Baycrest

Using technology to overcome communication barriers among people with dementia Communication challenges can arise among front-line staff and residents in long-term care who only speak their native tongue. This is further complicated among residents with dementia who demonstrate responsive behaviours. To help residents with their day-to-day activities, Baycrest social worker, Tanya Klochkov, developed the Care Talk mobile application, with support from the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI). Care Talk acts as a communication tool to bridge language barriers between point-of-care staff working in Baycrest's long-term care home, the Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged, and residents who speak Russian. The app includes a list of 16 daily activities that residents may require assistance with, such as brushing their teeth, administering medications, and visits from family members. When a task is selected, a text translation, a photo, and an audio clip in the person's native tongue are shown. App developers engaged with licensed interpreters to ensure that audio files and instructions were suitable for older adult clients and a vocabulary page is also available to teach staff how to pronounce commonly used words and phrases. While caring for residents, Apotex staff used the Care Talk app to assist them. KL-CARE staff conducted an evaluation with Baycrest's personal support workers and registered practical nurses to assess the app's impact on residents and staff, as well as deployment feasibility. The app was made available through an iPad and 43 staff provided their feedback after using it for about two to four weeks. While using the app, staff found that residents were more responsive and approachable. Within two weeks of using Care Talk, about a quarter of the staff noticed less aggression (both verbal and physical), care refusal, and agitated behaviours among residents with dementia. Staff found that the app helped bridge language barriers for new residents and it was easy to use. Care Talk continues to be used by Apotex staff to facilitate their communication with residents and help them feel more comfortable with the care being provided. The Kunin-Lunenfeld Centre for Applied Research & Evaluation (KL-CARE) is a support-and-services hub that works with point-of- care staff, researchers, students, and companies to conduct research that allows Baycrest to offer the best care to older adults on our campus and beyond. Partnerships with 9 external organizations (industry/non-profit) 29 staff / 49 projects 14 Baycrest departments 20,000 support hours provided to healthcare professionals Kunin- Lunenfeld Centre for Applied Research & Evaluation 18 ROTMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE

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