Our Services Centre Tour News & Events Resources Join Our Team Contact Us
Golden Door Geriatric Centre

Our Services
Moving In

Golden Door Geriatric Centre may be the most appropriate care setting when your health needs can no longer be managed within your home. To decide if the Golden Door Geriatric Centre is right for you or your family member, please call us at (204) 269-6308 to arrange for a tour of our home.

If you are living at home and receiving home care support, an application to move into a personal care home is initiated through your Home Care Case Coordinator. If you are not receiving Home Care, your doctor, a health care worker or family member can contact the WRHA Home Care Intake Line at (204) 788-8330 for more information.

For people who are currently in hospital, your health assessment is completed by the hospital team. The Social Worker / Coordinator will assist you to access an appropriate care setting (supportive housing, group living facilities and specialized support). Eligibility
To be eligible for personal care home services you must be:
  • Manitoba residents with a Manitoba health card
  • People who have previously lived in Manitoba for 10 years and have been absent from the province for less than 10 years (you are eligible on the date of your return to Manitoba)
  • People who are new to Manitoba after living in the province for 24 consecutive months
Your application for admission to a Personal Care Home is reviewed/approved by an assessment panel of the Regional Health Authority. The panel looks at available options to help seniors “age in place” in their communities.


Personal Care Services – Daily Residential Charge
Personal care services assist Manitobans who can no longer remain safely at home because of a disability or their health care needs. Personal care services are offered throughout Manitoba. These services include:
  • Standard room
  • Meals (including meals for special diets);
  • Assistance with daily living activities like bathing, getting dressed and using the bathroom;
  • Basic nursing care;
  • Routine medical and surgical supplies;
  • Prescription drugs eligible under the Pharmacare Program;
  • Occupational therapy, and physiotherapy;
  • Routine laundry and housekeeping services.
The cost of someone residing in a personal care home is shared by the provincial government (Manitoba Health and Healthy Living) and the client who needs the services. Manitoba Health and Healthy Living pays the majority of the cost through the Regional Health Authorities. The Resident pays a portion of the cost of services.  This portion is referred to as the daily residential charge. For up to date information and a daily charge calculator, please visit the Manitoba Health Personal Care Services website.



Waiting Period
When your application has been approved, there may be a waiting period before you can move in. Your name is placed on a wait list for each of the personal care homes you have selected as your preferred choices, and remains there until you move into the home you have chosen as your first choice. The waiting time can vary from a few days to months depending on bed availability. If it is necessary that you move immediately, or are in hospital awaiting placement, you may be asked to accept a place in a different facility until you can move to the personal care home of your choice.

The Long Term Care Access Centre is responsible for ensuring clients have access to long term care services that are most appropriate to their needs, and maintaining wait lists for personal care homes.



Preparing to Move
When your name is near the top of the wait list for Golden Door Geriatric Centre, your application is forwarded to us by the Long Term Access Centre. One of our Care Coordinators will meet with you and your family to discuss your care needs and arrange your move in date.

Golden Door Geriatric Centre is divided into three neighbourhoods and accommodates 78 Residents in two types of furnished rooms – 28 semi-private rooms and 22 private rooms. New Residents move into in a semi-private room. Residents can request to be transferred to a single room, and their name will be put on the waiting list. Some Residents find that sharing a room provides companionship, while others prefer the privacy of a single room. We will make every effort to accommodate the wishes of each Resident, with consideration for the needs of all Residents.

Furnishings provided include a bed and bedside table, dresser, clothes closet, bed linen and a comfortable chair. Residents are encouraged to personalize their space by bringing in some of their own belongings. Suggested items are: comforter, bedside lamp, TV, pictures, and plants.



What to Expect on Moving Day
The staff would like to make your admission a positive and personal experience for you and your family.

After you arrive to your room, you will be introduced to your room mate, given a tour of your room layout including bathroom and how to call for assistance. A tour of the facility will be provided to familiarize you with our bathing facilities, dining room, lounges, recreation areas and safety and security measures.

You will be introduced to staff and other residents to help you feel comfortable in your new surroundings.

Our staff will help you unpack and record all your belongings. All clothing and personal belongings will need be labeled including your dentures, glasses and hearing aids. Your family can assist by labeling personal belongings prior to admission with a permanent marker. Clothing will be labeled with a cloth label on admission. A fee will be charged for these labels. We do not encourage you to keep money or items of great value in your room.

If you choose to keep these items in your room a locking drawer is provided in your bedside table. The key can be requested from the Business Office. There is a deposit fee for the key and the deposit is refunded upon the return of this key.

One of our three physicians will be assigned to look after you. You may keep your own physician if he/she is willing to visit the Centre on a regular basis and sign an agreement with the facility.

Information obtained from you and your family during the preadmission visit will be used to begin the care planning process. A nurse will continue your care planning process with you and your family input. Our goal is to meet your needs with you and your family participation.

A food service staff member or nurse will discuss your food likes and dislikes plus any diet or food restrictions you have.

A staff member will help you fill out the necessary admission forms and will take your picture for our records.



Information to Bring
Please bring this information with you on moving day:
  • Notice of Assessment (income taxes) for the previous year for both the Resident and the Spouse (if married).
  • Rate information, if established at another personal care home
  • A copy of lawyer appointed Power of Attorney
  • A copy of any Extended Health Coverage (i.e. Blue Cross)
  • Your Manitoba Health and Personal Health Identification Number
  • Your Handi Transit number (if obtained)
If you have made a Living Will (Health Care Directive) please bring it with you. When you move in, you will be asked if you have a Health Care Directive and if not, what your wishes are in the event that you become unable to make decisions about your care.

The Legal Information Guide for Seniors includes information on wills, power of attorney, and health care directives, and it is available on the Manitoba Seniors and Healthy Aging Secretariat website. You can also obtain a copy of the Legislation pertaining to the Health Care Directive and a form that can be used from your local Public Health office or from Golden Door.



Clothing and Personal Items to Bring
Please bring an adequate supply of washable clothing with you.  You will be up and about most of the day and will need a selection of clothing.  You will also need seasonal outdoor clothes. 

When you arrive at Golden Door Geriatric Centre, all clothing will be labeled with your name.  Whenever you receive new clothing, please leave them with the staff to arrange labeling.  A fee is charged at admission for labels and periodically during your stay.

All clothing must be a wash-and-wear type and will be laundered on site.

There is limited personal closet and shelf space available.  It may be advisable to store your seasonal clothing with family if possible.  Please do not bring in woolens or hand washable items.

Five complete changes of clothes consisting of:
  • dresses/shirts/blouses/slacks
  • underwear (6 changes)
  • socks/stockings
  • shoes with a firm sole and comfortable low heel
  • slippers that won't be slippery (not open back slippers)
  • pyjamas/nightgowns
  • 2 housecoats
Toiletries:
  • hairbrush, comb and nail clippers
  • deodorant
  • toothbrush, toothpaste, denture cleaner and mouthwash
  • facial and hand creams
  • cosmetics
  • facial tissue
  • shaver
We encourage you to bring personal items such as photographs, plants, a favorite fire retardant blanket or bedspread.  Please check with the Care Coordinator about other items you may wish to bring with you.  If you wish to hang pictures on your wall, please let nursing staff know and they will have maintenance assist you.

All electrical appliances such as televisions must be CSA approved and checked by GDGC maintenance department before you plug them in.

You may bring a flat screen TV to be mounted on the wall. The size should be between 26 - 40 inches (37 1/2 inches long by 24 inches high). Our maintenance personnel will mount your TV on a bracket (which Golden Door will supply for this purpose).

Personal Equipment:

If you are now using any aids such as glasses, a hearing aid, wheelchair, cane or walker, please bring them with you. If possible, include place of purchase in the event repairs are required to these items.

After your admission, you may need to purchase personal equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers and canes.  Our Rehab Assistant and Occupational Therapist will help you decide the most suitable equipment for you.  All personal equipment should be labeled with your name.

Note:  Every effort is made by the Centre to protect your personal items, but we regret that it is impossible for the Centre to assume any responsibility for loss or damage that may occur.

Any insurance on the personal property of the Resident is to be arranged by the Resident or responsible person. The cost of this insurance is the responsibility of the Resident.

For safety reasons, the following items cannot be brought in:
  • large household furniture
  • any rugs or mats
  • kettle, hot plate, toaster
  • electric blankets/heaters
  • iron
  • humidifier

Your room's furniture includes:

  • chest of drawers
  • a hospital style bed
  • a bedside table
Every effort will be made to accommodate personal furnishings.

With the changes of seasons you will need:

Summer:
  • sun hat or cap             
  • light sweaters
  • light jacket or coat                                                                                                                                      
Winter:
  • warm hat
  • warm sweater
  • warm jacket or coat
  • winter boots
  • gloves and scarf
At the end of each season closets can be emptied and replaced with clothes for the next season.

The facility does not have any storage capacity for personal effects other than what is available in your room.




How Family and Friends Can Help
The support of family and friends is very important. Moving to a Personal Care Home represents a very big change or transition in a person’s lifestyle. Here are a few suggestions on how you can help:
  • Have some personal belongings set up in the Resident’s room prior to the move
  • Bring flowers or a small gift to brighten their room
  • Speak with a Care Coordinator to ensure preferences are known
  • Act as an escort for outside appointments – e.g. eye doctors, specialists, etc.
  • Participate in care conferences
  • Purchase or alter clothing to ensure it is comfortable
  • Replenish toiletry needs
  • Take your loved one on outings, such as drives, church services
  • Visit regularly
  • Encourage children and grandchildren to visit
  • Bring family pets on leashes, for a visit
  • Participate in Recreation outings as a companion for your loved one
  • Celebrate birthdays, and join in the Resident’s Birthday Party at our Home
  • Join in Resident/Family Council meetings when possible
  • Participate in Resident/Family Satisfaction Surveys
  • Ensure Team Leaders, Care Coordinators, or Director of Care is aware of any concerns
We welcome the involvement of family and friends in our care planning processes, the Resident/Family Council, as well as activities and outings. Our staff is available to discuss issues, keep families informed, and to support your efforts to ensure your family members are provided with quality care.