ILHS CLIENT HANDBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Introduction
• Mission and Philosophy Statement
• History of ILHS
• Our Homes
• Your Rights
• Safeguards
• Ministry Support for ILHS Clients
• Conflict Resolution
• Information About You
• Privacy
• Responsibilities
• Health and Safety
• Admissions Process For CLBC Sites
• Admission Process For VIHA Sites
• Getting In Touch With Us

INTRODUCTION TO THE ILHS HANDBOOK

Welcome to our Handbook. We are happy to offer this Handbook in the hope that it will provide a convenient and comprehensive reference for any questions you may have about the services provided by the Independent Living Housing Society.

The staff members and Board of Directors of the Society are pleased to offer a variety of independent living choices to individuals in the community that reflect the needs of the people served.

We thank the staff members who put many hours of work into the compilation and design of the Handbook.

Board of Directors
Independent Living Housing Society Of Greater Victoria

MISSION

To provide homes and support to people with physical and/or cognitive disabilities that maintain and enhance independent lifestyles.

PHILOSOPHY

1. All people have the right to maintain their individuality and dignity.
2. All people have the right to privacy and confidentiality.
3. All people have the right to be free from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination.
4. Our clients have the right to be fully involved in independent living decisions.
5. Our clients have right to live in a manner consistent with their needs, interests and capabilities.
6. Our clients have the right to receive quality-managed services.
7. The Society will cooperate with existing like-minded organizations.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ILHS

The Independent Living Housing Society (ILHS) originated in 1976 by a group of people who lived at the Gorge Road Hospital in the Extended Care Unit. They shared the desire to live a more independent lifestyle, one free of institutional constraints. The group had a meeting to discuss new and innovative options. Amongst the original group members, four decided they were compatible and could live together. They each would be responsible for paying rent, looking after their home, and managing a staff of Support Attendants.

A renovated, wheelchair-modified house in the Swan Lake area was purchased and the first tenants moved in to the Falmouth Site on May 25th, 1976. Funding for the purchase and related costs came from the South Vancouver Island Cerebral Palsy Association at Pearkes and from the Ministry of Social Services and Housing (now the Ministry for Children and Family Development).

Later, when the Ministry of Health’s Long Term Care Division was formed, it became responsible for providing the necessary funding and resources to support the operation of this first site.

In 1978, a second home was located and opened in the Tillicum area. The Obed Site was constructed and designed specifically with the needs of persons with physical and/or developmental challenges being taken into consideration.

October 2, 1986, G.R. Pearkes, with Margaret McKay officiating, turned over the houses to the Independent Living Housing Society for the sum of $1.00. Today, the Society has four group home style residences, one floor of an apartment complex, and the Bed and Breakfast Respite Site.

OUR HOMES

FALMOUTH

On May 25, 1976 Falmouth Site was opened, providing a home for four adults. One of the original residents living at Falmouth was appointed as the first Executive Director of the Society. The Falmouth home has one staff per shift supporting four clients.

OBED

In 1978, ILHS built the Obed Site, which provides a home for four adults. The Obed Site also has one staff per shift supporting four clients.

THE HEATHERS

On May 01, 1993, ILHS entered a partnership with Capital Regional Housing to provide care to seven individuals on the third floor of an apartment complex. The Heathers Site includes seven one-bedroom apartments, an office, and a common room. The Heathers employs one or two staff during the day and evening, and one staff at night supporting seven clients.

LIFE AT THE "VIHA SITES"

The Falmouth, Obed and The Heathers clients live independently, come and go as they please, and direct staff as to their care needs.

FELTHAM

On August 03, 1988, property was acquired and construction began on the Feltham Site, which officially opened on June 22, 1990. Feltham Site employs two staff during the day and evening, and one staff at night supporting four clients. The Feltham Site also employs an activity coordinator (the Day Planner).

EASTER (“THE B & B”)

April 01, 1993 saw the opening of the Bed & Breakfast Site (also know as the B&B or the Easter Road Site) for respite services on weekends. In 1996, the site underwent extensive renovations in order to expand services to seven days per week. The B&B currently employs two staff during the day and evening, and one staff at night supporting three “guests” in addition to the one permanent client.

HAWTHORNE

On July 15, 1993 the Hawthorne Site was purchased to provide a home for three clients. Extensive renovations were done in 2001 that allowed licensing regulations to be met and a fourth client to move in. The Hawthorne Site employs two staff during the day and evening, and one staff at night supporting four clients. The Hawthorne Site also employs an activity coordinator (the Day Planner).

LIFE AT THE "CLBC SITES"

The Feltham, Hawthorne, and Easter Road clients have more complex health needs, and staff are guided by care plans developed by the health care team.

STAFFING AT ILHS SITES

Employees are hired as Residential Care Workers (RCW) to work at all of the ILHS sites. Residential Care Workers must be able to assist with self-directed tenants as well as provide care to clients with more complex health needs. Employees may be hired for a specific site or as casual on-call relief staff. In addition to the Residential Care Workers, two sites have Day Planners, one site has Behavior Intervention Workers, and each site has a Supervisor.

YOUR RIGHTS AS A PERSON LIVING IN CANADA

In 1982, the government of Canada told all Canadians about their rights in a document called the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Some of your rights included in this Charter are:

• The right to be treated fairly and equally, regardless of your colour, sex or age, or whether you have a physical or mental disability.
• The right to choose your religion.
• The right to your own thoughts and the right to talk about your thoughts.
• The right to come together with other lieolile.
• The right to vote.
• The right to stay in Canada or leave.
• The right to learn.

The Charter also tells you that if anyone denies your rights, you can ask someone to help you make sure that your rights are respected. Some of the people you may want to ask for help include: your parents or another trusted family member, one of your friends, your staff, Site Supervisor or Executive Director, a member of your church or even your local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).

YOUR RIGHTS AS A PERSON LIVING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

In BC there is something called The BC Human Rights Code. It says that you cannot be discriminated against because you have a physical or mental disability. The code says you have:

• The right to access the same services as everyone else including restaurants, malls, buses and schools.
• Get hired and be paid the same wages as everyone else.
• Be treated the same as every other tenant when you rent an apartment or house.

If you think you have been treated differently because of your disability, you should tell your parents or another trusted family member, one of your friends, your staff, Site Supervisor or Executive Director, a member of your church or even your local Member of the Legislative Assebly (MLA).

YOUR RIGHTS TO ASSISTANCE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Persons with disabilities who are eighteen years or older, and have no other income, have the right to benefits and services from BC Benefits. ILHS will ensure that every client has adequate as well as the appropriate income prior to moving into an ILHS home. You are encouraged to speak with a trusted family member or your Site Supervisor should you ever have a problem with your income or managing your budget.

SAFEGUARDS

The Independent Living Housing Society hires high quality employees that are committed to working with people who have physical and/or developmental disabilities.

Employees are required to have relevant education and one year related experience. All candidates submit a resume and fill out an employment application. Two work references are checked. Prior to being hired, the following documentation is submitted and confirmed:

• Tuberculosis test
• Doctor’s fitness to work certificate
• Criminal Record Check
• Valid First Aid and C.P.R. certificate
• Class 4 Driver's License (required to work at Sites where ILHS vans are used)
• Driver’s Abstract

Health Care Plans are developed for each client. All clients participate in the development of their own Care Plans. At Hawthorne, Feltham, and the B&B, a Health Services for Community Living (HSCL) Nurse also writes a health care plan, and trains staff on any complex procedures.

At Hawthorne, Feltham, and the B&B Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) provides Quality Service Analysts and Facilitators for all clients. A Personal Goal-Setting Plan is developed for each client receiving services, with input from the client, family, support network and CLBC. This is reviewed and updated annually by the support team.

The B&B, Hawthorne and Feltham must be in compliance with the Community Care Facilities Act, and Adult Care Regulations. Licensing Officers conduct inspections of the homes to ensure the regulations are being followed. Supervisors must also be interviewed and approved by Licensing to manage a group home.

If an incident occurs, an Incident Report is submitted to Licensing for possible investigation. Licensing officers may enter the home at any time and review relevant records. Recommendations are made based on the findings of the investigation or inspection.

Community Care Licensing also employ a Nutritionist. The Licensing Nutritionist reviews Nutritional Care Plans, menu plans, and food service within the home.

Another requirement of Licensing is that all medication in pill form must be blister packed, and that everything about the administration procedure is properly documented. The Super-visor and Pharmacist conduct a safety inspection of medications within the Site every six months.

WorkSafeBC requires that a Health and Safety Committee meet to review monthly injury statistics during Occupational Health and Safety meetings. The committee provides recommendations on increasing safety in the homes, and reducing workplace injury. It is important that all health and safety concerns are reported to the Site Supervisor.

There is a night shift call-in system for the night staff who are working in isolation. The night staff at the Falmouth Site call the other Sites at specific times to ensure all is well, and follow a specific protocol of there is a problem.

MINISTRY SUPPORT FOR ILHS CLIENTS

All clients who live at Hawthorne, Feltham and Easter Road or are a guest at the B&B are clients of Community Living British Columbia, or CLBC. Each client will have access to a social worker, known as a Facilitator, that will advocate on their behalf.

You may contact a Facilitator at the CLBC office:

Phone: (250) 952-4203

Mailing address:
PO Box 9736
Station Provincial Government
Victoria, BC, V8W 9S2

You are also eligible for services including nursing, nutrition and dysphagia, dental hygiene, physiotherapy and occupational therapy from Health Services for Community Living (HSCL). Contact your local Health Unit for more information.

All clients who live at Obed, Falmouth and The Heathers are clients of the Vancouver Island Health Authority. The Authority is also called VIHA and used to be the Ministry of Health. You have also been assessed by Long-Term Care (LTC) and have a Long-Term Care Worker.

You may contact your Long-Term Care Worker at the Long-Term Care office:

Phone: (250) 388-2300

Mailing address:
1947 Cook Street
Victoria BC
V8T 3P1

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

The Independent Living Housing Society realizes that sometimes when people work together they may disagree.

If you, your family or caregiver disagree with something that was said or something that happened at one of The Independent Living Housing Society’s sites, and you cannot resolve the situation on your own, you may go through the conflict resolution process.

Talk to the Supervisor to find out what can be done. The two of you might decide to meet with the person involved so that you can talk about your concern. If your concern is not resolved then you can choose to go to the Formal Process.

• Arrange to meet again with the Supervisor and /or the Executive Director. It is important that everything that was said at this meeting is written down. We can give you a copy of what is written down.
• The Supervisor and/or Executive Director will look into your concern.
• They will share with you what they find out within 10 days of the meeting. They will give you a report that will include a decision.
• If you are not happy with the decision then you can take your complaint in writing to the ILHS Board of Directors.
• The Board will talk to everyone involved.
• The Board will talk to you about the decision.
• You will get the decision in writing.

If you are still unhappy with the decision you can take your concern to your CLBC Facilitator or VIHA Long Term Care Worker.

Your Facilitator or Long Term Care Worker, and maybe their Supervisor will look at your complaint. They will make a decision and will tell you and the Independent Living Housing Society about their decision.

• You can also choose to take your complaint to the Advocate for Service Quality.
• This person ensures that people in BC with developmental disabilities who receive service are adequately protected.
• Your Advocate is not a Ministry or CLBC staff person so they can respond to you in a way that is independent of the Ministry or CLBC.

You and/or your advocate can reach the Advocate for Service Quality in Victoria by calling (250) 387-6121.

INFORMATION ABOUT YOU

The Independent Living Housing Society will ask you and your family or caregiver to give us information about you. We keep that information so that the staff who support you know what you like and what you need.

We keep the information about you in your Client Profile Book and Client File which are kept in a secure area. Only the people who need to know about you have access to this information. We also keep some information about you on computers. Again, only the people who need to know about you have access to the computer.

Yes. You can look at the information about you at any time. Ask your Supervisor, and they will go through your Profile Book or file with you.

The people who support you need to look at your Profile Book to get information about you so that they can do a good job. If anyone who is not supporting you asks ILHS for information, then we will ask you before sharing that information. We will ask you to give us your permission in writing.

If we plan to use your photograph or write an article about you we will ask for your permission first.

PRIVACY

When you turn 19 in BC you become an adult. Once you are an adult, people who need information about you need to talk to you first. Then you decide if you want them to talk to you, your parents or your caregiver.

Before you talk to anyone, you can ask if you can talk about things that are "confidential." That means that what you say is private, and won't be told to anyone else.

There are some things that cannot be confidential. For example, if you say someone is touching you in a bad way, the person you tell has to tell CLBC staff and Licensing (if applicable), police, and the ILHS Executive Director.

That you have the right to be alone, if you choose. That people should knock and ask if it is okay with you before they come in to a space where you are alone. That people should not look at or take your private things without your permission. The only time this might be different is if there is a risk to your health or safety.

• Making staff and roommates aware of your right to privacy.
• Not talking about you to people who do not need to know about you.
• Not sharing information about you until you, or someone you have chosen, say it is okay to do so.
• Keeping written information about you in a secure place.
• Respecting your right to privacy and dignity when we help you with personal care.
• Supporting you and everyone else to respect the privacy of others.
• Having all employees sign a confidentiality statement.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Along with rights you have responsibilities. For example, when you make a choice you are responsible for that choice.

As a Canadian you have rights. You also have a responsibility to respect the rights of other Canadians by treating people fairly and treating everyone equally.

Your responsibilities at the Independent Living Housing Society include:

• Participating in the planning of your services.
• Exploring options in your community by participating in recreation and leisure activities, community volunteering or paid work placements.
• Letting people know if and when you need support.
• Listening to others.
• Respecting the rights of everyone at the Independent Living Housing Society.
• Letting us know if you are going to be away from the site, and when you expect to return.

You have a responsibility to let us know of any health or safety concerns that you have. We need to know about things like:

• The medications you take, and any changes.
• Medical health concerns that you have.
• Safety concerns that you have.
• Health and safety supports that you require

• When you are at an Independent Living Housing Society home.
• With someone at the Independent Living Housing Society.
• When you are out in the community.
• When you are in an ILHS van, or other vehicle.

If there is a fire or an earthquake, or if there is a fire drill you have a responsibility to:

• Remain calm.
• Leave the building.
• Follow the instructions of ILHS employees and other emergency response personnel.
• Let staff know if you or anyone else is having trouble.

HEALTH & SAFETY AT THE INDEPENDENT LIVING HOUSING SOCIETY

At The Independent Living Housing Society we have procedures written down that will help you if there is an emergency.

If there is a Fire or an Earthquake we will help you to:

• Leave the building.
• Get out of the building if you have trouble walking.
• Follow the procedures in the Emergency Manual.
• Meet everyone in the assigned meeting area.

Staff are required to do regular emergency and evacuation drills.

If you have a medical emergency:

• The first staff person on the scene will give you first aid.
• Other staff will go to get information about you so that we can give you the best support.
• If it is necessary we will assist you to go to a medical clinic.
• If it is necessary we will call 911.
• Your caregiver, family, Supervisor, Executive Director, CLBC and Licensing (if applicable) will be informed.

All Independent Living Housing Society employees have current First Aid and CPR training. There are First Aid kits in all Independent Living Housing Society sites and vans.

Before you first come to The Independent Living Housing Society, we meet with you, your family and/or caregiver to find out what you need to keep you safe.

We ask questions about:

• The medications you take.
• Health concerns you have.
• Safety concerns you have.
• The personal care supports you require.
• The meal time supports you require.

This information goes in to a Care Plan in your Profile Book. We will share this information so that everyone who will support you knows how to address your health and safety needs.

Every year (or sooner) we have a team meeting to update the information. It is important that you tell us about important changes when they happen.

The Independent Living Housing Society staff are trained in Universal Health Precautions. If they come in contact with blood or other body fluids they will follow certain steps. By following these steps they are less likely to come in contact with a communicable disease. That way staff stay safe and so do you. To prevent staff from coming in contact with blood or other body fluids they will:

• Wear gloves
• Follow approved hand washing procedures
• Follow proper clean up procedures

If you come in contact with blood or other body fluids you must tell us so we can help make sure you are safe.

Sometimes you will be transported by Independent Living Housing Society staff in a van owned by the Independent Living Housing Society. All Independent Living Housing Society staff who may drive an ILHS van have a valid Class 4 Driver's License, which means they are licensed to carry passengers professionally. All the vehicles are insured, in case there is an accident.

We check the vans owned by the Independent Living Housing Society regularly to make sure that they are safe to drive. Everyone must wear a seat belt in our vans.

Not all Independent Living Housing Society houses have a van. The Hawthorne, B&B, and Feltham Sites have vans.

ADMISSIONS PROCESS FOR HAWTHORNE, FELTHAM, AND THE B&B

All clients living at Hawthorne, Feltham and the B&B are referred for services by Community Living British Columbia (CLBC), and meet their criteria.

In addition, because Hawthorne, Feltham, and the B&B are set up for wheelchair access, preference is given to clients with significant mobility issues.

The Independent Living Housing Society serves people regardless of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, physical or mental disability, or gender, with the primary consideration being the ability to meet the needs of the client and the best fit with the other clients within the services.

Services presently provided by the Independent Living Housing Society are designed for adults, age 19 years and older.

Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) social workers, known as Facilitators, refer all potential clients for service. Decisions about acceptance into the programs operated by the Independent Living Housing Society are joint decisions between CLBC and the Independent Living Housing Society. The Supervisors of each site are most aware of the needs of the existing clients being served and best able to determine the fit of a potential new client.

Within group homes, placements may remain in place for the remainder of the life of the client. Hence, spaces are rarely available and the CLBC Quality Service Analyst is informed of openings or potential openings as soon as they are available. Clients with the most urgent need for placement, as determined by CLBC, may be considered first. Only after the client with the greatest need was deemed to be an unsuitable match would the next person be considered. If all candidates on the short list have the same degree of urgency, consideration would be given to the best fit based on personality, temperament, and match with the other clients in the home.

A guiding principle is that only clients who can be accommodated in a safe and secure fashion with the resources available will be considered.

When potential candidate(s) are selected, the CLBC Quality Service Analyst arranges for the Facilitator to accompany the family, the client (if appropriate on a first visit), or people from the client's support network to view the home/program and meet everyone involved. This may occur over one or several visits, depending on the needs. At the respite program, CLBC may have the Supervisor contact the client and family/caregiver directly. If the client and family/caregiver wish to proceed further, the Supervisor would complete the paperwork with either the client or their family or caregiver and begin the process of information gathering to make sure this is the right place for the client, and a good fit for the home/program. The Supervisor would be the primary contact and address any questions that arose.

As a tenant of Feltham Site or Hawthorne Site, I understand that I am expected to:

• Treat the staff and other clients with dignity and respect, which includes no lying, swearing, teasing, bullying, racial, harassing, or sexual remarks or actions.
• Respect the personal space and privacy of the other clients and the staff.
• Act in a manner that does not compromise the health and safety of other clients and staff, which includes refraining from verbal and physical aggression.
• Act lawfully both in and out of the home, meaning that I will not engage in or participate in illegal activities.
• Consume alcohol responsibility, meaning that I will not overuse or abuse alcohol, consume alcohol against the advice of my doctor or pharmacist, and follow all public laws pertaining to the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Take medications as prescribed by my doctor or medical specialist, which includes no overuse or abuse of prescription or non-prescription drugs.
• Follow the directions of health care professionals with regards to maintaining my health and safety.
• Maintain a diet that promotes overall good health, as recommended by my dietitian, nurse, and/or doctor, and as agreed to in my Nutrition Care Plan.
• Be considered medically stable, and not require constant nursing support outside the scope of the regular services provided by ILHS and Health Services for Community Living Home Nursing Care.
• Maintain a tidy bedroom in order to create a safe environment for myself and the staff.
• Participate in the shared maintenance of the household as my abilities permit.
• Inform ILHS staff of all overnight stays away from home, for reasons of safety.
• Inform ILHS staff of all overnight guests, for reasons of safety.
• Inform ILHS staff when I leave the house without an on-duty ILHS staff member, and again upon my return.
• Meet eligibility requirements for tenancy at these sites as defined by Community Living British Columbia.

ADMISSIONS PROCESS FOR OBED, FALMOUTH AND THE HEATHERS

Most Clients living at Obed, Falmouth and the Heathers are referred to the Independent Living Housing Society by Long Term Care, and meet their criteria, although some clients self-refer. All clients must also be eligible for a British Columbia Housing Management Commission (BCHMC) rent subsidy.

The Independent Living Housing Society serves people regardless of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, physical or mental disability, or sex, with the primary consideration being the ability to meet the needs of the client and the goodness of fit with the other clients within the services.

Services presently provided by the Independent Living Housing Society are designed for adults, age 19 years and older.

Vancouver Island Health Authority, Long Term Care Division provides the Independent Living Housing Society with a waitlist of possible tenants. To be considered for this list prospective clients must have a Long Term Care number, have a physical and/or cognitive disability, must be medically stable, and not require on-going nursing care.

In addition to the above, prospective clients must be receiving BC Benefits, or other income subsidy, be in need of a rent supplement and meet criteria for British Columbia Housing Management Commission rent subsidy.

Other criteria that must be met before a client would be considered are:

• Must be able to manage their own medications.
• Must be able to direct all personal care and household duties.
• Must be able to manage their own finances.
• Must conduct themselves in accordance with the ILHS Tenancy Agreement

In addition to these conditions, the client must also be compatible with the current clients of the home.

If the client wishes to proceed further, the Supervisor would complete the paperwork with the client and begin the process of information gathering to make sure this is the right place for the client, and a good fit for the home. The Supervisor would be the primary contact and address any questions that arose.

• Treat staff and other clients with dignity which includes no racial or harassing remarks.
• Maintain a tidy apartment, so that staff may safely provide care.
• Direct your care in a manner that will maintain good hygiene and health.li>
• Self-direct medication, which includes ordering own medication(s), taking medications as prescribed, and attending required or necessary doctor’s appointments.
• Abide by ILHS Policy regarding storage of narcotics and Schedule II drugs.
• Eat a diet that promotes overall good health.
• Conduct all sexual behavior in a responsible and appropriate manner.
• Not engage in illegal activities in the house/apartment building or grounds.
• Self-manage finances.
• Purchase own supplies and materials to maintain own health and cleanliness of apartment.
• Participate in shared management of household.
• No alcohol or substance abuse which includes prescription and non-prescription medications.
• For reasons of safety, must inform ILHS staff of all overnight guests and overnights elsewhere.
• For reasons of safety, must inform ILHS staff when you leave the building and again upon your return.
• Must not intentionally jeopardize the health and safety of the other clients or staff in the building/house.
• Must be medically stable (non-acute care) and not require constant nursing care and/or monitoring.
• Adhere to the Capital Regional Housing Tenancy Agreement (The Heathers only).
• For reasons of safety you must maintain a telephone connection (The Heathers only).

GETTING IN TOUCH WITH US

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