Susan White says the long-term care home is at about 97.3 per cent occupancy right now and this level or higher needs to be maintained. “We want to see those numbers strong,” says Susan.

If occupancy at a home falls below 97 per cent, the government funding to the home is reduced. When that happens, staffing levels often have to be re-evaluated. With staffing affected, this could increase staff workloads as well as reduce the time that staff have to spend with the residents.

The home is also working hard at getting their redecorating finished, an initiative that was started some time ago but was delayed because of a flu outbreak. “That’s one of our priorities right now,” says Susan.

Something that has been good for residents from a recreational point of view, according to Susan, is the home’s old computer. Since home office got the 44-bed home a new system, the old computer became available for resident use. Carol Anne Frost, a health care aide at the home, set up the system in the lounge with games for residents to use.

“She knows someone locally who will be upgrading the system for us for free for the residents. They’re really enjoying it already so this has been a welcome addition to the home,” says Susan.

With accreditation around the corner in April and Tena and multidose both beginning in May, the administrator says these projects will dominate the home’s priorities in the months to come.