Posted on June 2, 2021 by AJ Adams -
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:
- Data on types of responsibilities assigned to RSAs at different LTC homes
- Data on types of education or training that RSAs would have benefited from
- Quotes and reflections from LTC leaders about their use of the RSA role
Download RSA Report
Looking for more perspectives on front line care providers? Read the PSW Perspectives Report to explore PSWs perspectives and ideas for LTC homes.
Acknowledgments:
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:
- Jill Knowlton – Jarlette Health Services
- Kim Utley – SE Health
- Dee Lender – Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils
- Julia Scott – Markham Stouffville Hospital
- Melissa Mei and Megan Suddergaard – Ontario Health
- Shilpi Majumder and Audra Thompson-Haile – Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation (CLRI) at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging
Posted on April 6, 2021 by Noel Gruber -
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About the Initiative | Learn About the National Standard | Plan to Implement the Standard
Conduct an Assessment | Additional Resources | Advisory Group Members
Workplace Mental Health in LTC for Early Adopters: Leadership Training and Support Program
The call for Expressions of Interest for the second round of the Early Adopters Program Opens soon!
The Ontario CLRI at the RIA invites leaders in long-term care to take your workplace mental health strategy to the next level. Learn how to build an organizational culture that promotes and protects the mental health of all team members, and improves workforce productivity, recruitment and retention.
Go to the Call for Expressions of Interest
About the Initiative
This Workplace Mental Health in LTC initiative supports long-term care (LTC) homes across Ontario to 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.
Working in LTC is psychologically demanding. Frontline workers experience physical and emotional stress, time pressures, bullying, violence, racism, and a workplace culture that often devalues the role of care providers. According to the Ontario government’s Long-Term Care Staffing Study (July 2020), team members in LTC are “feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, and unrecognized.” These conditions contribute to high rates of injury, disability, absenteeism, staff turnover and recruitment challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has only magnified these issues and highlighted the need for change in Ontario’s long-term care system. Emerging research shows that workers are experiencing rising levels of depression, anxiety, grief and post-traumatic stress.
The Ontario CLRI is collaborating with mental health experts, occupational health and safety service providers, unions, researchers, educators, provincial associations and other stakeholders to co-design an effective and sustainable support system for LTC homes. The Psychological Health and Safety in Long-Term Care initiative will promote evidence-based resources, offer training programs tailored for the LTC sector, and cultivate a network of psychological health and safety champions. By creating a workplace culture that promotes and protects mental health, leaders in LTC can build and retain a resilient workforce that is well equipped to provide quality care for residents and support for families.
A Psychological Health and Safety in Long-Term Care Advisory Committee (see below) and other experts contribute to the work of this initiative.
Posted on February 24, 2020 by AJ Adams -
The following resource was not created by the Ontario CLRI and was identified by the Ontario Caring Advisory Circle as an important resource to support Indigenous Culture in LTC.
This guide was developed by Healthy Weights Connection (Western University) and London’s Child and Youth Network in response to overwhelming interest expressed by service providers in London and Middlesex County to learn more about First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) cultures and local communities. It has been adapted from a similar cultural awareness resource developed by the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC).
The content of this guide was informed by members of the local FNMI community in London and Middlesex through several engagement sessions. The purpose of the guide is to serve as a first step towards cultural competence and to help service providers learn more about FNMI history, the local cultures and how to work competently and sensitively with FNMI communities. For those interested in formal training, Indigenous Cultural Competency and Cultural Safety training are recommended.
Download the Indigenous Culture Card
Posted on January 6, 2020 by AJ Adams -
Posted on December 4, 2019 by Holly Hebner -
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
Acknowledgments
The Person-Centred Language initiative and resources have been co-developed by BSO and the Ontario CLRI with support from an expert panel
Posted on February 20, 2018 by AJ Adams -
eConsult is a secure web-based tool that allows physicians and nurse practitioners timely access to specialist advice for all patients and often eliminates the need for an in-person specialist visit. The Ontario CLRI is collaborating with the Ontario eConsult Program team to support the integration of its services into long-term care homes across Ontario.
The Ontario eConsult Program is led by the Ontario eConsult Centre of Excellence (eConsult COE), housed at The Ottawa Hospital in partnership with the Bruyère Research Institute. Delivery partners are the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN), OntarioMD, and eHealth Ontario, with the support of the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care.
Posted on January 31, 2018 by Tammy Cumming -
About the Report
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are recognized as an emerging health issue in Indigenous communities. Indigenous elders are considered to be among Canada’s most vulnerable citizens because they often face complex health issues stemming from socio-economic marginalization and a legacy of colonialism in addition to barriers in accessing health care. They have higher rates of many of the risk factors for dementia. As a result, the rates of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs) are expected to increase more rapidly among Indigenous elders compared to non-Indigenous older adults. Despite this recognition, relatively little is known about ADRDs among Indigenous peoples in Canada.
This paper summarizes what is known about the prevalence of ADRDs, the challenges associated with diagnosing dementias, and the risk factors associated with the development of dementias in Indigenous populations. The paper highlights several knowledge gaps with respect to the prevalence of various forms of dementia among different groups of Indigenous peoples, as well as differences in the way dementias present in Indigenous communities. The paper concludes by highlighting the need for integrated multi-sectoral approaches to address socio-economic equities and health disparities as preventative measures for ADRDs.
Copyright: 2018 National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (NCCAH). This publication was funded by the NCCAH and made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Posted on May 12, 2017 by Emily Kuurstra -
Oral Health Care at Saint-Louis Residence
Oral health of residents should be a priority. The Ontario CLRI partnered with La Cité Collégiale in an effort to increase access to oral care resources for long-term care (LTC) homes.
Many LTC residents find it difficult to access a traditional dental office due to transportation, physical, and financial limitations. In an effort to improve access to oral care in LTC homes, the Ontario CLRI piloted a partnership with a local college’s dental hygiene program to develop a placement program, resources, and tools. The partnership sparked the creation of both an animated video outlining why oral care is important and a publication describing the partnership model, as well as the translation of the Oral Health Assessment Tool.
Background
There is growing awareness around the importance of oral care for overall health. LTC residents are particularly vulnerable to several risk factors for poor oral health that can lead to oral bacterial disease, bad breath, mouth sores, and pneumonia. Establishing partnerships with the dental hygiene community can bring oral health expertise on-site.
Links
Mouth Matters Video – An animated video that presents to staff and caregivers why oral care is important.
Oral Health Assessment Tool Translation – The purpose of this initiative was to produce a French translation of the OHAT that is acceptable to users — nurses and dental hygienists — and is conceptually and metrically equivalent to the English version originally developed.
Oral Health Partnership Brochure – This brochure describes a partnership between Ottawa’s Saint-Louis Residence (SLR) LTC home and the dental hygiene program at La Cité Collégiale. For a copy of the full report, please contact info@clri-ltc.ca
Supported by:
Posted on March 31, 2017 by Tammy Cumming -
Description
The Ontario CLRI gathered evidence and experiences from across the province in this needs assessment to help understand the supports and resources needed to address the diversity of residents living in long-term care homes. It was guided by an advisory committee and reflects consultations with multiple stakeholders, a literature review and shared learnings from LTC homes across Ontario. The results of this needs assessment served as support for the Ontario CLRI to formalize an advisory committee and work plan to identify and develop resources to support LTC homes in addressing and welcoming diversity.
