RENOVATIONS:
We retained a technical specialist's services for the Laundry. We are exploring new equipment selections and layouts that will improve function, working conditions, and results.
The Wales recognizes the increased importance of providing intermediate care to its residents and the wider community. Intermediate healthcare services are greatly lacking in our society and within our own building. Central is currently being converted to an intermediate care (R.I.) unit which will not only provide an additional level of care at the Wales, but also an unprecedented resource for the Anglophone community of Québec; the Wales Home's R.I. will be the first in the Val Saint-François regional county municipality and the first Anglophone unit in the entire Estrie region.
The Wales R.I. project is slated to be complete this month. Once we have proper staffing, the unit will then open to residents from our ambulatoryunits who require this level of care, most likely in December 2020 or January 2021. The R.I. will be aimed towards semi-autonomous seniors who do not meet CHSLD criteria but need supervision and services that cannot be provided on the ambulatory units. Our new unit is designed to accommodate twelve residents with a private bedroom and washroom, along with care and services that fit their needs. This project will revitalize the oldest unit in the Wales Home building, which was erected in 1921, and will be a permanent installation in the Résidence Wales Home. The Government is anxious for the Wales to have sufficient staff as they will subsidize the twelve R.I. beds. The professional services will be provided by the CIUSSS/CLSC, including nursing care, therapy, social work, and more. The Wales will be responsible for housekeeping, laundry, food services, and caregiving.
Twelve large private bedrooms to improve infection control |
Adjoining private, wheelchair-accessible washrooms |
Ceiling lifts in select bedrooms/washrooms for physical impairments |
New ventilation in rooms and hallways for improved temperature control and air quality |
Laundry chute for improved work efficiency |
New state-of-the-art whirlpool room for a more relaxing bathing experience |
Coded doors to ensure safety/security |
“Maison des aînés” standard-design |
Large common area for complementary therapies |
Until the unit can be staffed, the Wales Home will designate Central its "Hot Zone" should we have a positive COVID-19 case.
PLUMBING AND HVAC FOR THE CENTRAL PROJECT:
Ventilation for basement level storage area, food services office, and new storage:
This previous receiving area was not fitted with any outside air ventilation. A dedicated residential sclae heat recovery unit is currently being installed to provide appropriate ventilation of this former receiving and now storage room, adjoining office, and new storage room beneath the solarium.
Ventilation for Main Living Room and offices:
This existing level was not fitted with any outside air ventilation. A 1,400 CFM ventilation unit is currently being installed on the solarium roof. This system will include exhaust air heat recovery of ninety percent and artificial cooling of outside air. Ductwork is currently being installed to service offices at this level. Existing modular recirculating air conditioning units will be retained.
Ventilation for Central resident rooms:
The same technical standard as installed for the Norton expansion will apply. Two ventilation temperature control zones will be created, thus enabling some similar bedroom comfort cooling now delivered at Norton by way of radiant panels and the geo-exchange system. Outside air will now be introduced to the dining/living room, thus improving air quality and the amount of outside air to bedrooms will also generally be increased. This air supply will be appropriately filtered and humidified, thus reducing the risk or spread of respiratory illnesses and the air will be cooled, avoiding the delivery of hot outside air to bedrooms.
ACCREDITATION:
Every five years, long-term care facilities in Québec must undergo an Accreditation process. Accreditation is an ongoing method of assessing heatlh and social services against standards of excellence to identify what is being done well and what needs to be improved. Actions involve the organization’s members, from the Board of Directors to frontline staff and community members including residents, family members, and local partners. Case studies allow the organization to understand how to make better use of resources, increase efficiency, enhance quality and safety, and reduce risk. Erica Vander Wal is completing the CHSLD Wales 2020 CQA Accreditation process; the file is seventy-five percent complete. Due to COVID-19, the CQA has given the CHSLD Wales an extension to complete the dossier by the end of October 2020.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try." - John F. Kennedy
Brendalee Piironen
Executive Director
819-826-3266 extension 247