Rotary Flames House Family Handbook
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Rotary
Flames
House
Family
Handbook
Rotary Flames House
Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Services ∙ 18 Children’s Drive NW, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8
Tel: 403‐955‐5500 ∙ Fax: 403‐955‐5501
www.rotaryflameshouse.ca
www.albertahealthservices.ca
Table of Contents
Welcome 2
Acknowledgements 2
Family Rights and Responsibilities 3
Where We Are Located 3
Our Team 4
Our Program 5
Kitchen and Meals 7
Laundry Services 8
Housekeeping Services 8
Internet/Video Game Use 8
The House 9
Arranging a Respite Stay 11
What to Bring 12
Going Home 13
Cost of Services 13
Friends, Family and Siblings 13
Privacy and Confidentiality 14
Parking 14
Fire and Safety 15
Contact Information 16
Notes 17
2|Pa g e
Welcome
The Rotary Flames House is a community‐based hospice that serves families from Alberta who are
caring for a child or youth, 0‐17 years old, with a progressive life‐threatening or life‐limiting condition.
The Rotary Flames House provides:
٠ Planned and emergency respite for children and their families.
٠ Symptom management
٠ Specialized end of life care that honours the primary role of the family and community.
Care is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by a team of trained healthcare professionals in a
supportive, welcoming, and collaborative environment.
The Rotary Flames House is located near the Alberta Children’s Hospital grounds, just across from the
heli‐pad and near the bus stop. It is modeled after a two‐storey home and is designed to be a place of
sanctuary for families and children.
The House has 2 family suites plus 8 bedrooms for children and youth. On the main floor is a large
kitchen and dining room, living room, library, and several recreation rooms for use by the whole
family.
This handbook will explain the services and basic guidelines of the Rotary Flames House. The House is
shared by many families, so we hope these guidelines will make your family’s stay more comfortable.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Acknowledgements
The Rotary Flames House gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice
in Vancouver, and Roger’s House in Ottawa in the development of this handbook.
3|Pa g e
Family Rights and Responsibilities
At Rotary Flames House we are committed to providing family‐centered care and supporting your
rights as a caregiver along with those of your child.
While you are at the House you and your child will have the right to:
٠ Ask for and receive help
٠ Know what papers you are signing
٠ Be informed about the care being given to your child/youth in terms/language that you can
understand
٠ Be treated with respect and courtesy
٠ Privacy and confidentiality
٠ Ask for clarification about the care your child/youth is receiving and to discuss this care with
other health care providers, and
٠ Be treated in a culturally sensitive manner
In return, you and your child/youth are responsible to:
٠ Bring your concerns to the appropriate staff
٠ Identify your needs to a staff member
٠ Supervise young siblings and/or visitors of your child
٠ Treat the House, staff , and other families with respect
We are all members of the same team – family, children and youth, staff, and volunteers. If you have
any concerns please make them known to a staff member. We put safety above all other
considerations.
4|Pa g e
Where We Are Located
The Rotary Flames House is situated on the Northeast corner of the Alberta Children's Hospital
grounds at 18 Children’s Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T3B 6A8
This is directly across from the helicopter pad and near the bus stop.
5|Pa g e
The Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Service (CHaPS) Team
The interdisciplinary team at the Rotary Flames House provides services in the hospice, hospitals, and
within the community.
Our specialized palliative care team includes:
Nurses
Physicians
Grief Support Coordinators
Chaplain
Child Life Specialist
Calgary Board of Education Teacher
Music Therapist
Horticulture Therapist
Therapeutic Clowns
Support Staff
Volunteers
We strive to provide the best possible comprehensive care while your child is staying at the House.
We will work with you to create a family‐centered, palliative care plan. You, your child/youth, or
Rotary Flames House team members can request a family meeting at any time. Regular meetings with
staff ensure open communication, so we plan to meet with your family at least once per year.
Nursing
The nursing care team is comprised of a pediatric palliative care clinical nurse specialist, nurse
clinician, registered nurses, and nursing assistants who work together to provide 24 hour care, and a
consultative family support.
Physicians
Experienced pediatric palliative care physicians are on‐call 24 hours a day for children at Rotary
Flames House.
Grief Support Coordinators
Grief Support Coordinators provide psychosocial support to children and their families. They are
available to assist with difficult decision making and memento building, as well as supporting
coordination of instrumental needs such as transportation, resources, finances, and child care, when
this is required. Many children with families are already working with Social Workers at the Alberta
Children’s Hospital or in their own community. They offer specialized support around anticipatory
grief and bereavement care.
6|Pa g eSpiritual Care
Chaplains are available to provide your family with spiritual and emotional support that is sensitive to
personal, cultural, and ethnic beliefs and rituals surrounding life, illness, and death.
School/Teacher/Programming
A Calgary Board of Education teacher provides individualized onsite education for children three
mornings a week.
Child Life Specialist
The role of the certified Child Life Specialist includes the development of recreational, diversion, and
therapeutic play activities for children. The Child Life Specialist is also involved in legacy building,
milestone celebrations, use of the multi‐sensory room, and event planning for the Rotary Flames
House.
Support Staff
Our Support Staff help to ensure that your stay at the House is comfortable. We ask that you respect
the House and do your best to keep it clean and tidy.
Volunteers
Our team of volunteers support the professional care team. They contribute their time, talents, and
care to the families who stay at the House through all stages of their journey.
7|Pa g eOur Program
Children/youth with progressive life‐threatening or life‐limiting conditions are welcome to stay at the
Rotary Flames House, either independently or with their families, for the following reasons:
Respite Care (Short Breaks)
Respite Care may be pre‐booked for up to 30 nights per year. 24 hour care is provided during a
respite stay to allow families time for rest and renewal. Parents will spend at least the first night of
their child’s first visit with them at the House so that staff can get to know the child and his/her
routines. Family members may choose to stay with their child at any time or, alternatively, to have a
caregiver stay to provide added support and company. Stays are available from 1 ‐14 consecutive
nights. Please also see the ‘Booking Guidelines’ document provided.
Symptom Management
Supportive care is available to help manage the adverse physical and emotional symptoms of a child’s
illness or the side effects of treatments. However, children whose symptoms require investigations,
monitoring or consultation with sub‐specialty doctors still need to be admitted to the hospital. Our
team will work together with you and the rest of your child’s specialists to decide where the best
place would be.
End of Life Care
Comprehensive services to support symptom management and quality of life for both the child and
family are available during the last hours, days, or weeks of life.
Day/Evening Recreation Programs
Therapeutic play and recreation opportunities are planned by our Child Life Therapist and offered as
day programs for children/youth and their families.
Child Life provides both individual and group programming for children and siblings at the House.
Programs are tailored to the specific needs and ages of the children involved, while taking into
consideration family interests and goals of stay. A bus is occasionally available for both planned and
spontaneous outings. Parents or guardians are responsible for the supervision of siblings when they
are not involved in formal program activities. At times, volunteers may be able to help with sibling
supervision, but nursing staff is not available for this role.
8|Pa g eKitchen and Meals
Three meals a day, in addition to snacks, are provided to children/youth and their immediate family
members when they are overnight guests at the Rotary Flames House. Our chefs follow Canada’s
Food Guide for Healthy Eating and when possible accommodate any dietary restrictions that
children/youth may have.
Food Allergies
Please notify staff of any allergies or special dietary requirements when you book your stay. At the
time of admission you will be asked to complete a form regarding your dislikes/allergies that the chef
will keep on file.
Food Brought from Home
A family fridge and freezer are available if you’d like to bring food from home. Please label and date
all food stored in this fridge as it will be emptied and cleaned out weekly.
Kitchen Hygiene
For safety and infection control purposes only the chefs are permitted to use the side of the kitchen
furthest from the windows. Staff and families are to use only windows side and far end of the
kitchen. Everyone is reminded of the importance of hand‐hygiene when entering and leaving the
kitchen area before and after meals.
Meal Times
The kitchen is staffed from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm daily.
Meal Times are as follows:
Breakfast available (self serve): 7:00 to 9:00 am
Lunch available: 12:00 to 1:00 pm
Dinner available: 5:00 to 6:00 pm
A fruit basket and snacks are available in the kitchen along with coffee, tea, and juice. Meals and
snacks should be eaten in the dining room unless you are staying in a family suite where you are
permitted to make your own drinks and snacks if desired.
Meal Costs
A nominal fee is charged for meals eaten at the House by extended family members and friends.
Meals for all guests must be arranged with the chef by 10 a.m. on the day the meal(s) is required.
Coffee and tea are complimentary.
9|Pa g eLaundry Services
Bed linens and towels are provided at the House, as is laundry service for children’s clothing during
their stay.
Families are welcome to bring their own bed linens and towels from home, but hospital policy does
not permit House staff to launder them. Washers and dryers are available for family use during
scheduled times of the day; Just ask our staff
Housekeeping Services
Housekeeping staff work from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 7 days a week, however, your help in keeping
the House clean and tidy is greatly appreciated. In the event of spills or accidents, please let staff
know immediately.
Computer and Internet Use
Computers are available for families on the main floor of the House, and wireless internet can be
accessed on personal laptops. Net Nanny is the program we utilize to filter out inappropriate sites.
Be aware that any changes you make to the settings on Rotary Flames House computers will be
deleted when the computer is shut down. If you need to save a file please e‐mail it to yourself. Out
of courtesy, limit your computer use when others are waiting, print only what’s necessary, and either
use headphones or keep the volume turned down.
Please use hand sanitizer before and after using a computer or telephone, and always clean the
keyboard with an alcohol pad after each use. There is no food or drink allowed around the House
computers, and we ask that you keep the area surrounding the computer tidy.
Video Game Use
The House has several different video game systems that can be enjoyed by children/youth and their
families. Please note the following guidelines:
٠ Make sure each person uses the hand sanitizer before touching controls or keyboards. Please
wipe controllers with an alcohol pad and return controllers and games to their original places
when you are finished. Put games that are not being played in their cases to prevent scratches.
٠ Limit your usage time when others are waiting.
٠ If you bring a game from home, make sure it is appropriate for everyone in the room at the
time (i.e. no violent or scary games when young children are in the room).
٠ Keep the volume down.
٠ Food and drink are not allowed anywhere near the TV, consoles or controllers.
No Smoking or Alcohol Policy
There is a No Smoking or Alcohol Policy in the House and on the immediate grounds.
10 | P a g eThe House
Families and children helped design the Rotary Flames House to provide a comfortable, easily
accessible environment. Tracking for lifts runs throughout many of the House’s common rooms to
ensure the safe transfer of children. All doors and hallways are accessible for children in wheelchairs
or beds, and an abundance of windows allow for plenty of natural light and fresh air.
Our Shared Spaces
The Foyer is where people enter the House. Shoes are removed and placed on shelves in the
entrance to make it more home‐like and to help us keep the House clean and free from allergens. At
the reception desk family and friends are greeted and sign the visitor/guest book prior to going
upstairs to the patient rooms. Badges are provided on the desk so that we can identify family and
friends.
The Memorial Table, located in the foyer beside the door to the dining room, is used when a child is
in the House for end of life care. An unlit lamp is placed on top of the table to bring awareness to
other families and guests of this sensitive situation. The light is turned on in honour of the child after
he or she dies.
The Kitchen/Dining Room is the heart of the House where staff, children/youth and their families eat
and share time together.
The Living Room has a fireplace and a unique wall with original and interactive art work. It also has a
large table for gatherings and playing board games.
The Library contains a large variety of both fiction and non‐fiction books for adults and children.
Among other things, you can find a collection of books on grief and bereavement on its shelves.
There is also a mobile book cart upstairs that is stocked from these shelves.
The Flames Room is a place for play and entertainment. It contains a Wii, Xbox, and Playstation game
systems, a large TV, as well as air hockey table.
The Rumpus Room houses many toys for all ages, computers for homework or games, costumes and
a stage for shows, and a piano. For children’s safety this room in locked when not in use. If you want
to use the Rumpus Room a staff member will unlock it and orient you to safety and infection control
processes.
The Teen Room houses more games and a TV, as well as a high‐speed computer for gaming. It is
geared towards older children/youth and families. We prefer that this room is only used by those 13
years of age and older.
11 | P a g eThe Multi‐sensory Room is a very special environment which provides tactile, visual, and auditory
stimulation. Children will be individually assessed for the suitability of specific activities that can be
accessed in the room. Therapeutic sessions are coordinated by the Child Life Specialist. Only staff
may invite children to use this room, and they must be present to supervise at all times. Before
entering the room each child and adult must use the hand sanitizer. Socks, not shoes, must be worn
in the multi‐sensory room.
On the second floor you will find:
The Sun Room, aptly named for it two full banks of windows and variety of chairs in which to sit and
enjoy the sunshine, the Great Room in front of the Nursing Station, containing comfortable chairs and
a big‐screen TV, and a Tub Room with a special hydrotherapy tub and wheelchair accessible shower.
Outside, but accessed from the second floor, is the ‘Lighthouse’ which is a heated patio containing its
own set of lighted constellations on the ceiling.
Personal Spaces
The Bedrooms are situated on the second floor. Each bedroom has a child’s bed or crib, a sofa bed,
reclining chair, television, and a private bathroom. Rooms are equipped with wall suction and oxygen,
and all bedrooms and bathrooms are linked to the Nursing Station by a call bell system.
Two Family Suites are available, each containing a family bedroom with a King‐sized bed, a separate
bathroom, and a common room that has a microwave and mini‐fridge. A respite quite is also
available, with a queen sized Hide‐A‐Bed and private bathroom for families.
Windows open to allow fresh air in, and each bedroom has its own personally controlled
heating/cooling system for the comfort of each guest.
12 | P a g eArranging a Respite Stay
If your child has a progressive life‐threatening or life‐limiting condition and you are interested in
finding out more about the Rotary Flames House, you can contact us at (403) 955‐5051.
We will obtain more information about your child and determine (with you and your professional
caregivers) whether staying at the Rotary Flames House would be a good fit for your child and family.
If your child is not previously known to the CHaPS team then a consultation will be arranged with the
palliative care team. In addition, before the first visit we will arrange a family meeting to discuss your
goals for the stay and tell you more about the operation of the House.
When your stay is booked you will be asked to book an admission appointment. A few days before
you are booked to come stay our staff will call you to review any updates to medications or care.
When you come for your appointment you must bring all your child’s medication and equipment. All
medications must be in their original containers with the current dosages on the label. Any liquid
medications must be in a clean bottle with a readable label. There must be enough medication and
formula feeds for your child’s entire stay at the House.
Please mention at the time of the pre‐visit phone call any recent history of exposure to communicable
diseases.
On the day of your child’s admission please arrive with sufficient time to move equipment into the
room prior to your appointment with the team. During the appointment we will review your child’s
medical status, medications, your child’s care plan, medication schedule, consents, and House
routines. We’ll also make a list of the things you brought with you to ensure nothing is left behind at
discharge. All equipment will be set up and checked while you are present. Please be on time for your
appointment and allow plenty of time to review this information with us if you are leaving your child
at the House without a guardian after the first visit. This process is likely to take a minimum of 60
minutes, and may make take longer for your child’s first visit or if there have been many changes in
your child’s medical status or care plan.
If at any time during admission for respite your child shows signs of an infectious condition we will
contact you to take him/her home.
Although it happens rarely, your respite visit may need to be rescheduled if a dying child/youth and
his or her family require the room. We will do our best to avoid any inconvenience to you, and
appreciate your understanding in this situation.
13 | P a g eWhat to Bring
When packing for your stay it is important that you bring anything your child/youth needs on a daily
basis. Coming to Rotary Flames House is like going to stay at a friend’s house, but it is quite different
from going to the hospital
Some reminders:
Bring an adequate supply of accurately labeled medications for your stay. If you need pill
crushers or splitters, please label them and bring them along. (we can also label them for you)
We will supply syringes for medication administration during the stay.
Bring all equipment/supplies such as a wheelchair, splints, nebulizers, aerochambers, suction,
communication aids, etc.
If your child is on tube feedings please bring all the equipment you normally use at home for
the length of your stay with us (like pumps, formula, and supplies)
Please also include any emergency supplies (e.g. extra G‐tube or NG tube)
Please bring all required toiletries, e.g. shampoos, soaps, lotions, toothbrush, diapers, etc.
(labeled if possible)
Ensure your child has enough clothing to last for his/her stay. We can do laundry if necessary.
CLEARLY LABEL all personal items
Please make us aware of any therapies/educational visits that are planned for your child during
his or her stay. If your child is required to leave the House for an appointment/therapy during
the stay you will need to arrange this in advance.
Some families have arranged for the bus to pick up and transport children to school from the
Rotary Flames House.
Bring any comfort items that are required to relax and settle your child in a new or different
environment.
Bring your Green Sleeve/Goals of Care documentation.
Going Home
We will review the list we created together at arrival to ensure that you leave with everything that
belongs to you. Please remember to take the Green sleeve/Goals of Care documentation with you.
Cost of Services
The Rotary Flames House is funded by Alberta Health Services, there is no cost for residents of Alberta
to stay at the House. The only fees incurred would include those for meals for extended family and
friends, and any costs related to parking.
14 | P a g eFriends, Family and Siblings
Your friends and family members are welcome at the Rotary Flames House. Since the House is a
secure facility, you will be asked at admission to provide staff with a list of approved visitors. Consent
from you or your child/youth will still be required at the time of the visit. All friends and family must
sign in and out at either the main floor reception desk or the second floor nursing station, and will be
given an identification tag to wear. Please be sensitive to the other families that are staying at the
House when determining the number and frequency of your guests.
Siblings of the children/youth who are staying at Rotary Flames House are welcome. Siblings are the
responsibility of the parent/guardian, however, and should not be left unsupervised. Children under 8
years of age are required to have an adult with them at all time regardless of where they are in the
House, including the rumpus room. Those over 8 years of age are allowed to be unsupervised in the
Flames Room, and those over 13 years of age can be in the Teen Room unsupervised. Unsupervised
children in these rooms remain the responsibility of their parents and must follow House guidelines
for the room. Children are not permitted in the kitchen area unless with a parent.
Caregivers
Many children have in home respite caregivers who may be funded through AHS or FSCD. These
community caregivers are hired, trained, and employed by the family. These caregivers often
accompany children during their stays at RFH for the purpose of continuity of psychosocial care and
knowledge of the individual child. RNs are ultimately responsible for the child’s care at RFH and will
negotiate and delegate with the family’s care team.
Privacy and Confidentiality
The Rotary Flames House administration, staff, students, and volunteers protect the privacy of all
health and personal information of children/youth and their families. This information is available
only to authorized individuals who care of your family at the Rotary Flames House.
Videos or photos of children/youth or families in the House will only be taken or shared with the
consent of a parent or legal guardian.
We ask that you respect the privacy and confidentiality of the other families with whom you share the
House. Please dress appropriately in public areas of the House (shirts, footwear are required at all
times, and robes are required when leaving your room in sleepwear).
15 | P a g eSpiritual Care
The Rotary Flames House is not affiliated with any religion. We welcome families to have their own
spiritual care advisors visit them. Please respect the privacy of other families with respect to spiritual
matters. We have a non‐denominational chaplain available for spiritual care as part of our team.
Selling
Staff and guests are not permitted to advertise services or products for sale at the Rotary Flames
House.
Gifts
Rotary Flames House staff cannot accept gifts from families. Please contact the Alberta Children’s
Hospital Foundation if you wish to make a donation to the Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care
Service and the Rotary Flames House.
Parking
Parking is available at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Passes can be purchased at the parking office
on the main floor of Alberta Children’s Hospital next to the parkade. For parking inquiries please call
(403) 955‐7947. The area directly in front of the House is only to be used for the drop off and pick up
of children and by emergency vehicles. Cars parked in front of the House for longer than 45 minutes
may be ticketed and/or towed by Parking Services. Two parking spots are available at the House free
of charge to families who are staying at the House. Each family is provided with a valid parking pass
that is to be placed on the vehicle’s dash when parked at the House during each admission.
Fire and Safety
In the case of a fire designated fire exits are clearly marked at the end of each wing of the House. If
an emergency evacuation is required, staff and members of the Fire Department will assist children
and their families to exit the building safely. All electrical devices brought to the Rotary Flames House
must be CSA approved, e.g., razors, hair dryers, radios, computers, etc.
Public Access to the Rotary Flames House is restricted. Alberta Children’s Hospital security staff patrol
the House and its grounds. The front door remains locked and those without identification badges are
buzzed in after screening via video monitor. Please note, however, that it is possible for unsupervised
children to exit the building unobserved through any of the doors.
16 | P a g eFeedback
Your feedback is appreciated, as it helps us continually improve our services. Please contact your
nurse or the Supervisor if you would like to provide feedback.
‐ Family feedback annually
Questions:
17 | P a g eContact Information
Mailing Address:
Rotary Flames House
18 Children’s Drive NW
Calgary, AB
T3B 6A8
Important Phone Numbers:
General Inquiries: 403‐955‐5500
RFH Bookings: 403‐955‐5051 or 403‐955‐5460
2nd Floor Nursing Station: 403‐955‐5502
Fax Number: 403‐955‐5501
Email: rfh.bookings@albertahealthservices.ca
18 | P a g eNotes:
19 | P a g eYou can also read
