Bethammi Nursing Home has become a stronger community after participating in a five-year palliative care research program.
“Our home has grown. We are more confident in what we do. It’s been an incredible five years to see our home do so much better,” said Jackie McDonald, a personal support worker at the long-term care facility.
Bethammi and Hogarth Riverview Manor were two long-term care homes that participated in the Quality Palliative Care in Long-Term Care Alliance, a five- year project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to enhance palliative care in long-term care homes.
Using tools in direct care, education and community partnerships, palliative care has improved in the homes.
McDonald said their residents have benefitted from the program through different therapies, one-on-one time with volunteers from Hospice Northwest and involving residents’ families more.
“It’s been a win-win situation for everybody. It’s brings us all closer,” she said.
There are also benefits for the staff.
“Having so many residents passing away, it’s very hard on the staff,” McDonald said. “They do become family to us.”
Now staff have debriefing sessions where they can help each other deal with the pain of losing a resident.
The Quality Palliative Care in Long-Term Care Alliance consists of 31 researchers and 50 organizational partners, including Lakehead University.
The local team has developed a workshop they have taken to all the long-term care homes in Northwestern Ontario and even a few in southern Ontario.
McDonald said they are also looking into the possibility of developing a palliative care course at Confederation College.
