
Essential Care Partner Resources

This one-page Word Swap Poster invites readers to consider swapping out common words in favour of person-centred language(PCL)-friendly words in everyday conversations.
The poster is available in French and English and contains a total of 15 examples under four categories: people, places, actions, and items.
We hope these examples can inspire you to reflect on the power of words when supporting people with, or at risk, of responsive behaviours/personal expressions. You can also explore more PCL resources to support your LTC homes’ inclusion journey.
The Reflections on the Use of Resident Support Aides report (RSA Report) presents findings from a recent survey on the use of resident support aides (RSA) and similar roles in LTC homes during the pandemic. The RSA report summarizes reflections and perspectives from leaders about the value and future of the RSA role.
The report provides:
Looking for more perspectives on front line care providers? Read the PSW Perspectives Report to explore PSWs perspectives and ideas for LTC homes.
The Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Tem Care (CLRI) would like to acknowledge and thank the members of the Ontario Health (Central) – RSA Working Group for their time, effort, and insights in developing the RSA survey and report:
Practical knowledge of person-centred language 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.
The rapid rise and severity of COVID-19 cases in long-term care (LTC) has led to the urgent redeployment of health professionals to LTC environments. The Ontario COVID-19 Education Task Force (powered by Michener Institute of Education at UHN), in partnership with the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) and the Baycrest Centre for Education, developed an LTC section on covidcarelearning.ca, an online learning management system to support upskilling for health-care workers being redeployed for COVID-19 care.
Please share this resource with incoming team members who are new to the LTC environment. These materials facilitate redeployment to a team-based model of care quickly and safely in LTC homes, and support team members to bridge their knowledge from current practice to the requirements to care for COVID-19 and other residents.
The Person-Centred Language toolkit and report has background information, useful suggestions, activities, reflection questions and other resources to increase the use and spread of person-centred language in your long-term care home.
Activities can be done individually, as a small or large group, across your organization, and during recruitment, orientation or education sessions.
Practical knowledge of person-centred language ensures the 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.
This toolkit is available in English (French version coming soon).
Download the Toolkit and Report
The Person-Centred Language initiative and resources have been co-developed by BSO and the Ontario CLRI with support from an expert panel