WHAT'S IT LIKE TO MOVE TO A NURSING HOME?
A mentor program pairing those about to move a loved one into
the Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged with those who've
been through the experience aims to make the process easier
for residents and families.
A joint effort of the nursing home and Volunteer Services
at Baycrest, the mentor program is part of a larger quality
improvement push. "We looked at different aspects of the
admission process to identify areas for improvement. We felt
it was important to give family members and residents a voice
in this process so we invited the Residents' Advisory Council,
the Family Advisory Council and the Patients' Association of
Canada to participate along with a team of Apotex staff," said
director of Care, Suman Iqbal.
Michael Singer has volunteered to be one of the first family mentors.
His mother, Irma Singer, a long-time volunteer at Baycrest moved
to the nursing home in 2005 and lived there until she died in 2010.
Mrs. Singer continued to volunteer, serving as a member of the
residents' council. Now her son says he wants to become a family
mentor because of his mother's positive experience. "She loved it
here. I've got to continue in her footsteps."
TALKING ABOUT PALLIATIVE CARE
The Baycrest Palliative Care team held its first conference in
November, prompted by requests from nursing staff to create a
venue for team members to share their inter-professional insight
and expertise. A sold-out crowd of more than 130 people attended
the conference, entitled Ending Well at End of Life. Dr. Daphna
Grossman, deputy head of palliative care at Baycrest, said that
palliative care often focusses on individuals with terminal cancer.
"Here we have expertise in symptom control and management
for many different terminal illnesses and specialized knowledge
in the unique needs of our geriatric population."
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-13
9
