Kate Taylor-Murphy, of Streamway Villa, was alone in her quest to spread supportive measures throughout her home three years ago when she took the behaviour management course. This time around, 12 employees from Streamway embraced the training sessions offered by Len Fabiano earlier this year and in December 2002.

“I’m finally getting the support that I have needed. I have the confidence (now).”

Kate attended a supportive measures session at home office Friday, along with other members of that community from OMNI’s 16 homes.

“I was amazed so many people know and are utilizing supportive measures techniques at all of the homes,” says Kate.

“It was great reviewing the projects.” The specialists gathered to examine supportive measures efforts in the other homes. Since the series of training sessions with Len wrapped up in February, employees compiled comprehensive resident profiles and employed various techniques to improve the quality of life for those who live in long-term care homes.

Staff used tools, like behaviour mapping, profiling a resident’s activity for 24 hours and medication tracking, along with other techniques that aren’t as well-known.

“Some of the tools they are using, I haven’t heard of before,” she says.

Kate adds the session created an opportunity to network with employees from other homes who are having successes with particular techniques.

Shawn Riel from home office, who led the session, gave each home a portion of supportive measures to develop intensely, such as medication mapping to Village Green and behaviour mapping to Woodland Villa. The intent is each home will contribute a portion towards the OMNI-wide supportive measures manual, which is being designed over the next six months.

Streamway is working on helping new employees understand dementia and improving in-house communication -- something assigned to all OMNI homes.