From institutions to Homes
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 (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:
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.
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:
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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
For full recording click here
For full recording, click here
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
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
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
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.
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).