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 the SHA. All homes focus on providing quality care and supporting quality of life for residents.
All Special-care Homes and other designated facilities that provide this care must operate in accordance with the standards set out in this document. Download the program guidelines for more information.
Program Guidelines for Special-care Homes (Ministry of Health) Accessing Long-term Care
Resident-Family Centred 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. Connections and building relationships is integral to establishing a resident and family centred culture within the home and to creating a harmonious community environment.
Resident-family centred care is an approach to providing respectful, compassionate, culturally safe and competent care in a home-like setting. Care provided is responsive to the values, cultural backgrounds, beliefs and preferences of the residents and their family members. When staff work collaboratively with the resident, the resident is encouraged to make decisions affecting his/her care, feel included, and encouraged to participate in the activities offered.
It is also recognized that not all residents are capable of communicating their needs as they have in the past. Care providers strive to know each resident and will respect their individuality. This means connecting with residents on an emotional, spiritual level and honouring all traditions and cultures. In an effort to know and understand residents and their unique needs as much as possible, care team members may connect with, essential care partners, those that are specific to the resident’s choice.
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
Essential Family/Support person(s) enhance the care and well being of their loved ones as they:
- participate in decision-making with the resident/patient;
- serve as an essential part of the care team; and
- assist with quality of life or care needs
Visitor(s) are people who:
- are not involved in the caregiving or decision-making; and
- provide a non-essential social visit