Resident, family survey results released for seniors care facilities

By Medicine Hat News on September 24, 2020.

The Health Quality Council of Alberta released the results of its 2019 designated supportive living resident and family experience surveys in a pair of reports Wednesday.

The reports – one of which surveyed 2,857 residents, while the other polled 4,589 family members – list the overall care rating submitted by residents at 7.8, while family members provided an average rating of 8.4. However, only 43 per cent of residents and 23 per cent of family members indicated a belief that there are always enough nurses and aides available.

Hygiene and activities were also highlighted as areas of concern. Only 41 per cent of family members noted they felt rooms always look and smell clean, while 43 per cent felt the same about residents themselves. As for activities offered in facilities across the province, 50 per cent of residents indicated that they’re satisfied.

“We identified some actions for improvement by prioritizing survey questions, from both the resident and family surveys, according to greatest opportunity for improvement,” said HQCA acting CEO Charlene McBrien-Morrison. “These actions for improvement, available in our report, include areas such as staffing, cleanliness and information sharing.”

Most local facilities received above-average results in the surveys. Family members of residents at Cypress View gave the facility a 9.1 overall care rating, Meadowlands Retirement Residence got a 9.0 and both River Ridge Seniors Village and Haven Care Centre were given an 8.5. Masterpiece Southland Meadows and Good Samaritan South Ridge Village both earned an 8.3, while the Wellington was given a 7.8.

Residents gave local facilities similar reviews, with all but one coming in above the average overall care rating of 7.8.

Cypress View earned a rating of 8.3, followed by Masterpiece (8.2), Haven and River Ridge (8.1), and South Ridge Village and the Wellington (7.9). Meadowlands was given a 7.3, a stark comparison from its family rating of 9.0.

All seven received their highest scores from family in the category of meeting basic needs. River Ridge, Meadowlands and Cypress View topped out at 100, followed by South Ridge and Haven at 99, Masterpiece at 98 and the Wellington at 96.

In a different set of criteria, local facilities earned their highest ratings from residents in an array of categories. Laundry was highest for Meadowlands (100), River Ridge (94) and South Ridge (92), while Cypress View’s highest was facility environment (96), the Wellington’s was resident environment (96), Masterpiece’s was relationship with employees (94) and Haven’s was choice (93).

The lowest family ratings came in food scale for the Wellington (65), River Ridge (67), Haven (69), Meadowlands (72), Masterpiece (73), and Cypress View (80). South Ridge’s lowest score was a 74 per cent rating in staffing, care of belongings and environment.

Residents answered similarly, with the lowest rating given to meals and dining for South Ridge (74), the Wellington (76), Haven (77), River Ridge (77), Masterpiece (82) and Meadowlands (85).

The Wellington and Masterpiece both gave equal scores to activities, while Meadowlands split its 85 with care and services. Cypress View’s lowest rating was an 82 for care and services.

AgeCare Valleyview did not meet the survey’s minimum criteria of five respondents and was excluded from public reporting.

Both the Designated Supportive Living Resident Experience Survey Report and the Designated Supportive Living Family Experience Survey Report can be viewed at http://www.hqca.ca/supportiveliving.

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