Community partnerships expand services, educate staff: Hobbs
Wednesday, December 8, 2004 - Natalie Miller
By partnering with community agencies, long-term care homes can broaden the services they provide to residents and their families, says an administrator.

Nelly Hobbs

Nelly Hobbs of Rosebridge Manor in Jasper says the home has connected with the Alzheimer Society of Leeds-Grenville, resulting in a number of benefits. Rosebridge is able to better inform families about Alzheimer disease through literature the group has provided. Information is tucked into admission packages and also distributed generally to families, says Nelly.

For the past two years, Rosebridge has been the recipient of $1,500 from the Alzheimer Society to provide a music therapy program for residents. In turn, Rosebridge participates in Alzheimer Coffee Break, an annual fundraiser for the society.

Rosebridge also works closely with the Brockville Psychiatric Hospital's psychogeriatric team and Karen Bajinski, director of care (DOC), is part of a group leading a stroke initiative in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark. Community partnerships work for many reasons, says Nelly.

"First of all, it certainly gives us more visibility and educates the public about what we're trying to do."

"It provides extra expertise for staff, opportunities for education for staff and it supports what we have in place," says Nelly. "It expands the service we can provide to the residents."

Karen is involved in a new initiative with the Access Centre for Community Care in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark. The DOC began meeting this year with her colleagues from neighbouring long-term care homes in an effort driven by the access centre.

The meeting, held quarterly, provides an opportunity to review policies in long-term care and brainstorm solutions to common challenges, says Karen.

"It helps us identify and problem-solve any issues that arise," says Karen.

For example, in October, the group discussed policies dealing with inappropriate behaviours. She says the meeting too provides the access centre with input from the field. "It also gives the access centre the opportunity to get feedback from us about how prepared the residents are when they come into our homes."