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We are proud to offer quality care, programs and services to older adults in our community at our Extended Care Unit.
The Extended Care Unit is a 75-bed long-term care facility that operates alongside a 40-bed interim long-term care unit at the Welland Site. We work to see that all residents live with dignity and in security, safety and comfort.
We provide a variety of programs and services to support the physical, psychological, social, spiritual and cultural needs of our residents. These services include:
- nursing and medical care
- recreation and restorative care
- pharmaceutical care
- laundry services
- spiritual and religious programs
- volunteer programs
An active Residents’ Council meets monthly to make decisions related to program and environmental issues as they apply to their home. Cable TV, foot care, hairdressing and barber services are also available to residents.
Quick Links
Telephone: 905-378-4647
Download the Extended Care and Interim Units information booklet
- Keeping residents safe during COVID-19 Pandemic -
With the Niagara region in the grey category of the Ontario Government’s COVID Response Framework, general visitation is not permitted for residents in the Extended Care Unit.
The only visits that are permitted are pre-approved Essential Caregiver visits. Essential Caregivers provide direct care or support to the resident in the home. Care may include emotional support, cognitive stimulation, supporting feeding, mobility or personal hygiene. Only one caregiver may visit with a resident at a time and must have proof of a negative COVID test within seven days of the visit.
How do I become an Essential Caregiver?
To become an Essential Caregiver for a resident in the ECU, please contact Lezlie Leduc, Programs and Services Manager at 905-378-4647 ext. 34585. You will be provided with the appropriate forms to fill out and a meeting will be scheduled between the caregiver(s) and the team at the ECU to review the process.
Important to note:
- Essential Caregivers must complete a COVID test and provide proof of negative results. A negative test must be obtained within one week of the visit.
- Essential Caregivers will be screened for COVID at the door prior to entry. This will include a temperature check at the start of each shift.
- All caregivers must wear a surgical mask at all times when inside the building.
- The ECU continues to encourage families to schedule virtual visits with their loved ones whenever possible. Contact the staff at the ECU to arrange for a virtual visit.
Rapid Antigen Testing
On Monday, February 22 we began Rapid Antigen testing all Essential Caregivers coming into the home. This testing is required each time you come into the building up to a maximum of 3 times per week(non-consecutive days). The Rapid testing that we will be using consists of both a throat and nasal swab. The test takes approximate 20 minutes to complete so we ask that you please allow for extra time added to your visit.
While we are in the process of getting the Rapid Testing up and running we would ask the all Essential Caregivers please continue to go to their regular COVID-19 Swab clinic appointments, helping us to cross reference the accuracy of the rapid test and keep COVID-19 out of our long-term care home.
As per the Ministry of Long-Term Care Directive on Visiting each resident continues to be allowed two Essential Caregivers and while we continue in the Gray/Red/Orange Zones only one Caregiver may visit in the home at a time.
Further measures to support resident and staff safety include:
Physical distancing in our dining rooms: the dining room has been expanded to allow increased spacing between tables.
Twice-daily sanitization of high touch points, including doorknobs, hallways rails, chairs, and tables.
- Programs -
Recreational Therapy
Our Recreational Therapy focuses on enhancing the leisure lifestyles of residents within the home through a variety of recreation and leisure opportunities, including community involvement, active living, social groups and entertainment. We have staff that offer programs and activities seven days a week, including some evening programs.
Music and Memory Program
The Music and Memory Program is designed to enhance the quality of life for our residents, particularly those with cognitive impairments such as dementia which can cause experiences of agitation or depression. The program has helped to improve the mood and behaviour of residents and has been effective in reducing incidence of falls by creating more relaxing environments.
- Admissions -
We invite you to consider making The Home at Niagara Health your home. Our compassionate and respectful culture supports the social, emotional and care needs of all residents.
Admission to a long-term care home is arranged through the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant (HNHB) region. We encourage residents and families to keep choice of homes and information up to date with the HNHB region.
We support interim unit residents in transferring to a permanent home placement.
- Stories about the ECU -
ECU team helps couple celebrate 50th anniversary
When Jane Thomas walked up to the front door of the Extended Care Unit at our Welland Site, her wedding song, When a Man Loves a Woman, was playing on a speaker outside. Waiting for her outside the front door were flowers, a cupcake, 50th anniversary balloons and a sign that read, Herb loves Jane.
Health-care workers focus on Welland seniors’ health amid pandemic
At a time when family can’t visit their loved ones face-to-face, finding ways to stay connected are now more important than ever. As long-term care staff work to enact heightened measures, they are also focusing on the well-being of senior residents. Patients at the Welland Extended Care Unit have been connecting with family through phone calls, window visits and staff have been helping seniors with video calls.
