Residential Client-centred Dementia Care

Through exceptional teamwork and a common understanding of “person-centered care,” routines are adapted to each person in a way that decreases their stress and anxiety. The drug use rate is the lowest in the region, as staff members consistently look for alternatives to pharmaceutical interventions (e.g., re-direction, music). Recreation staff create opportunities for normalized activities, rather than posting routine activity calendars. For example, residents rake leaves, fold towels, or do whatever provides them with comfort. Staff make residents part of normalized conversations. They also offer residents natural waking, adapted personal hygiene routines (e.g., if a resident wishes to shower in the middle of the night, care is provided), and they walk with residents who wish to have finger foods rather than sit in the dining room. The inter-disciplinary, collaborative team includes a physician and a pharmacist. The physician is the attending physician for all residents and has admitting privileges at the hospital, which ensures continuity of care. If residents require hospitalization, the team works to have them returned as soon as possible. Transition care plans are consistently developed. This approach to dementia care has transformed the lives of residents and their families. The patients are respected, comfortable, and they trust the staff. Families value the fact that they can bring in activities that their family member used to enjoy (e.g. woodworking) so that they can continue that activity together. Residents' facial expressions demonstrate calm and comfort in spite of their dementia.