This is a compilation of resources to support LTC leadership as they rebuild team member wellness/morale and resident quality of life. The page also contains tools to deal with ongoing challenges from COVID-19. Materials linked here include Ontario CLRI resources and points to select external resources to support LTC homes.
Use the following links to skip down to specific sections:
Orientation and Training
Communication at End-of-Life
Mental Health and Well-Being
Supporting and Engaging Families
Person-Centred Care
Operations Tools for COVID Outbreaks
New resources will be updated on this page as they become available. Please also check out our upcoming events and our eLearning Hub for virtual offerings relevant to COVID-19 in LTC.
Long-Term Care Orientation
Effective orientation boosts retention in LTC teams. It is important for new and existing team members and volunteers to understand the culture, values, and expectations in LTC homes. These orientation resources can help LTC homes to get new hires ready to work in a variety of roles and familiarize them with the expectations and culture of person-centred care.
LTC Orientation Page
Free online training resources to help orient new and redeployed resident support aides and other roles to the LTC culture and give them the basic skills to support residents. These materials can also be used for volunteers and families who are supporting residents with care during visits.
OurLTC App
This on-the-job reference app allows new PSWs, nurses, resident support aides and students in LTC to use their phones to access quick guides, short videos, and other resources specific to LTC. Can be used for orientation or as a refresher for the entire team in any LTC topic or standard of care. Now available!
Infection Prevention and Control in LTC
The IPAC courses and videos listed here give general instruction about hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as practice applying this knowledge to LTC-specific tasks and situations. These learning resources are based on current best practices and will support your new LTC role but it does not replace the infection control information provided to you by your LTC home.
Virtual Peer Support for Social Workers
This community of practice is for social workers and social service workers in LTC in Ontario. The group comes together virtually on a monthly basis to connect with peers, share resources and discuss challenges they are experiencing. Topics have ranged from strategies to support resident quality of life, supporting families, to ethical dilemmas and team dynamics. Co-hosted with Family Councils Ontario.
Visit our LTC orientation page to learn more.
Communication at End-of-Life
The CEoL Education Fund aims to improve the quality of care residents and families receive by creating an environment of culture change that supports the continual enhancement of palliative care in LTC homes. These resources can be used by LTC homes, individual team members, and those new to the sector.
All-In Palliative Care: The Team Approach to LTC
For homes that want to build their team’s competencies and capacity in interprofessional palliative care. A free 8-hour virtual training program to help your team build confidence in communicating about and strengthening resident-centred palliative care. Applications are now open.
eLearning Series
This series is designed to refresh or develop team members’ communication skills to give quality end-of-life and palliative care. Includes three self-paced, 20-minute courses. Self-directed, available from any device. Perfect for those new to the sector or as a refresher
Palliative Care Resource Libraries
These libraries are currently being piloted in LTC homes as part of the Collaborative Project to Sustain a Palliative Approach to Care in Long-Term, which supports the integration and/or strengthening of a palliative approach in LTC homes for the benefit of residents, families and team members.
Visit the Communication at End-of-Life Education Fund page to explore all our palliative care and end-of-life care resources
Psychological Health & Safety in LTC
Learn how your LTC home can adopt the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. The Standard was published in 2013 and defines a systematic approach to creating and sustaining a psychologically safe and healthy work environment
Honouring Grief and Increasing Resiliency: Webinar Recording and Workbook
This recording and workbook will show leaders and team members how to strengthen self-awareness and self-kindness and build compassionate and resilient teams when working with individuals experiencing chronic illness, death and dying.
ECHO Care of the Elderly for LTC: COVID-19
Project ECHO Care of the Elderly is a telehealth, case-based learning program to enhance the quality of care to residents by improving the knowledge and skills of their primary care providers. These 20-minute educational recordings cover topics relevant to LTC homes during COVID-19, such as Burnout and Engaging/Integrating Redeployed Staff and are followed by Q & A from the live sessions.
Visit our mental health resources page to learn about other resources for LTC team members
Person-Centred Language
Resources and eLearning to provide practical knowledge of person-centred language, which ensures that appropriate, respectful, life-affirming and inclusive language is used when talking with and referring to people who communicate via responsive behaviours/personal expressions associated with dementia, complex mental health, substance use and/or other neurological conditions, and their care partners.
Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit
This interactive resource, with print and online components, provides LTC homes with practical steps to nurture inclusive and welcoming communities. This initiative recognizes that care experiences can be influenced by individual circumstances, including language, ability, race, ethnicity, religion, spirituality, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation and socio-economic status.
Working Together to Put LIVING First: A Guidebook to Change the Culture of Aging in LTC
This guidebook from Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging shares inspiration and practical strategies to support organizations interested in starting or continuing to change the culture of LTC and retirement living. Find inspiration, insights and practical strategies that can be tailored to support your organization as you begin (or continue) your unique journey to create a better future within LTC.
Supporting and Engaging Families
Family members and other care partners play an essential role in supporting resident care and well-being. These resources from the Ontario CLRI and other partner organizations can support homes in integrating families as partners in care during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Family Huddle Tool eCourse
This eLearning module will introduce families and LTC homes to the Huddle Tool, a set of five simple questions that families can use to effectively and efficiently share any experience, situation, or need with you over the telephone, especially when you can’t meet in person.
Family Values Game Toolkit
Family Values is a serious educational game that LTC team members and leaders can use to increase the understanding and perceived value of the inclusion of families in resident care planning.
Partners in Care Toolkit
The Partners in Care Toolkit, by the Ontario Caregivers Organization and Change Foundation, provides resources for LTC homes that can be downloaded and tailored, including caregiver ID badges and stickers, and a one-page overview of what family caregivers can expect when they arrive in LTC
Visit our families page to learn about other resources to support families
A Tool to Update LTC Operational Plans Reflecting COVID-19
This tool will support discussions between senior leadership and the leadership team to enable reflection on the COVID-19 pandemic and to inform the development of a plan to move forward. The tool can also facilitate discussions within LTC teams and with other key stakeholders to inform planning decisions.
ECHO Care of the Elderly for LTC: COVID-19
These 20-minute educational recordings give guidance for pressing needs during a COVID-19 outbreak. Topics include Busting Infection Control Myths about COVID-19 in LTC, Ethical Guidance for Long-Term Care During a Pandemic, and the Isolation of Residents with Dementia. Sessions include recorded Q & A from the live audience that will prove helpful to leaders in LTC.
Dementia Social Isolation Toolkit
The Dementia Isolation Toolkit (DIT) gives guidance and tools to support best practices in the isolation care of people living with dementia in LTC. The toolkit was created by the DIT team at University Health Network and is available to students, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.