FAQs

Long-term care facilities, or nursing homes as they are often referred to, are designed for ailing individuals who don’t need to be in a hospital but can’t be cared for at home or in an independent living facility due to physical or psychological limitations. Long-term facilities provide around-the-clock nursing and personal care services. People living in retirement properties and/or age-restricted communities are typically more active and don’t require as much individual care.

There are 5 care neighbourhoods, 4 accommodating 25 residents each and 1 with 21 residents; for a total of 121 beds.

The 2 East care neighbourhood is secure to meet the needs of residents with dementia.

Hillel Lodge is a culturally designated long-term care facility. By choosing Hillel Lodge, residents can look forward to joining an environment that wholeheartedly embraces and supports Jewish culture, values, and traditions, such as: exclusively Kosher food, celebrating Jewish holidays, and observances and engaging in Jewish specific recreational programs.

We invite residents of all faiths to apply; however, please note that we serve kosher food exclusively, incorporate Jewish culture and spiritual guidance into our programming, and observe Jewish holidays.

We have many programs designed to meet the interests of our residents. Our calendars are posted throughout the home and online. When you move in, the recreation team will meet with you to learn about you and will match you with programs that fit your interests. The recreation team works together to ensure residents physical, social, and mental healthcare needs are met.

Our home is a designated Jewish home. We have weekly Orthodox Shabbot services on Saturday and services on Holy Days held in our Synagogue. A rotation of Christian clergy visit the home and provide services. We want to meet your religious and spiritual needs, so if our current religious offerings do not meet your needs, please let the social worker know.

All applications for long-term care are submitted through your local Home and Community Care Support Services. Home and Community Care assess an individual’s eligibility for long-term care and manages the wait list for Hillel Lodge.

This is your home, and we want you to enjoy your independence and spend quality time with friends and family whenever you want. Friends and families are allowed to visit residents 24 hours a day as per our visitor policy. It is however preferable for visits to occur when we have a receptionist, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. Anyone visiting outside of those hours will have to use the buzzer at the front door and speak to the Charge RN.

You are welcome to leave the home for up to 48 hours each week, for casual absences or short trips. Vacation leaves up to 21 days in a calendar year are available in addition to casual and medical leaves.

Your pets cannot move in with you, but they are welcome to visit any time! Dogs must be on a leash and show proof of immunizations.

We offer a variety of room types tailored to individual needs: 75 private rooms, each with a private washroom; 18 semi-private rooms with shared washrooms; and 14 shared or basic rooms that accommodate two beds per room with shared washrooms.

Basic accommodations include a bathroom and bed/living space shared between two people. Each resident has a personal space divided by a curtain or wall.

We provide a bed, mattress, pillows, bed linen, washcloths and towels, bedside table, chair and wardrobe or closet.

The furniture currently in the room cannot be removed. You are welcome to bring your pictures, blankets, and special items to help you to personalize the room and feel at home. For safety reasons, the room cannot be overcrowded so please be mindful of this when moving in.

These services are not included in the accommodation fees. There is guest WiFi available with limited bandwidth. For residents who would like full access to the internet we recommend purchasing an internet package. Residents can bring their own television. Both Bell and Rogers lines are wired into the rooms for cable, internet, and landlines.

Nursing and personal care are provided for all residents around-the-clock. Rooms and washrooms have call bells for residents to receive assistance. Our nursing team is made up of personal support workers (PSWs), registered practical nurses (RPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). They are led by our Director of Care. The nursing team provides 24-hour clinical care. PSWs provide support with activities of daily living and the registered staff supervise the neighbourhood and administer all medications and treatment ordered by the physician.

Hillel Lodge has five physicians who each have a roster of residents and share the responsibility of 24/7 on-call.

You are automatically matched to one of our five in-house physicians when you move into Hillel Lodge unless you request to keep your own doctor. You have the right to retain your own physician if your doctor is available 24/7 to the nursing staff.

In cases of emergency the appropriate team member is assigned to provide the best care possible. If you choose, we will notify your family about what is happening with your care, including if you have been transferred to the hospital.

Palliative care is a person-centred philosophy that focuses on your quality of life and supporting you in your life choices while living in long-term care.

We review and assess your care needs when we receive your application from Home and Community Care Support Services. In discussion with you, we develop care options that best suit your needs.

Absolutely! Hillel Lodge prides itself on being person-centred. This means you can include anyone you want in your care planning. This may include friends or family. On move in day, our admissions nurse will review your care needs and ask who you would like to be involved in your care planning. Within a month of moving in, you will have a care conference and meet with your physician and the care team to develop your plan of care. Subsequent annual conferences are scheduled. Anyone who you want to be present can attend.

We provide two baths or showers per week as per the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care guidelines.

Some daily grooming supplies are provided, including: - Briefs - Combs - Denture cups - Deodorant - Disposable razors - Facial tissues - Feminine hygiene products - Hairbrushes - Shampoo - Shaving cream - Skin care lotion - Soap - Toothbrushes - Toothpaste

We have a least restraint program. Our goal is to avoid restraints, but if restraints are used, they are frequently reassessed and removed as soon as possible. Restraints may include a lap belt or table top on a wheelchair. Hillel Lodge never restrains residents in bed.

We have a zero-tolerance policy for any form of abuse, with clear procedures in place, determined by the Ministry of Long-Term Care, to ensure safety of our residents and staff.

Hillel Lodge is a kosher long-term care Home. All meals and snacks are Kosher and include therapeutic diets and dietary supplement. Residents come together for their meals in a common dining room located on each neighbourhood, with table service by staff. Residents who cannot get to the dining room on their own are assisted by staff. If a resident is in isolation because of COVID19 or another viral illness, meals are served in their room. Residents are offered choices at each meal.

Three kosher nutritious meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are provided daily and planned in accordance with Canada’s Food Guide. Our home is kosher abiding by all the Jewish dietary laws. Our meals are designed to offer you two choices per meal, and three snacks per day. If you require a therapeutic or special diet, our dietitian will work with you to create a meal plan, including any dietary supplements and assistive devices you need.

Yes, menus are posted on the screens outside the dining rooms on each neighbourhood.

Yes, a laundry service is provided for all residents at no cost. All clothes are labelled, and we recommend only bringing in clothes that can go in our industrial washing machines. Families are welcome to take laundry home and wash it.

Rooms and shared areas of our home are cleaned daily.

The Government of Ontario sets all rates for long- term care in the province. This is done once a year, and includes a review of accommodations, activities, meals, nursing, personal care, and services.

When you move in, we ask you to bring a void cheque or a preauthorized payment form from your bank. Payments are withdrawn on the 1st day of the month.

If you reside in basic accommodation, you can apply for a rate reduction. You will need to show your most recent Notice of Assessment to determine your eligibility. Residents who chose a semi-private or private room do not have the option to apply for a rate reduction.

Some services are available for an extra fee. These include but are not limited to: -Audiology - Footcare -Dental Care -Non-prescription medications and supplements, such as vitamins - Hairdresser -Assistive Devices (i.e. walkers, wheelchairs, etc.)

If you have a concern or complaint about the health, safety, or wellbeing of a resident, we encourage you to bring it to the attention of the Director of Care. You may also contact the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care Family Support and Action Line toll-free at 1-866-434-0144, 7 days a week from 8:30am to 7pm, or via TTY at 1-800-387-5559.

Learn more about the Long-Term Care Home Complaint Process.