About
Who We Are
Specialized and Exceptional Care Since 1975
We are a home for special care, situated along beautiful St. Mary's Bay in the Acadian municipality of Clare. What began as a 45 resident home in 1975 has expanded to a 96 resident home.
We recognize the need for increased specialized care in long-term care homes and strive to meet this need in our community. To ensure that the quality of care required by the residents is provided, we have an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers, including nursing, medical, nutrition, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, therapeutic recreation, and pastoral care.
Our Philosophy of Care
We believe treating residents with dignity, patience, and empathy is essential, knowing the transition to long-term care is not easy. We are stepping away from the institutional model of care and adopting a resident-centred care approach. Each day, we strive to make our residents’ lives worth living by empowering them to make their own decisions whenever possible and offering flexibility and choices in their daily lives. Our interdisciplinary team fights against resident loneliness, boredom, and helplessness by building relationships with our residents and truly getting to know each individual’s wants and needs. We work hard to ensure that our residents know that their move to Villa Acadienne is not the end of their independent lives but the beginning of their next chapter.
General Policies
Visiting
Villa Acadienne encourages family and friends to visit as often as possible and to play an active role in the lives of loved ones. We are officially open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Our normal visiting hours are from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Outside of these hours, visiting is permitted in the common areas.
If you wish to share a meal with a resident, you can take the resident out, bring food in, or enjoy a meal provided by the Villa at a minimal cost. Arrangements must be made in advance.
Family and friends may bring food items in for residents. We ask that you notify the charge nurse to ensure the food items are in accordance with the resident's diet, texture and allergies and that it can be stored safely and properly until consumed by the resident. Per the Nova Scotia Retail and Services code, all food brought for a resident must be cooked and prepared before bringing it in.
Family gatherings with a resident can be arranged by contacting the recreation department to book a suitable space depending on the event and room availability. We encourage you to call early.
Nursing staff are trained to assist residents safely in all aspects of their care. If a resident asks for assistance please check with staff.
Smoking
Residents may smoke in the designated smoking room. All other areas inside the building are smoke-free. Visitors may smoke outside the building (at least three meters from any door or window) or in their vehicles. Smokers must properly extinguish and dispose of their cigarette butts. Do not litter.
Gifts
Staff cannot accept gifts from suppliers, residents, or visitors. The only exception would be with the Administrator's personal knowledge and approval.
Scent
"Less scent is good sense." Villa Acadienne strives to promote a reduced scent environment by eliminating or replacing, where possible, the use of products known to cause health problems for sensitive individuals. Therefore, we ask you to please:
Refrain from wearing heavily scented perfumes or colognes
Bring flowers or plants that are not heavily scented (no lilies)
Bring foil balloons instead of latex
Check with the nurse in charge if you're unsure