Supportive measures
to improve quality of life for residents, says LEC
by Roderick Benns
LONG SAULT Mary* declines to participate in most programs these days. She cries more, too, seemingly confused about the people and things around her.

Mary suffers from depression and Alzheimer's Disease, saya Rita Tremblay, Woodland Villa's life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC). Within Mary's daily routine, there is an opportunity to improve quality of life, by mapping out behaviours, says Rita.

Rita just came back from attending an all-day training session with Len Fabiano two days ago. "It was so instructive, so informative," notes Rita. "If there is any way we can change behaviours to upgrade a resident's quality of life, then we need to be educated how best to accomplish this."

Rita is teamed up with Debbie Smith, dietary aide, and Bonnie Lauzon, restorative care aide, to develop a strategy for a resident who could benefit from supportive measures. They have chosen Mary, setting up her care plan and mapping her behaviours.

"We need to watch her and learn about those peak times," says Rita. "We have to minimize the crying and confusion as best we can. One thing we have learned, for instance, is that this woman had a broken shoulder before which may not have healed properly. Finding the right medication to control any physical distress will be important, but we don't want her to rely on too much medication, either."

The goal will be to get the woman's pain under control and then to get her participating in activities. The care plan is dynamic and will be monitored for changes in the coming month before the third and final day of Fabiano's presentation in late February.