On September 10, 2024, the Person-Centred Language (PCL) Initiative reached a new milestone. Over 20,000 people have pledged to use respectful and inclusive language, including team members in long-term care, residents with lived experience, and other care providers.
Take a look at our 20,000 pledge celebration video to see what this milestone means to some of our PCL champions!
Reaching 20,000 pledges marks an important milestone for the PCL Initiative, which is co-led by the Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) Provincial Coordinating Office at the North Bay Regional Health Centre and the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research & Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA). Since its launch, the PCL Initiative has developed resources to inspire language choices that are respectful, life-affirming and inclusive when interacting with and referring to people who communicate via personal expressions associated with dementia, complex mental health, substance use and/or other neurological conditions, and their care partners. Thank you to everyone who reviewed the PCL Commitment Statements Posters, signed the PCL Pledge, and encouraged others to do the same.
If you have not taken the PCL pledge, it’s not too late! Fill out the PCL Pledge and download your certificate today.
If you have already taken the pledge, you may be wondering what you can do next to learn more about person-centred language and promote it within your organization. Take a look at some of our interactive options and resources below.
Complete the PCL e-course
The back-to-school season is the perfect time to complete the PCL eCourse . Available in English and French, this FREE eCourse demonstrates how PCL can have a positive impact on communication and care, and can help to reduce stigma and discrimination (45 minutes).
Explore PCL-friendly words
Check out the Word Swap Poster for ideas on how to incorporate PCL in your everyday conversations. You can download the poster for free, post it and share it with your community. The poster is also available in French.
Encourage the use and spread of PCL
Download a free PCL Commitment Statement Poster with statements and imagery to encourage the use and spread of person-centred language in your long-term care home.
Share your PCL success stories
Get in touch! Tell us how you’ve incorporated person-centred language in your organization by emailing us at provincialBSO@nbrhc.on.ca. We look forward to hearing from you!
Thank you for your commitment to the PCL Initiative!