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Community Living. The bottom line is that it is significantly less taxpayers dollars to server the severely developmentally
disabled at the centres than it is in the community. Additionally, the centre contains all of the necessary supports
required for these individuals to survive, whereas for more taxpayer dollars, increasing the current waiting lists,
community living does not yet have the supports, the expertise or financing to handle the severely developmentally
disabled.
residences on a large acreage in the town of Orillia. As of the beginning of 2005 there are 342 residents, the majority of
whom are severely intellectually disabled along with a wide variety of physical and psychological disabilities including
autism, behavioural disorders, cerebral palsy, Down’s Syndrome, eating disorders, deaf, blind, crippled and much more.
Many have multiple disorders that require constant medical and physical supervision, as well as care to provide the
simplest of physical functions such as eating, toileting, bathing and dressing.
Living Space
Physically, HRC is comprised of 39 apartment units and has two specialized units. One such unit is for individuals with
high behaviour needs who requires enhanced staffing for their safety. The other is a unit designed to accommodate a
certain population that is at risk for eating anything within their reach, and therefore, must be housed in a special
environment with special caregivers.
All the living environments are based on a home style care model, where the supports are individualized and delivered in
a personal manner. Most apartments house 5 – 10 residents with most sharing a bedroom with one other person. The
majority of the apartments have been renovated in the last five years to offer the best in comfort, care, and security. Each
apartment has a fully-equipped kitchen, dining area, family room with T.V. and audio equipment. Many residents also have
TV’s and audio equipment for their own enjoyment in their bedrooms. The bathrooms were updated with an aging and
disabled population in mind including bathtubs that allow wheelchair access and other similar accommodations. Several
apartments share laundry access and some of the residents are able to fold laundry, make beds and help to set and clear
tables for meals and generally to take a role of helper to their other, more limited peers.
The footprint for each apartment is large to allow for easy movement of those in wheelchairs as well as the many
residents with uneven or unsteady gaits. The apartments are separate but linked by adjoining doors and hallways. This
facilitates the movement of staff between apartments to provide greater care coverage and flexibility. It also provides the
residents with more access to socializing with other residents and to travel to workshops and appointments without
going outdoors in inclement weather.
Outside, the beautiful grounds on the shores of Lake Simcoe can be enjoyed by residents who are mobile or who are
taken out by the counsellors. The internal system of roads make it easy for those in wheelchairs and can be navigated
safely by others as anyone driving here knows to go slow and watch for the residents. There is a small camp on the
lakeshore that many of the residents can attend for a week because they have full support from regular and summer
counsellors, and are close enough to home for any problems to be addressed quickly by medical and care staff.
Staff and Services
The residents of Huronia Regional Centre (HRC) are cared for and supported by a variety of professional and well-trained
staff. There is little turnover in staff which means that long term relationships are established between staff and
residents. Beyond the benefit of providing consistency and caring, the staff know the residents very well and, even with
such a non-verbal population, can detect problems early because of their familiarity with each resident.
Primary Care
Residential Counsellors (RC2 and 3’s) have a Developmental Services Worker diploma from an accredited college (or
equivalent plus mandatory CPR and other health training). They provide direct care on a daily basis including everything
from hygiene to medical referral to behaviour management to friendly support. They enhance the residents’ lives through
the individualized program plans utilizing an inter-disciplinary team model, where all departments of the Centre are
represented to plan for the residents’ needs. The team consists of:
1. The Resident
2. Family involvement - the family members are always invited to participate in the annual planning.
3. Kinesiology –Works with more than half of our residents to improve development of motor functioning of residents
and support staff with in-services training
4. Audiology – Provides assessments of hearing sensitivity, monitoring of earwax and middle ear problems, state of
the art hearing aids (digital), custom moulded earplugs for medically fragile ears. Also provides staff training on the use
and care of devices. All hearing aid clients receive individual and group support on the use of devices and listening skills
5. Behavioural therapists - With direct access to a psychiatrist, these staff deal with our dual-diagnosis population
(both psychiatrically and developmentally challenged). These staff are critical so that there are no waiting times for a
client in a behaviour crisis
6. Dieticians – Weight control is very important as the heavier the client the harder it is on them medically. Directly
involved in planning specialized diets needed such as texturized diets, diabetic menu, cholesterol control, and G-tube
feeding (feeds by a tube into the stomach, not by mouth)
7. Speech and Hearing - Speech and language training, sign language, augmentative communication training, etc.
provided by Speech Pathologists. Feeding specialist – trained knowledge on specific feeding problems as many
residents have eating difficulties or disorders.
8. Day Programs –Residential Counsellors provide simulated workshop environments that enable residents the
opportunity to develop and maintain skills. Activities include arts and crafts, music, and horticultural programs. They plan
events at special times of the year for the enjoyment of our clients such as Snoezelen therapy, music programs, walks
outside, support to allow some of our people to attend events in the community, (theatre productions, fairs, etc.)
9. Nursing- The primary nurse assigned to the resident brings the team up to date on medical information and any
pending health concerns. They are also responsible for keeping all medical records up to date.
Medical and Physical Care
HRC has its own Infirmary, Special Care Unit, for anyone who requires 24/7 nursing care. This is utilized for various
medical situations (i.e., post –surgical, observation periods). This is a unit for ill people who would otherwise be in the
hospital and is staffed by Registered Nurses 24 – 7 who know how to deal with the challenges of a developmentally
challenged individual.
We have physicians who cover the facility seven days a week. To place these people in the community they will all require
doctors immediately and not to be put on a waiting list as the general population is. Our population is aging and with age
comes medical frailty. There are on-site foot clinics, (podiatry care) visiting neurologist, and trained staff on site to do
ECG and EEG.
Pharmacy – Staffed by a pharmacist and technicians. Our clients require medications, anti-convulsants, psychiatric
medication, blood pressure medication, stomach medication, vitamins, minerals, etc. Buying medications in bulk provides
considerable cost savings for this population.
Kinesiology – These professionals help to develop an individual’s motor functioning ability to maximum potential and
provide modified services to find unique ways to motivate residents for their special needs. This department can
provide quick rehabilitation after trauma or surgery and decrease the incidents of pressure sores. This is important as
there are few therapists in the community trained to work with the developmentally delayed population and long wait
times are the usual in the community. These staff are also trained with the skills to work with behavioural residents who
may be aggressive. The people in this department are highly trained staff who have a degree in Kinesiology, are
registered with the Ontario Kinesiology Association and are registered as Assistive Devices Program Authorizers for
Seating and Mobility Devices by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s Assistive Devices Program. This department
provides a 4-month co-op placement for five students from the University of Waterloo year round.
Dentistry - Dental services for residents is provided on site by one dentist and he is supported by dental hygienists. It is
very difficult to find dentists in the community who are trained or prepared to work with this population.
Audiology This department is staffed with a qualified Audiologist who is a member of the College of Audiologists and
Speech and Language Pathologists of Ontario. There is also an Audiometric Technician registered with the Ministry of
Health A.D.P dispenser for hearing aids and with the Association of Hearing Instruments Practitioners of Ontario. Two
Residential Counsellor 2’s provide assistance in this department. The Audiology department is responsible for teaching
sign language to staff and residents, and support for proper hearing aid care. They work with our residents to test, fit,
and order proper hearing aids and providing ongoing support to care for hearing aids after they are given. They also
look after swim moulds for the many residents requiring this specialized equipment. These staff help our people with
communication skills necessary for expressing their needs and wants and for understanding and hearing. This
department sponsors Georgian College students on placement.
Speech Language Pathology This department identifies, assesses, and treat residents who are experiencing
communication and/or swallowing disorders. They also train staff in the best methods of communication for our residents
(i.e. speech, sign/gesture, picture symbols, voice output systems). This service also provides a placement opportunity
for Georgian College students. Two speech language pathologists are employed and have a Master’s degree and
specialize in treating developmentally challenged individuals.
Assistive Devices and Wheelchair Repair This department is an on-site wheelchair maintenance, assistive devices and
repair area. They are able to correct and repair problems as they arise allowing the client little or no wait time. This area
has specially trained staff who attend regular seminars and workshops to keep up to date on wheelchair fitting and
customizing. They are also responsible for fitting regular furniture with devices the client is comfortable with, where
there are no areas that will cause and discomfort or skin ulcers. Special care is taken in the personalized manufacture of
walking, sitting, swimming, toilet and mobile devices. As well, this department manufactures specialized helmets, braces
and straps. The staff are required to have a current First Aid and C.P.R. certificates as well as C.P.I. (Crisis Intervention
Techniques).
Social and Recreation
Pool The in-door pool is staffed by qualified lifeguards and is wheelchair accessible. There is a therapeutic hot tub with a
hydraulic lift to assist in getting physically challenged people into it. The pool is also used by kinesiology for
physiotherapy and for leisure swims. It is also used by Orillia’s Fibromyalgia support group and the Community Group
homes and schools (for the special needs people).
Lake Simcoe Beach and Camp. HRC runs a beach program in the summer, involving swimming, wheelchair accessible
pontoon boat rides, arts and crafts, music, nature walks, two- person tricycle riding for exercise as well as our own
overnight “camping” experience located on the grounds.
Community Visits. Community integrated outings are planned to develop social awareness and community exposure
which includes bowling, Royal Winter Fair, apple orchards, parks, zoos and restaurants and HRC is affiliated with the
Ontario Special Olympics.
Chapel. Chaplain on the premises for the resident’s spiritual needs providing multi-denominational services and
counselling. Some residents attend weekly services at churches in Orillia.
Hairdressing. Residents also have access to a hairdresser on site if they choose, for regular haircuts and styling
opportunities. Make-up application and manicures are also offered.
Maintenance
Many others support residential living areas.
· Cleaners who keep things sanitary and are trained in the proper use of chemicals. They provide laundry services
for personal items in the living areas as well.
· Laundry Workers who attend to linen services for the residents.
· The Carpenter shop is responsible for repairs, construction, design and estimating costs of all major and minor
projects at H. R. C. As the residents age their needs increase and this department offers redesign of their environment
on ever changing health issues, Specialty trades such as locksmith, window glazing and cabinet making are some
examples of the skills required to maintain the HRC infrastructure to a standard that meets the individual needs of each
client.
· On-site Steam Power Plant, which supplies heating and environmental comfort to those working and living in our
large facility. This steam plant is highly cost efficient, cheap to run and to maintain compared with other large heating
systems. It provides heat at far lower costs than modern oil or electrical-fired pocket boilers. The Heat Generators are
almost totally non-polluting, again far ahead in caring for the environment than any other individual heating system. No
carcinogens are expelled in the air we breathe and no negative impact on Global warming from this location! It is
operated around the clock under the direction and control of a Chief Engineer, and each shift in staffed by a government-
licensed operator called a “Power Engineer”. The miles and miles of piping and countless pieces of heating equipment
to which the Heat Generators are attached are monitored and maintained by Qualified Licensed Tradesmen employed on
the H.R.C. Maintenance staff, one of whom is an Inter-Provincial Licensed Steamfitter, trained in the installation and
maintenance of High Pressure Steam and other heating systems.
· Mechanic 3’s are responsible for the pool, therapeutic hot tub, all appliances (such as washers, dryers,
dishwashers, stoves, and refrigerators), scrub machines, food tuggers, laundry tuggers, personal carriers, boats,
barbecues, refrigerants and generators. They also work with the carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and steamfitters.
Mechanic 3 is a hands on person that is able to work in all fields of maintenance. They are also required to have a number
of certificates such as first aid, C.P.R., C.P.I., Asbestos removal, C.P.O. (certified pool operator), confine space entry, O.D.
P. (ozone depletion protocol), as well as a part of our hazardous waste control team.
· Mending—our on-site completely stocked sewing/mending room, providing updated specialty items tailored to the
individual needs of each client (that is not currently available in the public sector). Supplying items not readily found in
the public sector such as—feeding tube covers, weighted blankets, bags, mitts, and footwear made for feet that cannot
be fitted with shoe store shoes. As we as providing mending service with specialty clothing manufactured for each of the
clients to meet the demand of the specialized daily requirements. The seamstress has many years of experience in the
manufacture of specialty garments and also has to keep current the C.P.R., emergency first aid and C.P.I. (crisis
intervention techniques).
· Stores—On-site store providing clothing, shoes and supplies offers items that are difficult to obtain in the
community or clothing and shoes for difficult to fit residents or specialty items. Great savings are achieved through bulk
buying on even the regular clothes of the residents.
· Switchboard—Handles the large volume of phone calls and provides vital communication throughout our facility.
Assists residents to make phone calls to relative