Extendicare-Viking - Viking

Recently I have been hearing and reading about Extendicare Viking and I feel compelled to share my personal experiences with this facility and the care of my Dad.

Dad spent eight years in assisted living and because of deteriorating physical health, it was determined that we would need to place him in a facility that offers 24/7 care. Viking was the facility that was able to accept dad in a reasonable time frame, and we agreed to place him there until a more central place to our family became available. My dad was placed in June 2018, the emotions of placing him in a continued care facility were overwhelming and soon I found myself spending as much time as I possibly could at Extendicare, mostly to help me understand and accept the next phase of his life. There were a few bumps at the beginning, as the staff learned my Dad’s habits, and my Dad learned about them. They engaged him and fondly labelled him sir Arthur. With each concern I had, I received immediate response. I was in a learning curve and was still understanding the cruel limitations that Parkinson’s and arthritis were placing upon my Dad. In time, another facility had availability and Dad could have moved if he wanted.

He clearly did not want to relocate and wished to remain where he was. The staff at Extendicare encouraged Dad, and honoured our wishes to keep him mobile as long as they could, or he wanted to. He continued to walk for more than a year with the aid of his walker and their assistance. He found it becoming increasingly painful to continue to walk and resigned himself to a wheelchair. The lift is used for transfer to his wheelchair and to his bed. From the day of his admission he has always been reliant upon being dressed, toileted and assisted with personal hygiene. His clothes were always clean when I arrived, he was showered twice a week if he would allow them, and if he was in need of change, we always received immediate response.

There was never evidence of him sitting for long periods without being changed. The staff are very aware of his toileting and are mindful about checking on him. When he began aspirating his food, the dietician was notified, and they switched Dad to pureed food and his choking has subsided. Dad has required a lot of care and has consistently received it. Perhaps, sometimes it may not be as quickly as I would like it, but I also understand that they have to meet the needs of other residents and I consider them equally important. There are days Dad wants to sleep more, refuses to drink, refuses to eat, and refuses his medications. When he is like this, the staff has been wonderful about letting his mood pass and never forcing him to do anything against his wishes. I any urgent situations arise; I am notified immediately. I have respect for that, as Dad still knows what he does or does not want. For that I am thankful, and he has earned that right. Hydration is important, but Dad refuses to drink sometimes, and the staff always try to encourage him to have his fluids at mealtime and throughout the day. When he becomes dehydrated, we have him place on IV for a while to give him a boost. Thankfully this has happened rarely and since I am able to visit Dad often and know him best, I have come to sense when he needs to drink more or require assisted hydration.

Since June 2018, I have been a regular visitor at Extendicare and have seen a lot of positive changes, and I am sure will continue to see more. The management and staff have been receptive to my feedback regarding Dad’s care. In my opinion, Dad has been given wonderful care, good food, a safe environment, lots of entertainment and most importantly, a place he refers to as home.

Sincerely,

Deb Boyd

Bruce, AB