Successful community partnerships require openness: Hobbs
Thursday, October 20, 2005 -- Natalie Miller
Building successful partnerships in the community requires flexibility and openness, says Nelly Hobbs, administrator of Rosebridge Manor.

Rosebridge has had a long-time relationship with the Brockville Psychiatric Hospital, as well as the local Alzheimer society and some area service providers. Maintaining those relationships involve making time for people when they come into the home and including them as part of the team.

“They’re part of the home,” she says.

“They’re not just a service.”

About 75 per cent of Rosebridge residents have been involved in assessments through the psychogeriatric unit of Brockville Psychiatric Hospital. About 12 years ago, the long-term care home contacted the Brockville Psychiatric Hospital for help working with residents. They've been in partnership ever since and Rosebridge has developed a specialty for caring for residents with high behavioural issues.

Once a week a psychogeriatric nurse sees residents and once a month they are seen by a psychogeriatrician. Nelly says the support team at Brockville is only a phone call away should they have an immediate question or concern. The administrator says it’s important to access the resources offered by the community partner but to not abuse the support.

Building a trust relationship is key with community partners, Nelly says. So is flexibility. For instance, consulting psychiatrists make recommendations for bloodwork or medications but they are governed by the Mental Health Act and not the Nursing Home Act. Rosebridge modified its procedures through its professional advisory committee so it can implement the psychiatrists’ requests as orders. “Being flexible how to work with outside agencies is a good thing.”

Nelly says it’s important to support their ventures as well, noting OMNI sponsored a training program at the hospital.

Rosebridge Manor also maintains a good relationship with the Alzheimer Society of Leeds Grenville, which has given the Jasper long-term care home funding for a music program in the past.