weather permitting. If you do leave the grounds of the Langley Lodge, please be sure to sign the book that is kept opposite the reception desk to indicate that you are taking your loved one out.
If you are planning on taking your loved one out for a longer period, please be sure to check with the care to staff to determine whether or not you need to give medication to the residents when they are away. They can prepare this for you. It is best to give them a “heads-up” so that they can prepare the medication in advance.
11. What does it mean when someone is to receive “Palliative Care” here at Langley Lodge?
The decision to place someone on palliative care is always made in collaboration between the family, resident and care team. The term palliative care is an approach to increase your loved ones quality of life during last days of their lives, with a focus on comfort and pain control. Your loved one will remain in their room and care will be provided as usual, but the emphasis will be on:
- Relief from pain and distress by providing comfort care to your loved one.
- Personalized support and respite for your family. This includes discussions with the family having Hospice volunteers involved as part of the care plan
- Interventions that will prolong life will not be provided
If you have any questions or concerns about your loved one receiving palliative care please contact our Resident Care Coordinator at 604-532-4158
12. What is adaptive clothing and where can I purchase some for my loved one?
Adaptive clothing is used for many reasons which include; safety, difficulty dressing, ease of toileting, and dressing when overhead lifts are required.
There are many providers, some examples are
- www.debralynncreations.ca (604) 596-5320.
- www.silverts.com 1-800-387-7008
- http://www.gerifashions.com 1-800-361-4374
13. Is it possible for a loved one to sleep over with their family member who is living at Langley Lodge? How can this be arranged?
You can stay overnight if your loved one is receiving palliative care. Please speak to your nurse and a cot can be arranged for overnight stays.