Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions that are not covered in our policies? Please review our answers to the frequently asked questions below. You may also get in touch with us at Bay Side Home in Barrington, Nova Scotia for more information.
FAQ - When Living at Bay Side Home
FAQ - When Living at Bay Side Home
- How do I put in my request to live at Bay Side Home?
- How long will I wait before I can move in?
- What things can I bring from home?
- What things should I not bring with me?
- What services are available at Bay Side?
- What activities are available to me?
- Do I have to participate in activities?
- What is the cost to live at Bay Side? How is it paid?
- How is transportation arranged when needed?
- What is Resident Council?
- What is Family Council?
- Who will provide physician services? Can I keep my doctor?
1. How do I put in my request to live at Bay Side Home?
The first step in becoming a resident is having an assessment completed through the Department of Health.
Assessment Request: 1-800-225-7225.
Documents available:
- Meeting the requirements of placement into Long Term Care
- Financial information
2. How long will I wait before I can move in?
Wait times vary. You can expect several months wait under most circumstances.
3. What things can I bring from home?
Space is limited in the resident's room, so please be selective with what you bring. For a complete list, please contact Bay Side Home.
4. What things should I not bring with me?
All upholstered furniture and fabrics must meet fire regulations/be fire-rated. Please contact Bay Side Home before purchasing any new furnishings/fabrics for your room. All beds must use a fire retardant bedspread provided by Bay Side Home. All curtains must be fire-rated and are provided by Bay Side Home. A limited number of framed pictures can be hung on the bedroom wall. For a complete list, please contact Bay Side Home.
5. What services are available to me?
Click here to view our Services page
6. What activities are available to me?
Click here to view our Recreation Opportunities Page
7. Do I have to participate in activities?
Our residents make all of their own decisions regarding which activities they wish to participate in.
8. What is the cost to live at Bay Side Home?
The monthly cost of living at Bay Side Home is determined by the Department of Health and Wellness as part of the initial assessment. For more details, please see their website: RESIDENT CHARGE POLICY
9. How is transportation to medical/dental appointments arranged when needed?
Transportation to medical/dental appointments is the responsibility of the next of kin. Families may make arrangements directly with emergency health services for transport by ambulance if required.
10. What are resident councils?
Resident councils are monthly meetings where all residents can discuss any issues or ideas they may have regarding life at Bay Side Home. You can come and listen, have your say, suggest ideas, ask questions, and discuss your thoughts. Meetings are usually facilitated by the Director of Recreation and the President of the Resident Council.
11. What are family councils?
The family council meets bi-monthly with break over summer in the common room and is open to all families with loved ones at Bay Side Home. It is a time for you to meet with other families, voice your ideas and concerns, and also learn about the operations and upcoming events at Bay Side Home. These meetings are usually structured to run about 45 minutes and are held four times a year: January, March, May, September, and November.
Specifics regarding individual residents are not dealt with in this public forum. For families with questions specific to their loved one, an appointment can be arranged through the department manager relative to your concerns.
12. Who will provide physician services? Can I keep my doctor?
FAQ - When Visiting Bay Side Home
FAQ - When Visiting Bay Side Home
- What are the 'visiting hours'?
- Who can visit? Whom can I visit?
- How do I find where my family member/friend is?
- Where do I park when I come to visit?
- Which entrance do I use when I come to visit?
- What can I bring to my family member/ friend?
- What should I not bring?
- Can I eat with my family member/ friend?
- Can I take my family member/ friend out for a drive, etc?
- When should I not visit?
- How do I find out about special events that I can attend with my family member/ friend?
- Can I call my family member/ friend directly?
1. What are the 'visiting hours'?
Bay Side Home is "open" 24 hours a day/7 days a week. We recommend that all visiting be done at hours convenient to both your loved one and the other household residents. After 4:00 PM, entrance and exit is by means of a keypad system.
2. Who can visit? Whom can I visit?
Anyone can come to visit, and you can visit with anyone. However, residents have the final say on who they wish to see and when. Bay Side Home is our resident's home.
3. How do I find where my family member/friend is?
Any of the staff at Bay Side Home will be able to direct you to your loved one's household. There is also a directory in the entry way, on the sign-in table. During business hours, the administration clerk is also available to assist.
4. Where do I park when I come to visit?
Visitor parking is provided at the first entrance, complete with handicap spaces. If dropping others off, there is a thruway at the front entrance allowing you to drive right up to the entry for the ease of your passengers. Staff parking is located at the rear lot (second entrance).
5. Which entrance do I use when I come to visit?
The visitors’ entrance is at the first entrance, directly off the visitors’ parking lot. Upon entry, you will find yourself in the main foyer, the connector between all households and the common areas. The business office is to the right.
6. What can I bring to my family member/ friend?
Your visit is probably the most important thing for them. Some suggestions are: a favourite food, picture of loved ones, a small plant or books of interest to them. However, if you do want to bring something, please remember the space limitations as well as the less scent and fire code requirements. If in doubt, you can call ahead and check with the administration.
7. What should I not bring?
Some things that may not be appropriate to bring include: heavily scented items, large and bulky items, and any item that poses a safety risk. If in doubt, please contact the administration.
8. Can I eat with my family member/ friend?
We welcome guests to stay for dinner or supper. Guest meal tickets can be purchased during normal business hours at the front desk. The cost of a dinner ticket is $3.50 and a supper ticket is $2.50. Each household has the daily menu selections posted. Please advise the household staff if you are staying and which meal selection you prefer. A 1-hour advanced notice is requested.
9. Can I take my family member/ friend out for a drive, etc.?
Yes, there is a form that needs to be signed before a resident leaves for any outing. Please enquire of the nurse in charge.
10. When should I not visit?
Please refrain from visiting if you are sick or not feeling well.
11. How do I find out about special events that I can attend with my family member/friend?
Bay Side Home posts a monthly events calendar which is available, posted in all households, and may be picked up at the front entry. We greatly encourage families and friends to participate in and attend all special events.
12. Can I call my family member/friend directly?
If your loved one has his/her own phone you can call them directly. Otherwise you can call our main number (902-637-2098) and ask to be transferred to their household phone.
Tips for Quality Visits
Tips for Quality Visits
- Sit and talk with your loved ones, ask how she/he is and tell them how you are, sit at your loved one's level, and make eye contact.
- Bring friends and family members to visit: Don't forget children and old friends.
- Visit another resident together or the pets we have.
- Attend a scheduled recreation program.
- Provide personal care involving human touch: Hair care, manicures, hand lotion rubs or mini massages. Bring your loved one a new hat, scarf, piece of jewellery.
- Eat a meal or snack together.
- Bring photos and letters to read together (either old familiar ones or recent ones).
- Bring simple tasks to share: Use your loved one's address book to send postcards/greeting cards to family and friends; bring small projects such as mending or stuffing envelopes that they may want to help with or have an interest in what you are doing; bring your old cook books and find the perfect recipe for a social gathering together.
- Watch a TV show or video together and talk about it.
- Read the daily newspaper, magazines, short stories, poetry according to your loved one's preference.
- Play games: Checkers, cards, simple jig saw puzzles, word search quizzes - ask recreation department for loan of these types of items.
- Exercise: Nursing, physiotherapy, or recreation staff may be able to suggest simple and gentle exercises.
- Ask questions: Ask your loved one something you have always wanted to know about him/her, and tape some of these memories as part of a family history.
- Outings: Go for a walk, a meal or shopping, or a scenic drive; take your family member with you when you run errands for company and a change of pace; visit the outdoors in our courtyards if the weather permits.