Photo courtesy of Jarlette Health Services
Dear Minister Kusendova,
On behalf of CARP’s Advocacy Working Group on Long Term Care, we are writing to you today to express our congratulations on the work you are doing to improve the care for residents in Ontario’s Long Term Care Homes (LTCH). Your recent announcement of investing $9 million over three years to train staff in emotion-based care models is groundbreaking and demonstrates the commitment of the government to improve the quality of life for those both living and working in long-term care!
We know how critical well planned and successfully executed training has been in the implementation of innovative models of care such as the Eden Alternative, the Green House Project and the Butterfly Approach. We believe that this funding, focusing on emotion-based training, will help to create and enhance the culture of care in all long-term care homes. Drawing on existing expertise from leaders in this field who have already developed training programs for innovative models of care in Ontario will ensure a framework that incorporates sustainability measures providing positive outcomes for years to come.
Again, our congratulations and best wishes as you continue the work to improve the care of residents and their families in Ontario’s LTCHs as well as the working life of those who provide care and support to them.
Yours sincerely,
Kathy Wright
Chair, CARP Advocacy Working Group on Long-term Care www.changeltcnow.ca
Margaret Geare, Social Action Committee, Chair RWTO (Retired Women’s Teachers Ontario)
Gwen Kavanagh, Chair, CARP Barrie and Surrounding Area
Murray Etherington, Chair, CARP Mississauga
Gay Viecelli, Chair, Long-term Care Transformation Committee, CARP Windsor Essex
Tom Carrothers, Chair, CARP Halton
Louise Warr, Chair, CARP Greater Bay of Quinte Area
Gloria McKibbin, Chair, CARP London-St. Thomas
Thank you, Kathy, for your lead here. Now if Minister Kusendova will promote the building of non-profit long term care homes modeled after those being built around the world … no more for-profit and no more institutions. Meanwhile, current LTCHs (both non-profit and for-profit) should be encouraged to make as many changes as possible to move in the culture change direction. Financial incentives would help.
Mrs. Gay Viecelli, Chair
CARP Windsor-Essex Chapter LTC Transformation Committee
Thanks for your feedback on Kathy’s initiative. Appreciated.
I so strongly agree. The funding is such good news, but truly person-centered care can only be made possible when we end congregate dining and aggregated care: no more 32 bed units sharing a cafeteria dining experience. Existing LTCHs need support to reconfigure and all new builds should be required to follow the more innovative concepts we are seeing in other countries. A 32 bed unit cannot ever be truly “home-like”. We need genuinely warm and welcoming homes.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Appreciated.
Barbara
Well said Kathy.
Thanks for your encouragement. Appreciated.
How great to see the government do this, and how appropriate for CARP Chapters to congratulate Ontario officials for this exciting initiative.
Thanks, again, Claude Paul, for your continued support and encouragement.
Kathy’s post is good news indeed and gives new hope for the future.
I think Mrs. Viecelli’s comments are encouraging as well. I fully support her hope for government action to make all LTC present and future into person-based care model. Thank you to all who are working to promote humane care for seniors.
Thanks for taking the time to comment on Kathy’s post. Appreciated.
Barbara