Joy Cardinal Flores and her Approach to Person-Centred Language and Care
By 2031, there are expected to be one million Canadians living with dementia. Despite the growing number of people living with dementia in Canada, mobilizing support against the stigmas associated with dementia has been challenging. The Person-Centred Language (PCL) Initiative is looking to change that. And so are thousands of people across the country.
To date, thousands of people have taken the PCL Pledge and have committed to changing the way we interact with and refer to people living with dementia and other complex mental health conditions.
About the Award
On October 23, 2023, the Ontario Centres for Learning Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (Ontario CLRI) at the RIA, together with Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO), awarded our first-ever Person-Centred Language Award.
With support from the Ontario Long-Term Care Association (OLTCA), this Award was created to recognize the extraordinary efforts of champions who are dedicated to creating supportive and life-affirming environments for residents, family care partners, and team members.
About Joy
Joy Cardinal Flores, a programs therapist at the O’Neill Centre in Toronto, believes that person-centred care has allowed her to build trusting relationships with residents and this has significantly changed how she views her work.
Joy’s dedication and passion for person-centred language and care shines brightly in her everyday actions. Residents at the O’Neill Centre don’t see Joy as a staff member; they see her as family and her unique bond with residents encapsulates the very essence of PCL.
From a Family Member
“Joy has a wonderful, kind, and empathetic heart, not only when dealing with my dad, but all the other residents she works with. Joy brings a smile to their faces and it’s beautiful to see how she interacts with them. Her name says it all.”
Join the Movement
Thank you, Joy for your unwavering commitment to your work, residents, and community. Thank you for being an example for all of us.
The person-centred language initiative is a united effort that is fueled by people you. Take the pledge today and download your certificate here!
You can also join the conversation online with the hashtag #WordsMatterPCL
