Country Terrace applies team approach to increase restorative-care therapy

Reducing falls in half during 30-day period a real motivator, says LEA

March 12, 2010 -- Natalie Hamilton

Country Terrace has witnessed impressive improvements in resident safety, reducing the number of falls in half in just 30 days.

Knowing residents are safer and seeing tangible results is exciting and motivating for everyone involved, says life enrichment aide (LEA) Ruth-Anne Durocher. The reduction in falls is being attributed to an increase in restorative-care therapy for residents at the Komoka long-term care home.

"It's phenomenal," Durocher says.

Country Terrace has an Action and Motion committee, headed by the home's contracted physiotherapist with representation from senior staff members in each unit. The committee established a baseline related to falls and compared the results after a month of increased activity, such as walking and other exercises.

"It makes our vision clearer when we have the data to support it," Durocher says.

Durocher is referring to the advent of the Resident Assessment Instrument Minimum Data Set (RAI-MDS 2.0), which involves providing more restorative therapy for residents on a daily basis. The life enrichment department is involved in incorporating restorative care into the mix of resident activities and is guided by physiotherapist recommendations for each resident.

The physiotherapist visits between three and fives times a week but "we're here every day so residents have the opportunity every day to complete their restorative care goals."

When Durocher says "we" she's referring to staff from other departments, including nursing, not just life enrichment. She stresses it's a multi-disciplinary approach that's making such a positive impact at the 120-bed long-term care home.

"This is a team process," the LEA says. "You can't do just one component. Everyone is on board."

RAI-MDS 2.0 is an assessment tool providing a holistic view of residents in long-term care homes. As of July 1, all Ontario long-term care homes will be required to begin submitting their assessment data to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Read more about how LEAs are rearranging their time to incorporate restorative care into their roles at Country Terrace in an upcoming story.

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