Behavioural Supports Ontario Project - updated May 4, 2013
Background
The Central East Local Health Integration Network, in partnership with all Ontario Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs), has invested in the enhancement of services to improve care for seniors who exhibit behaviours associated with complex and challenging mental health, dementia or other neurological conditions by investing in local initiatives. The $40 million provincial investment, which included $1.6 million for the Central East LHIN in the 2011/12 fiscal year and $4.06 million on an annual basis, has allowed local health service providers to hire new staff – nurses, personal support workers and other health care providers – and train them in the specialized skills necessary to provide care for these patients with dignity and respect.
- To download a copy of the news release announcing this investment, please click here.
- To learn more about the provincial Behavioural Supports in Ontario project, please visit www.bsoproject.ca.
Central East LHIN Implementation
Action Plan
As one of the four “early adopter” LHINs, Central East worked with a group of local stakeholders to develop its local LHIN-wide Action Plan. This stakeholder planning group contributed to the development of a model and an implementation plan in the Central East LHIN that aligns with the provincial Behavioural Supports Ontario Framework.
The experts and frontline workers engaged in this development discussed opportunities for improvement throughout the continuum of care - from prevention and health promotion to tertiary treatment in all care settings.
The Central East LHIN Action Plan's initial focus on long-term care provided an opportunity to leverage existing resources that are already available in this sector and to distribute and leverage new nursing and personal support worker resources with the funding provided by the Province.
This results-oriented Action Plan has resulted in positive changes for people requiring support with behavioural issues.
- To download a copy of the Central East LHIN BSO Action Plan - Executive Summary, please click here.
Sustainability Plan - posted April 16, 2013
From the onset of the BSO initiative, for the Central East LHIN, sustainability has been considered to be an integral and significant component in the Project Plan now in development to carry BSO into 2013/14 and beyond. To view the Central East LHIN BSO Sustainability Plan, please click here.
Monitoring and Reporting
To download copies of the quarterly BSO reports submitted to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, please click on the links below:
Making a Difference in the Lives of Local Residents
Building Capacity - Training for Long-Term Care Homes, Hospitals and Community Agencies - updated August 27, 2012
As part of its BSO Action Plan, the Central East LHIN is continuing to make targeted investments to build capacity and ensure that staff in long-term care homes, hospitals and community agencies have the skills they need to respond to residents and clients with behavioural issues. In the last quarter of 2011/12, over 800 front line and managerial staff from long-term care, hospitals and community agencies had the opportunity to attend some of the over 20 BSO training sessions that were heldacross the LHIN. This training included sessions on:
- Montessori activities for the elderly help to keep seniors with dementia happier and more productive while boosting their sense of self-worth.
- U-First!, a proven and effective approach to working with people with dementia. Through dialogue and a case-based approach, learners have more confidence in working with people with responsive behaviours.
- P.I.E.C.E.S., a best practice learning and development initiative that provides an approach to understanding and enhancing care for individuals with complex physical and cognitive/mental health needs and behavioural changes.
- Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) in Dementia Care, an innovative education curriculum that is currently being offered to care organizations throughout Ontario.
Feedback from a Montessori session held in March:
"There is so much EXCITEMENT about all of the training that is being provided by the LHIN. There are administrators, Directors of Care, Personal Support Workers, Recreation Therapists, nurses, housekeeping and Social Workers all learning together. They are so grateful for these capacity-building opportunities and are empowered and determined to change the culture in their respective LTCHs." - (submitted by Linda Dacres, Clinical Director, Central East Nurse Practitioner Program and a member of the Central East LHIN BSO Advisory and Design Team)
Registration for BSO training sessions are open to staff from Central East LHIN funded health service providers. To register for these sessions, please click on the links below:
If you require additional information about this project, please contact Brian Laundry, Lead, Quality Improvement and Evaluation, Central East LHIN at brian.laundry@lhins.on.ca.