Supportive measures means everything to trainer
Tuesday December 11, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
For Eunice Howe, the term “supportive measures” takes on a personal meaning.

Howe, a supportive measures trainer at Frost Manor in Lindsay, says the idea behind supportive measures really hit home when her mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, was terminally ill.

“One of the things she said to me was ‘Continue on with your supportive (measures). There’s a great need for it.’ She told me to make sure I stayed focused on that,” says Howe.

And it was because of her mother, who was living at home at the time, that Howe jumped at the chance to become so immersed in supportive measures training.

“I lived supportive measures — that’s one reason I really wanted to take it, because I wanted to know as much as I could, not only to help the residents I work with, but also my mother.”

Each of OMNI’s 16 long-term care homes is set to have every staff member fully trained in supportive measures by Dec. 31.

Supportive measures 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.

So far, Frost Manor has almost completed its supportive measures training. Staff members are currently wrapping up the last module of the four-part program and training is expected to be finished by Christmas, says Howe.

But supportive measures won’t end when training is complete. Howe plans to make a big push for staff members to utilize what they’ve learned come the new year. Although she won’t disclose her ideas, Howe plans to provide incentives throughout 2008 to staff members who demonstrate supportive measures on the job.

“Supportive measures is here to stay and we’re always going to have residents who need our help to compensate for what they’ve lost,” says Howe. “This is just a way of acknowledging (staff members).”

Everyone who knows Howe understands her dedication to supportive measures. Frost Manor recently had a Christmas bazaar and Howe spent two weeks doing all the baking for her table to benefit supportive measures. Because of poor weather, only about 15 people turned up. Nonetheless, Howe's table netted $250.

Howe is also organizing a 50/50 draw in the new year with all proceeds going towards helping supportive measures at the home.

“Staff will ask me, ‘What’s it going towards?’ and as soon as I tell them it’s going towards enhancing the quality of life for the residents and their home here through supportive measures” they’ll want to buy tickets, she says.