Bill, not his real name, was having a hard time getting used to life at Village Green in Selby. He fell often, behaved aggressively and turned down meals. Because he was prone to falling, he was moved from a wheelchair into a Gerry chair, notes a supportive measures specialist at the home.

"When he came to us he was very aggressive with his care," says Jane Hughes, who is also the office manager and environmental services manager at Village Green.

"There were quite a number of behaviour problems," she adds.

In response, the director of care, known for holding brainstorming sessions, met with other employees at the home, including Jane and they developed a plan for Bill. He was put on a mild dosage of a psychotropic drug, which soon helped calm his aggression, says Jane.

However, employees also made modifications to some of his routines, particularly his personal care routine, which helped Bill settle in better.

"Once the behaviours calmed down, he got used to staff doing his care," notes Jane. She notes he got along with some employees better than with others.

Over the next few months Bill developed a comfort level with staff and became more accustomed to the care employees provide. He was weaned completely off the medication and is able to use a wheelchair now instead of a Gerry chair. He has fewer aggressive outbursts and eats on his own.

"His independence is as good as (it) can be right now," says Jane.

Supportive measures is a philosophy and approach to care that involves employing creative techniques to address resident agitation. It also decreases the reliance on psychotropic medication.