Supportive measures changing culture in long-term care
Friday December 7, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
The supportive measures training which has been ongoing at OMNI’s 16 homes is one more step in narrowing the gap between life in long-term care homes and life in any household in the community, says Debbie Harding, supportive measures specialist and clinical care co-ordinator at Woodland Villa in Long Sault.

Over the years there has been a shift in culture in the long-term care sector. Gone are the days of overly-structured long-term care homes where residents queued up for pills. When residents don’t like what’s on their dinner plate they’re now provided with something they enjoy eating. If residents aren’t tired, they’re not obligated to go to bed.

This culture change is reflected by the residents at the home, says Harding.

“This is a home that’s alive and when you come through the door, you’re pretty much bombarded with life because life happens here,” she says.

Understanding residents’ wishes and accommodating behaviours when they occur are at the centre of supportive measures. And sometimes these practices are very simple, says Harding.

“Any time you see someone who’s upset and a staff member goes out of their way to comfort that resident — even by doing the littlest thing — it’s a supportive measure,” she says.

“Giving someone a cup of coffee and five minutes of your time is probably one of the best supportive measures techniques there is,” she adds.

Each of OMNI’s 16 homes is set to have every staff member fully trained in supportive measures by Dec. 31. This is the first time OMNI has required each staff member to be trained in supportive measures.

The training began in early 2007 with staff members receiving education in four areas of supportive measures throughout the year — Alzheimer’s and difficult behaviours, the aging process, purpose-filled days and quality of life for residents.

To date, about 90 per cent of Woodland’s approximately 130 staff members have been trained on the first two modules. Training on the third and fourth modules will continue throughout December at the home.

Harding sees the training as making a big impact in the long run.

“I see there being fewer PRN (pro re nata, meaning “as needed”) medications given for behaviours; I see people taking the time to talk to a resident and actually hear what the issue is, rather than saying ‘Oh, she’s always like that in the evening, just give her (a) PRN.’”