Sunnyside adopting new holistic approach to dementia care

KITCHENER — Sunnyside Home is adopting a new approach to make the Kitchener long-term care facility feel more like a home, and staff like family, for its residents with dementia.

The Waterloo Region-operated home is on its way to becoming the first long-term care in the region to be certified in the “butterfly approach” with the U.K.-based consultant Meaningful Care Matters.

“It places an emphasis around emotional well-being,” said Sunnyside administrator Julie

Wheeler.

That means finding ways to engage residents by tapping into their interests and abilities.

Sunnyside has been working for a few years to improve care by moving away from a medical model. The butterfly approach will take that to the next level to ensure residents have a full life.

“Living a life where you’re lonely and bored is quite simply not living,” Wheeler said.

Sunnyside already has seen the benefits of creating a more cheerful environment with colourful paint and by bringing in dolls and mechanical pets.

Wheeler was skeptical those would make a difference, but then she saw how they could calm residents who were agitated or sad.

“We really see a change,” she said. “These are the moments we are going for.”

And it’s a good shift for staff too. A recent survey revealed they wanted more time to engage with residents. The yearlong certification process includes training for staff on how to make meaningful connections with residents throughout the day. That means allowing time to sit with a resident to chat or share a meal.

“They need to be free to do their work differently,” Wheeler said.

Trainer Sally Knocker said staff will be encouraged to be themselves at work, rather than going by the old notion of keeping a professional distance. Uniforms will be ditched as well to lessen the institutional feel.

“We want you there as a person, as an individual,” said Knocker, who spoke at the Wednesday launch about the holistic approach to care. “It isn’t just about looking after bodies.”

Certified long-term care homes are seeing a reduction in the use of antipsychotic medications as well as fewer falls and cases of worsened depression. Staff satisfaction is up, and sick time is down.

At Sunnyside, the project will be funded by the home’s foundation and the region.

Royce Hatherley is excited about the new approach. His wife Joan, who has dementia, moved in just over a year ago. “They’re already doing that, as far as I’m concerned,” he said.