Innovation & Excellence - Summary of Submissions for the 2002 OANHSS Awards
Sharing successes and innovative approaches to services for seniors is what the OANHSS Awards program is all about. This year we had some truly unique and exciting submissions reflecting the creative things going on every day in member organizations. Below is a summary of the entries received for the following awards:
2002 Recipient:
- Lakeshore Lodge - "That's the Whole Dip"
2002 Honourable Mentions:
- St. Patrick's Home of Ottawa - "Nursing Buddy Program"- Pleasant Manor - "Bringing Church to the People"
- Bendale Acres - "Thyme on Our Hands"
- St. Joseph's Health Centre, Guelph - "Enhanced Living Model Philosophy of Care and Service"
- Fairview Mennonite Home - "Angel Cafe"
- Residence Saint-Louis - "On-site Day Care for Children"
- Carefree Lodge - "Implementing Gentle Care on All Units"
- City of Toronto Homes for the Aged - "Music Therapy Program"
- Region of York Maple Health Centre - "Internet Access for Residents"
2002 Recipient:
- Castleview-Wychwood Towers - "Beauty in Cultural Diversity"
2002 Honourable Mentions:
- St. Patrick's Home of Ottawa - "Nursing Buddy Program"- Bonnechere Manor - "Employee Wellness Program"
- St. Joseph's Health Centre, Guelph - "Enhanced Living Model Philosophy of Care and Service"
- Toronto Homes for the Aged - "Enhanced Workplace Quality for Nurses"
Recipient - 2002 Innovation & Excellence Award - "Supporting Seniors" Category
Lakeshore
Lodge
"That's the Whole Dip"
In
partnership with Humber College School of Performing Arts, Lakeshore Lodge
created a dramaturgy portraying the lives of 12 residents.
Students
were each assigned a resident with the task of exploring and presenting the
resident’s life in an original and inspiring presentation.
The goals of the program were two-fold – to bridge the two institutions
and provide an opportunity for two groups to interact who would normally never
meet and to involve the residents in the project as they shared their life
experiences. The experience stimulated a ‘treasure trove’ of memories.
Staff,
volunteers and residents were all involved in the project.
The auditorium of Lakeshore Lodge was transformed into a theater and
staff, residents and family members enjoyed all four performances.
This
production enabled the residents to share the essence of who they are with
family, friends and the audience.
‘There
was an enormous impact on both the players and storytellers – as students in
their early twenties had the unique opportunity to become intimate with
storytellers in their eighties.’
The
residents and students have maintained their special relationships with cards,
phone calls and visitations.
The program can be implemented by anyone willing to work with a theatre school or group.
For more information contact Lil Brown at 416-392-9409
Castleview-Wychwood
Towers
"Beauty in Cultural Diversity"
The
Quality Council of Castleview Wychwood Towers held a ‘Beauty in Cultural
Diversity ‘ week as the theme for their annual 2001 Customer Service Week.
Several
activities were held throughout the week but the culmination was an event in the
auditorium where staff were given passports to visit the displays of the five
prominent cultures in the home. Passports were stamped as staff and residents
visited the displays.
Working
with volunteers from each of the cultural communities identified, the staff
helped develop the program and set up the displays that included artifacts and
food. Staff and volunteers vetted information related to the various cultures.
Most participants wore their national costume.
Prizes
in keeping with the cultural theme were drawn from completed passports and
word-find puzzles.
There
has been a subsequent increase in understanding, respect and sensitivity to
cultural diversity since the event.
This
program can be adopted by anyone willing to work with the various cultural
communities in their organization.
For
more information contact Cathy Renwick at 416-392-5700
“Every
morning appears to be an Olympic race getting residents up, washed, to the
bathroom, dressed, serving and feeding breakfast, bath schedule, bed-making,
answering call bells…….”
Providing
quality assistance to residents with complex care needs is becoming increasingly
stressful. In
an attempt to minimize the day-to-day pressures, a ‘Nursing Buddy’ program
was implemented as a pilot project in October 2001 on two units.
Volunteers
assist staff from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Volunteers are teamed with a staff member and assist in many tasks such
as setting up and tidying up after meals, assist with serving/feeding residents,
making beds, serving water or juice, spending time with the residents and
reporting concerns
to the buddy nurse.
A
comprehensive evaluation survey indicated that more than 85% of staff and
volunteers found the program useful, helpful and that it reduced the daily
stressors.
Plans are underway to expand the program to additional nursing units.
Cost
to implement the program is minimal.
St. Patrick’s provides beverage and a meal ticket to volunteers while
they are on duty.
The program can easily be implemented by any organization open to
volunteer involvement.
For
more information contact Suzanne Jeansonne, Coordinator of Volunteer Services,
613-731-4056.
Pleasant
Manor
"Bringing Church to the People"
Pleasant
Manor has purchased and installed a telecommunications system that allows the
transmission of local church services into individual apartments through
microwave frequencies.
Partnering
with the local churches, the people living at Pleasant Manor can now watch a
Sunday morning church service in their own language and style of worship.
The project has expanded to include broadcasts of special events,
allowing residents to share times of grief and joy as well.
The
success of the project has been the involvement of the volunteers, residents and
relationships with the local churches who provide the person to operate the
equipment at the church every Sunday.
This
project has some limitations – mainly the distance involved in transmission
and the need to raise funding. Where it can be accomplished, implementation
enhances the bond between church members and their church and provides seniors
the opportunity to safely attend worship where ill health, increased frailty or
infirmity may have limited them in the past.
For more information contact Tim Siemens at 905-468-2234
Bendale
Acres
"Thyme on Our Hands"
An outdoor herbs and vegetable garden was started in the spring of 2001 by a small group of residents selected by the Occupational Therapist.
During
the harvest season, vegetables were given to the recreation department who made
salads with residents on the units. At the end of the season, the herbs were
collected and dried. Cognitively
impaired residents attending OT sensory stimulation groups placed cooking herbs
in small bags with labels providing instructions. Dried lavender was used to make sachets and relaxing eye
pillows.
Costs
to implement the program are minimal – lightweight, telescopic gardening tools
($60.00) and the plants and seeds ($40.00) Costs in the second year will be
less, as the herbs are perennial.
Residents
involved in the project enjoyed the opportunity to be outdoors in the summer
looking after their garden – and residents not involved appreciated the
fragrance during their outdoor walks.
Plans
are under way to increase the size of the project and the variety of plants for
the 2002 garden. For those
who do not have an outdoor area, herbs can be grown indoors in a sunny window.
For more information contact Wendy Paterson, Employee Health Coordinator at 613-432-4873.
Bonnechere
Manor
"Employee Wellness Program"
In
2001, Bonnechere Manor began to develop an Employee Wellness Program designed to
increase awareness, provide assessment and education as well as provide support
and maintenance in the area of employee health. To coordinate the program, a
part-time Employee Health Coordinator was hired in the fall of 2001.
Programs
offered to staff include smoking cessation, a walking program, a lunchtime
fitness program (with trainers from the local health club), weight reduction,
and a nutrition course. In
development is a back care program. On
a monthly basis blood pressure monitoring and a nutrition cooking class are
offered. Since the beginning of the
program, there has been increased awareness of health-related issues, a decrease
in musculo-skeletal injuries that translates into fewer WSIB claims, a
significant weight loss among employees, increased morale and increased
participation in programs.
The program can easily be implemented in any organization, regardless of size. There are many free or inexpensive resources and materials available in the community. Community partners include the Renfrew County Health Unit, Arnprior Hospital, The Renfrew Victoria Hospital and a local health club. Hiring a coordinator is optional but the return on investment is well worth the cost.
For
more information contact Wendy Paterson, Employee Health Coordinator at
613-432-4873.
St.
Joseph’s Health Centre, Guelph
"Enhanced Living Model Philosophy of Care and Service"
In
1993, St. Joseph’s Health Centre developed the ‘Enhanced Living Model’, a
resident centred philosophy of care and service delivery. The model brings
together “medical and social aspects of a resident’s life and is based on
the values of knowing the whole person, the importance of relationships and
choices, and resident participation in daily planning and activities.”
The
Enhanced Living Model is characterized by:
Neighbourhoods offering a homelike environment with friendly living spaces and resident choices.
Life
plans for each resident providing a holistic and individualized approach to
life.
Maintaining
involvement with the community.
Sensitive,
capable and qualified staff.
Responsive
leadership.
Each
neighbourhood is completely independent. Staff
assignments are consistent so that residents and staff alike are familiar with
each other and the members of the team. Residents are encouraged to participate
in neighbourhood meetings as well as planning and program sessions.
There
is no monetary cost to implementing the Enhanced Living Model.
The neighbourhood concept can be applied in almost any space.
There
has been a ‘dramatic’ improvement in compliance to LTC standards – last
year every neighbourhood met every standard.
For
more information, contact Rita Soluk or Pat Ordowich at 519-824-6000
Fairview
Mennonite Home is a relatively new home with four units. In the Blair unit, a
secure unit for residents with dementia, staff noticed that private laundry
facilities were rarely used. After
attending a ‘Gentle Care’ program, the staff proposed that this space could
be more effectively used as a small area where residents could socialize with
family, other residents and staff. The familiar smell of food cooking was an
added attraction in encouraging residents to use intact social skills – and
the room also lends itself to small group activity.
Ten
staff members who involved their spouses and the spouses’ companies who
contributed either goods or money provided much of the needed renovation. The
actual cost to the home was approximately $100.00. In addition, funding was
provided for additional staff members to attend Gentle Caring training through
the Alzheimer Initiative as well as for the purchase of non-breakable dishes.
“
As a family member….. the Angel Café is very frequently being enjoyed as a
lovely gentle care spot to linger while at Blair Wing.”
The
feedback has been very positive from all concerned – residents, staff and
families. Staff has noted a marked decrease in problematic behavior and an
increased sense of calm in the unit as residents go about their daily activities
with an increased sense of usefulness and competency.
"The
nationwide shortage of health care workers is challenging LTC facility leaders
as never before ……….In January 2001, Toronto Homes for the Aged set out on
an innovative course to improve workplace quality for nurses – RNs, RPNs, and
Nurse Managers."
In the past fifteen months we have conducted Staff Worklife Satisfaction surveys to identify key themes that impact on the quality of work life, conducted focus groups with nurse managers to further clarify the issues and scheduled Town Hall meetings with nurses, General Managers and Resident Care managers to validate the information received and identify barriers to implementation. We used Quality Improvement techniques to develop work plans, assignment of responsibilities and target dates.
As a result, to date, Toronto Homes for the Aged have conducted Nursing Practice Workshops, Leading Your Team skill training sessions, established Nursing Practice Committees, implemented revisions to human resource policies in recruitment and retention, simplified resident care practices, increased clerical resources and information technology support and conducted RPN Workshops.
For more information contact Sandra Pitters at 416-392-8909.
The benefit of inter-generational programming for children and for residents of long term care facilities is well documented. To that end, a day care centre was opened for children between the ages of 18 months and 5 years in partnership with Centre préscholaire Coccinelle d’Orléans. Intergenerational activities include exercises, music, baking, special holiday events, open house hours at the day care and planned and spontaneous visits by the children. Residents can also enjoy watching the children at play from the nearby lounge area.
The
main goal of the program is to enhance the quality of life of the residents.
Other benefits include the transfer of French-Canadian culture and
traditions and the development of positive attitudes toward aging for children
in the day care program. The
program is also of benefit in the recruitment and retention of staff.
Funding to implement the program was obtained from the Regional Municipality of Ottawa and the Ontario Trillium Foundation for renovation and equipment costs. Résidence Saint-Louis provides food, laundry and environmental services at cost. Others wishing to implement the program might seek an established day care provider who is considering expanding services in their community.
For more
information contact Hélène Tassé at 613-824-1720.
Carefree
Lodge has implemented a facility-wide “gentle care” philosophy, changing to
a more “home like” atmosphere.
Among
the many changes that have been instituted as a result of this philosophy are
such things as a therapeutic garden on the main floor with safe access to the
grounds and a music system in the lounge and dining room at the request of the
clients to provide a more enjoyable dining experience.
Bathing and shower rooms were renovated for a more ‘home like’
atmosphere. On other floors, an Internet café allows residents to
communicate electronically with family and friends.
The implementation of a continental breakfast enhances choice, both in
food and the time when a resident chooses to get out of bed. Afternoon and
evening recreational activities are planned with resident input and a
kitchenette is being installed.
The
benefits of such a program are intangible and can only be measured in the
satisfaction of our clients and staff. All
renovations were designed for positive stimulation of the senses. In the
bathrooms, towels are tactile and colorful, lighting is enhanced and an
essential oil dispenser has been installed.
In the halls, more colorful pictures are being displayed
Life
Panels, portraying the life of the resident have been introduced both to cue the
impaired resident and also to let staff know the ‘real’ resident.
The
changes can be costly to implement but most of the money came from efforts of
volunteers and family to raise funds. Some
funding was obtained from various charitable organizations and service clubs.
Community linkages provided material and expertise; for example, both
Seneca College and the local Horticultural Society were involved in the design
of the Therapeutic Garden.
For more information contact Debbie Araujo at 416-397-1500.
Music
Therapy is becoming increasingly recognized for its ability to address the
problems and conditions that accompany the aging process.
In the hands of a trained Music Therapist, music is a very powerful tool.
The
Music Therapy program at the City of Toronto Homes for the Aged targets a very
specific group of residents. Program Managers identify clients who are receiving
two services or less. These are usually clients who do not easily fit into
regular, existing programs. They are often non-verbal or bedridden.
In many cases there is a language barrier or the resident is highly
confused and demonstrates few observable responses.
For
these clients, a Music Therapist uses music and the therapeutic relationship to
connect with all people on a meaningful level. Music Therapy reaches the part of
the person that is healthy, vibrant and alive, the part of the human spirit that
is not afflicted with illness and does not age.
The Music Therapists at the Toronto Homes for the Aged are making small but significant breakthroughs on a daily basis.
For more information contact Melanie Keyes at 416-778-0431.
The Volunteer Committee at Maple Health Centre donated the funds for a computer for resident and family use. High speed Internet access and a router was added so that the unit can be used between the Long Term Care Facility and the Adult Day Program.
Residents
greatly enjoy receiving emails from family and friends.
One resident receives mail from five different sources, many receive
birthday cards and photos and they can also share the newsletter with friends
who don’t receive it. The
ability to stay in touch is greatly enhancing the quality of life for these
residents.
Several
residents are learning a new skill with the help of student volunteers who work
with the resident one on one.
The
main cost of this program is the initial purchase of equipment. All activities
can be adapted to the level of the resident in the facility.
The success of the program relies heavily on the one to one
support available to the client but many learn to access the resource on
their own.
The
full potential of the program is yet to be realized. Plans for 2002 include
linkages with a grade school classroom and the purchase of a digital camera to
allow residents to send photos with their emails.
For
more information contact Suzanne Heideman at 905-303-0133.
Questions?
For more information on the OANHSS Awards Program, contact
Sharon
Clark-Koufis at 905-851-8821 ext 237.
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OANHSS members include not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and
housing for seniors in Ontario.
Members include municipal and charitable long term care homes, non-profit
nursing homes,
seniors' housing projects and community
service agencies.