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
Recording: Re-Designing Long-Term Care for a day well lived
Providence Living at the Views opened their doors in July 2024 in Comox, B.C. Since then, they have welcomed 156 residents who live in 13 households. Providence Living is a public, non-profit LTC based on the Hogeweyk villages model of care. It sits on 13 acres and includes supportive housing, assisted living, primary care and retail spaces. Participants learned that this is an efficient model of care, staff enjoy working there, and residents have a day well lived.
For full recording, click here
Hurrah for Elliott Community!
Image by the Elliott Community
As reported in GuelphToday in June, the ‘Elliott Community becomes the first accredited Butterfly Home in Guelph’. This represents ‘a significant milestone in the organization’s journey toward delivering truly person-centred and emotion-focused care’. Click here to read
Wise Leadership is the key to meaningful, lasting change!
Sherbrooke Village in Saskatoon
In 2023, The Eden Alternative published a “White Paper” entitled: “What is the return on investment for implementing the Eden Alternative Approach to person-directed care”.
The findings:
Nursing Turnover
Registered Nurse turnover was 5.9% lower and total nursing staff turnover was 5.2% lower for Eden Alternative member homes.
Staffing Data
An additional 2.6 hours/day of resident care is provided relative to non Eden Alternative homes. This means that there are higher employee-resident ratios providing more person-directed care.
Complaints
Lower complaints with 1.63 average complaints as compared to 6.0 complaints per non-member home.
Occupancy and Satisfaction
Occupancy rates 85% versus 75% in non Eden Alternative homes. RN turnover 42% versus 50.5%; staff turnover 42.7% versus 54.1% demonstrating higher staff satisfaction.
Conclusion
This White paper demonstrates relationship-based care models foster a supportive work environment where employees feel valued, leading to increased job satisfaction and lower staff turnover.
To read the full Paper click here.
Celebrating Canada’s Long-term Care Day June 13th, 2025
A Green House Dining Room (copied with permission)
Canada is fortunate to have so many professionals and support staff choosing to work in the long-term care field. The significance of this day marks recognition for the dedication of individuals within the long-term care community, including volunteers, staff and families who provide essential support and care to thousands of people living in long-term care homes throughout Canada.
Learn more about how you can contribute to changing long-term care from ‘institutions’ to ‘homes’. Visit our website and become a follower at www.changeltcnow.ca or other websites such as Family Councils Ontario (Family Councils Ontario), Canadian Association for Long Term Care (Home – Canadian Association for Long Term Care (CALTC)), AdvantAGE Ontario AdvantAge Ontario | Home) and the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA).
Recording: William Osler Health System: First Acute-Care Hospital Worldwide to Implement the Butterfly Approach to Dementia Care
Until 2023, the Butterfly Approach had only been adopted in long-term care homes. Dr. Nadkarni shared Osler’s journey towards implementing the Butterfly Approach – a significant effort that involved not only a change to the model of care at Osler but also involved modifications to the physical space on the ACE Unit at the Brampton Civic Hospital.
For full recording, click here
Hurrah for Bankwood at the Glebe Centre in Ottawa!
In April 2025 Bankwood at the Glebe Centre received its third successful accreditation from Meaningful Care Matters. As noted in the Centre’s recent Family and Friends newsletter, the approach is centered on “delivering emotion-based focused care that connects with people in a dignified human way. It addresses the holistic needs of individuals and supports quality of life for each person living with dementia across the whole of lived experience.” Kudos to Glebe Centre and their Bankwood Care Team!
“Speak Up for Quality Long Term Care”
Sherbrooke Village in Saskatoon where the Eden Alternative was implemented
Time is running out to influence the results of the upcoming election. We are long overdue for significant reform in Ontario’s long-term care home system. If you have a chance, consider possible messages that Concerned Friends have recommended as questions to pose to the candidates running for election. Click here Dear Concerned Friend(to learn more)
‘Your voice can make a difference to wellness in Long Term Care!’
Thank you to RTOERO District 16 Toronto for promoting the need to change long term care homes in Ontario from ‘institutions to homes’. In the RTOERO District 16 Spring 2025 Newsletter, Carol Dueck’s insightful article points out that – “Retired Teachers of Ontario: Your voice can make a difference to wellness in Long Term Care”. Carol is a member of CARP’s Advocacy Working Group on Long-term Care, and Chair of Advocacy Family Council Network Four.
The article captures the challenges that the long-term care system in Ontario faces, and brings encouragement as there has been very positive results in the few homes where the implementation of an innovative approach to care has happened. Retired teachers can play an instrumental role in influencing changes in social policy by adding their collective and vibrant voice to ‘get the job done’.
Click here to read the article: Your Voice Can Make a Difference to Wellness in Long Term Care
“Putting Dignity at the Centre of Long-term Care”
On Tuesday, March 18th, 2025, on CBC radio, The Current with Matt Galloway had a feature on “Putting Dignity at the Centre of Long-term Care”.
The broadcast includes interviews with a resident at Glebe Centre in Ottawa, Ontario and the resident’s daughter. Listen to this inspiring account of the importance of finding a residence that truly feels like home. Click here to listen to this broadcast (24 minutes).