Supportive measures are the extras that improve quality of life: Hobbs
Tuesday, March 22, 2005 Natalie Miller
After noticing the resident’s unruly moustache and beard was covering his mouth, the health care aide decided to take matters into her own hands.

Nelly Hobbs

The man recently moved to Rosebridge Manor and had yet to meet with the home’s beautician, who typically tends to residents’ grooming needs. Gail Dawson consulted with the resident and he agreed to a trim. The two shared a laugh while Gail took on the role of barber for the first time.

“He was a brave fellow,” says Gail

“He needed it done and it would make him feel and look better. Making people feel better “is part of what we do,” she adds.

This initiative is one of many recognized by managers and peers at the Jasper long-term care home throughout this month. Rosebridge designated March to supportive measures to “rekindle” the interest in the approach to care. Supportive measures is an umbrella term used to describe OMNI’s individualized way of supporting residents. Supportive measures can be the little things staff members do to improve quality of life – like trimming a resident’s moustache or setting aside a task to have a conversation.

Administrator Nelly Hobbs says other examples include a staff member who poured a bubble bath for a resident when it wasn’t a designated bath day or the staff member who joined residents in a card game when it wasn’t a scheduled activity.

“It’s taking time to do (something) extra for a resident,” says Nelly.

“I think for the most part, most of our staff are familiar with supportive measures. Supportive measures are quite a big component of our orientation.”

For a number of years, OMNI has educated employees about the care approach. Nelly says while she believes supportive measures are still an important part of OMNI, the emphasis has shifted lately towards meeting new government standards and legislative changes. “You hardly have time to come up for air,” she says.

“There’s no loss of interest in supportive measures. It’s rekindling the interest in what the program does.”

Aside from staff recognition, Rosebridge held an employee luncheon and is hosting a community event Wednesday, March 30. The afternoon will draw together family members, a representative from the local Alzheimer society and home office’s Shawn Riel, who took the lead in introducing supportive measures OMNI-wide.