b'DEMENTIA CAREA new way of life A high risk rounder escorting a resident outside to thecourtyard to harvest some produce she had helped plantfor residents with dementiaAddressing the need for more stimulation and attention By Lynn MunariS t. Josephs Villa is a 128-bedsecure unit, where unmet needs wereperiod from April to August 2021 and long-term care home in the Citycontributing to increased confusion,compared to the same period in 2020. of Greater Sudbury, Ontario. Ourboredom, loneliness, frustration, fear, excellent staff use best-practice toolsanger, sadness, lowered self-esteemBetter quality of life for residentsand assessments to care for residentsor self-confidence, and depression.We saw positive changes in residents requiring behaviour support and arequality of life, and this was reflected trained in multiple approaches suchThe goal of the HRR program wasin the data. There was a notable as Gentle Persuasive Approach (GPA),to provide person-centred anddecrease in critical incidents between UFirst, Pieces, Positive Approachescompassionate care that nurturesresidents, averaging 7.2 per month to Care, and Dementiability. Still, likeeach residents body, mind andpre-pilot, compared to 2.87 during the many other homes, we struggled withspirit, helping to reduce expressivepilot. Antipsychotic use declined as incorporating evidence into practicebehaviours and increase quality of lifewell, with a reduction of 6.2% in the to create a new way of life forby restoring their sense of purpose,first month of the pilot alone.residents and frontline staff.safety and belonging.Better PSW student experienceIn 2019, our organization adoptedWe embarked on a five-month pilotPersonal support worker (PSW) a dementia strategy as a strategicin our secure home area, usingstudents in the first and second HRR priority, and we developed astudents as high-risk rounders. Theytrial reported an increased sense Compassionate Care for Olderidentified residents who were mostof self-worth and a better outlook Adults with Dementia framework,at risk of responsive behaviours andon resident care, stating they will adopted across all four of our sites.worked with the team to implementbe better PSWs because of this In keeping with this framework, Highindividual, resident-centred strategiesexperience. A masters student who Risk Rounding (HRR) was conceived.to help meet their needs for increasedconducted the third HRR trial claimed We identified a need for increasedstimulation and attention. Specificit fit perfectly in her area of study stimulation and attention in themetrics were monitored for the trialand stated, I am happy I got this 40 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Fall/Winter 2021'