Preferred launches program to maximize residents' abilities

Personal support workers learn restorative care techniques

Friday November 28, 2008 -- Camille Jensen
BRAMPTON, Ont. - Educators from Preferred Health Care Services were at Leisureworld Caregiving Centre Brampton Woods, Nov. 27, to celebrate an inaugural program that fosters residents’ independence.

The new restorative-care program expands the philosophy of restorative care in the Brampton long-term care home by training personal support workers (PSWs) on techniques and tools they can use to support residents in retaining and improving their physical capabilities

Developed by Preferred staff educators, Beverly Zangari and Jeena Oommen, the weeklong training program teaches PSWs to look for ways they can help maintain independence for residents, such as encouraging them to dress themselves, or brush their own hair.

“It’s really about maintaining the resident at their maximum ability,” explains Oommen, who says the program will help residents stay independent longer when they enter long-term care, as well as provide ongoing support to the home’s restorative-care program.

“This (program) will give (residents) a higher quality of life, as well as self-esteem,” says Zangari. “It is about providing the appropriate level of assistance and not just doing everything for (the resident) because they are in long-term care.”

She says the program has been embraced by the PSWs who are eager to go back to their units and use the new skills.

Nine PSWs were presented with certificates for completing the course, which included case studies and best practice guidelines.

Inez Allen is one of the graduates from the course and says she expects residents will be inspired by the new practice.

“Through support, encouragement and some cueing, it will help them a lot,” she says. “It will help them gain more dignity and respect.”

The initiative takes more time but staff members should find their position more interesting as they find new ways to work with residents, according to Novelette Murphy.

“The more (residents) can do for themselves, the less stress we are under and we can all enjoy the floor — both workers and residents,” says Murphy, a PSW.

PSW Consuelo Malayao says the new approach is a morale booster for staff members, who can work with the restorative care co-ordinator and restorative care aide in helping residents achieve their goals.

She says throughout the day PSWs can observe residents and then speak with the restorative care co-ordinator on ways they might be able to improve the resident’s functioning abilities.

The move to adopt a philosophy of care throughout the home is welcomed by Kristina Kadar, the home’s restorative care co-ordinator, who says they currently only have one restorative care aide working at Brampton Woods.

She says they expect to see an impact in the four program areas of dining, activities of daily living, exercise and mobility.

While the PSWs will be taking a more proactive approach, the two Preferred educators stress the new role does not go beyond their scope of practice. They also add that residents who do not wish to do things for themselves, will always be offered assistance.

The new program is available to all Leisureworld homes with Zangari adding they hope the practice becomes a standard for Leisureworld.

"We want this to eventually be a philosophy of Leisureworld, in doing that the quality of life for residents is higher."

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