Please join us for this important webinar.
To register, click here:
Sunnyside Adventist Care Centre: Changing one step at a time!
The journey of Sunnyside Adventist Care Centre in Saskatoon from “institution to home” started nine years ago and continues to this day!
In the beginning, when Sunnyside decided to change into the Eden Alternative Care model, they focused on trying to maintain consistent staffing. Building relationships between staff and residents was key to making the change happen. The staff realized that they needed to spend time “listening” to their residents and stop focussing so much on tasks.
They renamed their “wings” to neighborhoods and gave them recognizable names that would mean something to the residents and staff. The names Diefenbaker, Riverview, and Prairie Land were used based on name recognition and views of the outdoors. Then they removed the nursing station! This transition was not easy for staff, but the change provided more space for gathering spaces and started to make Sunnyside look like a home! Changing signage, adding lounges, artwork, creating a spa-like tub room all contributed to this feeling of “home”.
With assistance from Montgomery Sisam, architects, Sunnyside is working on a Master Plan to modernize and expand spaces so that every resident enjoys more autonomy, privacy and belonging.
To read more, click here: Sunnyside A Little Bit of our StoryOct 2025
Recording: It Takes a Whole Team: Success Stories from the Butterfly Approach
It Takes a Whole Team: Success Stories from the Butterfly Approach
Presenters: Sally Knocker & Lindsay Marinovic
Date: October 15, 2025
Corrected blog: Ontario Government Invests in Dementia Care
Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) congratulates the Ontario Government on its $9 million investment for Dementia Care in long-term care homes.
“This initiative could be a game changer and is an important step forward in building a stronger, more compassionate long-term care home system” notes Kathy Wright, Chair of CARP’s Advocacy Working Group on Long-Term Care. “As advocates for seniors and their families, we welcome this targeted investment in emotion-based care.” Read more:
Ontario Government Invests in Dementia Care
Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) congratulates the Ontario Government on its $9 million investment for Dementia Care in long-term care homes.
“This initiative could be a game changer and is an important step forward in building a stronger, more compassionate long-term care home system” notes Kathy Wright, Chair of CARP’s Advocacy Working Group on Long-Term Care. “As advocates for seniors and their families, we welcome this targeted investment in emotion-based care.” Read more:
Healthcare Excellence Canada – invitation to long-term care homes in Canada
Healthcare Excellence Canada (HEC) and CARP Ottawa share the vision to transform the way care is delivered in long-term care homes.
HEC invites long-term care homes across the country to join the Sparking Change in AUA (appropriate use of antipsychotics) Program. Registration closes October 1, 2025.
The program is open to all LTC homes interested in improving appropriate use of antipsychotics through person-centred care, with flexible participation and access to optional coaching, webinars, curated resources, and awards ranging from $2000 to $10,000.
Learn more about the Sparking Change Program here:
Invitation to an Open House: Richmond Care Home Sept 28th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Richmond Care Home, Stittsville, Ontario
While our blogs focus on LTC Homes and the innovation of “changing institutions to homes” happening in Canada and elsewhere, we wanted to let you know about a Retirement Home in Stittsville that has been designed around the needs of female residents with dementia rather than economies of scale. They too have embraced small, home-like environments within their Retirement Home in order to promote dignity, comfort, and independence. For 25 years it has provided families with a compassionate alternative to large-scale care, showing that intimacy, familiarity and respect can transform the experience of living with dementia. Come and see for yourself! To learn more, click here.
Miramichi Lodge – ‘Welcome to Our Home’
Mike Blackmore, Director of Long Term Care, Miramichi Lodge in Pembroke, provides an introduction in this short video clip (under 9 minutes) to the inspirational journey including the accreditation of the Lodge in implementing the Butterfly Approach to Care. Please take the time to watch it – click here:
Camp Generate at Sherbrooke Village LTC Home in Saskatoon
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Imagine sending your child to a summer day camp at Sherbrooke Village LTC Home in Saskatoon! Camp Generate is a unique summer camp for children 10-12 years of age. This camp gives kids the chance to develop confidence, leadership and caregiving skills by getting to know Sherbrooke residents and taking part in fun activities with them. These activities include creating a carnival, gardening, art projects, games, and every day a show and tell with residents.
Camp Generate is part of Sherbrooke’s commitment to intergenerational learning, which includes the Grade 6 iGen program. iGen is designed to provide close and continuing contact between Elders in long-term care and grade six students from across Saskatoon over the period of one school year.
To learn more about this exciting program and the wonderful outcomes that occur for both students and residents click here
Recording: St. Clair O’Connor Community: An Eden model in Toronto
For full recording click here
Recording: Temiskaming Lodge: Levelling the playing field for those living in the province’s north.
For full recording, click here
Stop “warehousing” seniors and build small homes for long-term care
Debra Boudreau, Administrator, Tideview Terrace Long-Term Care Home in Digby, Nova Scotia says, “It’s not OK to just keep warehousing people in traditional institutions.” Tideview Terrace, a not-for-profit home, has 10 small homes with nine residents in each. They provide care based on The Eden Alternative model. Nova Scotia became the first province in Canada to incorporate the small care home design. (www.tideviewterrace.ca)
In the recent National Institute on Ageing Report entitled “There is No Place Like Home,” co-author Dr Samir Sinha said, “It is not realistic for all seniors to remain in their homes, so the next best thing would be better quality long-term care in home-like settings.” Tideview Terrace is one long-term care home that fits the bill.
Read more here