Long-Term Care
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is home to more than 8,200 individuals living in 157 long-term care homes. You will hear these sometimes referred to as Special-care Homes. A Special-care Home is the legal entity within which long-term care services are provided.
Within the SHA, some homes are owned and operated by the SHA and some homes have a contract with the SHA to deliver care. These homes are called Affiliates.
Affiliate homes are responsible to a Board of Directors and also to Saskatchewan Health Authority. All homes focus on providing quality care and providing quality of life for residents.
Resident directed care
Creating a sense of community is the aim of every long-term care home within the SHA. Like all communities, each home is unique and has a culture with distinct qualities, characteristics and members. People living in our long-term care homes and their families give us the guidance we need to improve the care we provide and create a place that has the warmth of home.
Resident directed care places maximum possible decision making into the hands of the residents. This means that residents direct their own care. Relationships and choice are of greatest value. Resident directed care occurs when care team members encourage independence and support residents to participate in decisions affecting their environment; their home.
It is also recognized that not all residents are capable of communicating their needs as they have in the past. Care providers commit to know each resident and will respect their individuality. This means connecting with residents on an emotional level and honouring their choices. In an effort to know and understand residents and their unique needs as much as possible, care providers may connect with family, friends and other care providers.
Individuals living in long-term care range in age from children to elderly. Care and services are planned and provided according to the needs of the individual. In addition to residential care, long-term care homes may provide other services including:
- Community Day Program
- Respite
- Re-enablement Programs