b'PARTNERS IN CAREEssential caregiversas partners in careThe Partners in Care Pandemic ToolkitBy Alison KilbournC OVID-19 has forced us all topatients. The toolkit resources include change how we live, work anda Caregiver Identification (ID) badge, care for one another. Prior toToolkit Guide with implementation tips the pandemic, caregivers told us theyfrom early adopters, and a Partners in were struggling to cope; they feltCare Pledge. isolated, alone and worried about theirCommunities, an early adopter of own mental health.The cornerstone of the toolkit isthe toolkit, the pledge was a critical Caregiver Identification (ID), whichfactor in ensuring the safe presence of The pandemic not only highlightedwas originally developed by Theessential care partners. what we already knew but createdChange Foundation in collaboration new challenges for caregivers,with caregivers. While a caregiverAdding this pledge into the screening including reduced access for thoseidentification badge is a simplepractice supported conversations at who are supporting a family memberconcept, it has shown to have a bigthe door for our screeners andor friend living in long-term care.impact and has become a symbol ofour families, reinforcing that we Visitation restrictions, designed tocaregiver recognition and inclusion. all have a role to play in ensuring slow the spread of COVID-19, hadsafety for everyone, says Jennifer a devastating impact on the healthCaregiver ID enables staff toKilling, Vice President of Quality, outcomes for many residents. Theyeasily identify caregivers, but moreResearch and Strategic Partnerships, also led to feelings of confusion, griefimportantly, it demonstrates anpeopleCare Communities. and heartbreak for caregivers andorganizational commitment to families. The pandemic has maderecognizing caregivers as essentialOver the course of the pandemic, clear the importance of differentiatingpartners on the care team, says LisaCaregiver ID has been launched in between visitors and essential careSalapatek, Executive Lead, Strategicmore than 24 long-term care sites partners that play a critical role inPartnership and Innovation, Theand hospitals across Ontario. The resident health and well-being.Ontario Caregiver Organization. Itcaregiver ID badge was a tangible can also be used to foster familyand visual way for us to recognize the Understanding the need for healthpresence policies while building trustimportance of family presence among care organizations to enableand dialogue between caregivers staff and how caregivers support the caregiver presence in a safe andand staff.social, emotional and physical support meaningful way, the Ontario Caregiverof residents, says Killing. Organization (OCO) created theMutual commitmentPartners in Care Pandemic Toolkit.The Partners in Care Pledge securesIn addition, the use of a common The toolkit is designed to supportthe mutual commitment betweensymbol sets the stage for caregivers long-term care and hospitals in thethe caregiver and long-term homehaving a more consistent caregiving re-engagement of caregivers asto work together in keeping staff,experience across all health care partners in care, while also prioritizingresidents and caregivers safesettingsfrom hospitals to long-term the safety of staff, residents andduring COVID-19. For peopleCarecare homes, to community care. LTCTAbout OCO Alison Kilbourn is a Project Lead for Strategic Partnerships The Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) exists to improve theand Innovation at the Ontario lives of Ontario caregiversordinary people who provide physical orCaregiver Organization. She is emotional support to a family member, partner, friend or neighbour.passionate about the socialThe OCO is an independent, non-profit organization and is funded bydeterminants of health, promot-the Ontario Ministry of Health.ing health equity, and collabora-tively creating systemic solutions To learn more about the Partners in Care Pandemic Toolkit, to improve the lives of caregiv-visit: www.ontariocaregiver.ca/partnersincare/ ers and those they care for.32 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Fall/Winter 2021'