Increased supportive measures limit behaviours at Riverview
Individual approaches and creative programming get results
Wednesday April 30, 2008 -- Camille Jensen
The supportive measures staff at Riverview Manor are tailoring a new approach to help residents who have behaviour problems and say the new program is getting results.

Sherry Baldwin, life enrichment co-ordinator, says the home has increased their supportive measures staffing at night and is focusing on new, shorter programming throughout the day.

Staff are also encouraged to experiment with new creative programming ideas to find what works best.

Introducing daily walks and a variety of short but frequent activities throughout the day are some of the practices they’ve found to have a positive impact. Having a focus on supportive measures and working with each individual resident, Baldwin says the staff are making a difference for residents.

“These creative 15-minute programs are wonderful,” says Baldwin who says simple things are adding up to big successes.

Cheryl Skelcher, a personal support worker in supportive measures says staff are also learning to find the root cause of a problem by spending extra time with residents and not resorting to an easy fix.

“The more you take time to get to know each resident, the more you discover and the easier it becomes to deal with behaviours,” says Skelcher.

She says the home was recently able to help a resident who became hysterical if left alone. By examining the environment and outside factors, Skelcher says the team decided to move the resident to a quieter environment in a different wing.

Since moving, the resident’s behaviour has completely changed, says Skelcher.

For another resident, staff have learned that when she is upset placing her in front of the piano, which she loves to play, will transform her behaviour.

“People usually behave in some way because there is a reason,” says Skelcher.

Since adopting the new program they’ve also created a list of solutions that work best in certain situations.

The next step for the Peterborough long-term care home is to design a creative room that will give residents a place to get away.

The room is another tailored solution for the home, which has a high number of male residents who would appreciate a place to do some of their favourite activities. Baldwin says they are planning on decorating the room with fishing rods and wooden golf clubs to help stimulate memories.

While still in the early planning stages, the creative room will be available for all residents who would like a place to visit, watch movies or play cards.

Do you have a story you would like to share about innovative ideas in resident care? If so, please contact camille(at)axiomnews.ca.

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