This residence is one of the cleanest, well-maintained residence I've seen in the public sector in the Lasalle-Lachine-Verdun area. Fantastic view of Montreal; beautiful garden area; activities on regular basis; Staff is friendly, very helpful, BUT lately there seems to be a problem with absenteeism (either the permanent préposé(e)s are on vacation or on sick leave). This lack of personnel makes it very difficult to carry on routine services to the residents, especially the wheelchair-bound Alzheimer residents who cannot communicate or fend for themselves. Replacements are sent in, either from an agency or from other floors, they do not know the residents, are not prepared by the supervisor/nurse & family members feel they have to step in to direct them - this should not be the case every day, especially every night. Management needs to better manage this situation; the supervisors need to be more present every day; if there are only 2 preposes working (cleaning and putting to bed the residents), then one should be in the tv area watching the other residents who might need assistance; BUT this is not the case lately - there is only 1 or 2 inexperienced /ill-prepared préposé running around for 20 residents - and these staff members have to take a supper break - 8-hr shifts are long!! So family members feel they need to hang around and do what they can, BUT this should not be so every day!! Our health ministers should come hang out on these floors at night for a few hours - maybe they can help too!! Can someone make sure your management sees this message; can someone try to remedy this bad situation; can someone tell us who needs to be contacted so we can help you all do your job?? Let's not make this beautiful residence another statistic in the list of "bad" long-term residences. I hope you take my message into consideration. I hope other family members who are experiencing same problems speak up too. If you haven't noticed, maybe it would be a good idea to go spend a few hours at the residence, especially at night when there are no volunteers and lack of staff. Let's work together to make this place a good experience for all.
AND - on Easter Sunday only ONE elevator was functioning for the 12 floors. The freight elevator was blocked for the kitchen service and therefore a good 10 minute wait each time one needed an elevator.
This is not the first time the elevators have malfunctioned on a holiday weekend when more visitors are in the building - and no "weekend and/or emergency" service is available! During the Xmas holidays, the same thing happened.... no elevator no service - not good!!
I did speak to the receptionist and asked if a call could be put in to the service, but the person said there is no service on the weekend - this was a long weekend!! God forbid a real emergency would occur and the place needed to be evacuated!!! how do you get 240 residents plus staff plus visitors out with 1 regular elevator and the freight!!! This being a "CHSLD" - government run service - someone needs to talk to the Minister - someone needs to set the priorities straight.