While 20 years ago people entering long-term care were in some cases heavily sedated and generally bored while they lived out their final days, efforts today by staff focus on alternatives to medication, where possible, and a commitment to meaningful activity.

Rehabilitation efforts are giving some residents a new lease on their life as they enter the final stages of their journey. While not everyone living in long-term care will experience miraculous recoveries, more people today are becoming healthier physically and enjoying increased mental well-being.

Consider the following examples:

Carolyn Russell says she feels better now than she did when she was diagnosed with diabetes more than 25 years ago. The Woodland Villa resident has overcome many health problems, and tells the OMNIway her blood sugar level is lower than it has been in years. She attributes this success to help from staff at the Long Sault long-term care home. "I was a very sick girl when I came here," says the 63-year-old. "It was my idea to come in and get help. I wasn’t forced to come in, and I’m not sorry that I did because they have really helped me." Russell, who required dialysis, says although she was feeling down, she received a lot of support from people at Woodland. Russell was careful to watch what she ate to keep her diabetes under control. She lost 45 pounds, and says losing the weight helps her diabetes. She is also now off dialysis.

At Maplewood in Brighton, resident Barbara Robertson, who led a full and active life, had trouble adjusting to long-term care. “She didn’t want to be here,” says a staff member. Staff and managers pitched in to help Robertson keep active, with a resulting change in disposition. Among other efforts to keep her busy, the office manager recruits Robertson to help stuff envelopes once a month. Robertson says she enjoys the extra activity. “It’s something that somebody has to do,” she says. “I’m not much use on my feet but everything else works pretty well.”

Finally, a man who became a resident of Village Green in Selby in late 2006, progressed from being non-verbal to gaining back his speech. During the four months he lived at Village Green, his wellness goal was to gain some of his speech back following his stroke. Staff used picture and cue cards to help the man with his speech. After they had success with some words, they encouraged John to use them in a sentence. When John did his physiotherapy, the staff sang the alphabet with him. At the time of his discharge, he was speaking in full sentences.

As the baby-boomers age and move into long-term care, they will no doubt present a host of new challenges for health care workers. Perhaps when this generation witnesses first-hand what long-term care is all about, perceptions will begin to change more swiftly.