"Despite severe cuts to our management staff because of the CMI numbers, for us to maintain our high level of care and for staff morale to be so high is remarkable," says Mary Lynn.

CMI numbers reflect funding outcomes, geared to the variety of care needs in a long-term care home. Greater care needs push up the funding envelope for a home. Nursing and personal care needs are determined by assessing criteria, which include activities of daily living, behaviours and continence.

The data is then grouped together to determine the total care requirements of all residents in each home. This measure is used to determine the home's level of funding.

Mary Lynn says West Lake's annual inspection by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, revealed no unmet standards, another accomplishment the home is proud of, she says.

The home’s family council also got off the ground this year, something West Lake has been trying to achieve for 10 years. "It’s casual and small but it’s established now," says Mary Lynn.

With a new year full of a great number of changes on the horizon, including more provincial standards and compliances, Mary Lynn says they will be challenged by the new rule for 24-hour registered nurse (RN) coverage.

"Even though we have managed to recently hire a couple of RNs, the challenge remains to have enough of them in place to ensure we have coverage."

As well, in 2005 the year will be spent carefully documenting procedures and practices in preparation for the home’s 2006 accreditation renewal, says Mary Lynn.