Blue Water Rest Home, long term care in Zurich ON
Discover why our Blue Water Rest Home sets the gold standard for long-term care for seniors in Huron County.
Blue Water Rest Home
Blue Water Rest Home takes pride in providing quality care and support, as a long-term care home in Huron County. Each year, the Ministry of Long-Term
Care undertakes an annual Resident Quality Inspection to ensure we meet the province’s high standards for long-term care here at Blue Water Rest Home.
Our 65-bed charitable Long-Term Care Home was selected in 2008 to be the provincial pilot project, creating the model for future long-term care renewal
across Ontario. Our not-for-profit care home was extensively redeveloped and renovated to include the latest facilities.
With views across open countryside, we’re just a short distance from Lake Huron and just outside the lovely country town of Zurich.
More about Blue Water Rest Home (BWRH)
Our Long Term Care home is supported by many departments, including Nursing, Dietary, Activation/Therapy Services, and Environmental Services.
We provide 24hr / 7 days a week care to our residents. In addition to the quality care and support provided by Nursing and Activation, our residents’ Circle of Care includes our Medical Director, Nurse Practitioner, Dietitian, and Physiotherapy services.
Our resident-centered programs focus on creating meaningful experiences, connections and relationships for our residents, so that they can live their best life until their last breath.
BWRH Residents’ Council
Blue Water Rest Home also has a highly active Residents Council, who represent all those living with us. The Council meets monthly to discuss everything from programs they would like to see, to providing feedback on meal menus to concerns.
Our Leadership Team welcomes the Council’s input, and we are committed to continually improving care, services and resident experience for all those at BWRH.
Long-term care funding
All long-term care homes in Ontario are funded and regulated by the provincial government. Some, like Blue Water Rest Home, operate on a charitable, non-profit basis.
Blue Water Rest Home accommodation rates are set by the government. How much you pay is based on the type of accommodation you choose:
- Standard (basic)
- Semi-private
- Private
You or your family can ‘upgrade’ to semi-private or private care by paying an additional fee directly to Blue Water Rest Home.
The government pays your care home direct for key elements of your care:
- Nursing and Personal Care
- Programming & Support Services
- Raw Food
- Other Accommodation
Many care homes offer ‘packages’ where you pay varying amounts for certain levels services. At BWRH, we believe in one deal for everyone, so many services are included, such as:
- Three meals a day, plus snacks
- Housekeeping
- Laundry service
- Grounds and building maintenance
- All entertainment and activities
- Seniors exercise programs (groups)
- Religious services if you wish to attend
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for help to pay the minimum costs of your care.
- If you are admitted and cannot afford the Ministry of Long-Term Care costs, you may be eligible for the Guaranteed Annual Income Supplement (GAINS).
- If you are a veteran you can apply for assistance via the Veterans Affairs Canada site.
You’ll find more details at https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-help-paying-long-term-care
For the current costs of long-term care, please see:
Admissions to Blue Water Rest Home
All applications are required to go through the Home and Community Care Support Services South West LHIN. You can visit as many care homes as you wish to find which ones might suit you best. You can select up to five different homes, and HCCSS will forward your application to all the homes on your list.
Do be aware that most care homes have a waiting list, and the wait may be longer for specific types of rooms. For details on current availability, contact 1 800-811-5146 or visit: http://healthcareathome.ca/southwest/en/Getting-Care/Getting-Long-Term-Care/Wait-List
If you’re being discharged from hospital, your discharge planner will help you be assessed and move to a LTC home if required.
Regulation and Management
Like all Ontario Long Term Care (LTC) homes, Blue Water Rest Home is regulated by the Ministry of Long-Term Care. We are annually inspected to
ensure we meet the province’s high standards for resident care.
As a charitable long-term care home in Ontario, we run on a not-for-profit basis. We are therefore accountable not only to the provincial government and the healthcare authorities, but also to our own Board of Directors.
Resident Quality of Life Survey Summary
Each year, we ask our residents who have resided with us for 3 months or longer or their families to provide feedback in the form of our Resident Quality of Life Survey.
Surveys are completed by residents who are able to understand and respond to the questions being asked. Otherwise, surveys are sent to their Power of Attorney (POA) for completion.
2023 Residents Satisfaction Survey Summary
The Resident Quality of Life Survey was provided to all residents residing at BWRH who had a CPS (Cognitive Performance Score) score of less than 3. Surveys for residents with a CPS score of 4 and above were sent to their POA for completion.
38 of 42 surveys were completed with the assistance of our summer activation student for a 90.4% return rate.
4 of 22 surveys were completed by residents POA for an 18.2% return rate.
For analysis of this survey- The first two answers (Always and Most of the time) are considered as positive responses, whereas the second two (Some of the time and Never) are considered negative responses. A subcategory of (No answer provided) was added for use if the question had no response provided.
Highlights of Resident Responses
- 89.5% of residents felt respected when cared for.
- 76.3% of residents felt they had enough variety in the meals.
- 97.6% of residents feel safe when they are alone.
- 100% of residents replied that they get the care and services they need.
- 76.3% of residents said BWRH feels like home to them.
- 97.3% of residents would recommend BWRH to others.
- indicated that the temperature of the rooms is comfortable.