Nursing homes, Senior homes, Guest homes, whatever you call them, are an essential part of our society. They provide our seniors with a safe, comfortable place to live and enjoy their lives.

Standards for these long term care residential homes are, as you would expect, very high. The Nova Scotia Department of Health oversees these homes with a vast list of regulations, policies and initiatives designed with the comfort of the resident in mind.

The Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Specialist assist with inspecting these facilities with a view towards food safety and infection control. They make recommendations to the operators and the Department of Health.

Educational sessions are also held with the staff of the residential homes with topics such as food safety, environmental sanitation, personal hygiene and infection control. Outbreak investigations are conducted under the direction of the Medical Officer of Health.