Paramedic and Seniors on the Move

When an on-duty paramedic walks into a building, it is typically to provide medical care and services to someone. However, when the paramedic is Adam Loria and the facility is the Whitehorn Village, something else may be occurring.

Click here to read the full story.

Hidden camera finds nursing home staff took hours to give man CPR | Toronto Star

There are some events that leave a person speechless. This is one of them.

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/11/19/hidden-camera-finds-nursing-home-staff-took-hours-to-give-man-cpr.html

Connecting Through Conversation

For many individuals, their goal is quality of life rather than medically extended longevity.  This is especially true for frail seniors.  Unfortunately, there can be a disconnect between what the senior desires, the actions taken and ultimately the healthcare provided.  As a means of addressing this disconnect, a new study is being conducted in Canada that aims to evaluate ways to improve care planning conversations.  As Dr. John You, project lead for the project states, “Advance care planning can have a significant impact on the patient experience and the family experience….They deserve to have their voices heard.”​  Click here to read more about this study.

The Cost of Speaking Up?


Oft times, patients and families are hesitant to express their complaints and concerns relating to a particular care facility. The source of this hesitation can be from a deep sense of fear – the fear of retaliation. While in most cases no negative repercussions result when a complaint or concern is raised, such is not the case in a long-term care facility in Ontario, Canada.

According to a retired hospital nurse and daughter of a resident at the care facility, she is no longer able to stay in her mother’s room while her mother is being cared for by the staff. The reason for this restriction is because of the complaints the daughter made about the substandard care and dangerous hygiene practices she witnessed. “You complain and this is the price you pay.” What does this say about the facility’s view of family presence?

Click here to read the full story.

And We’re Off!


Today, Tuesday, June 6th, is the day for you to ask and answer the following question.
“What Matters to You?”
Join in the discussion on Twitter, using the hashtag #wmty17 and on the public blog found at https://t.co/sLz6U3P5nL

The Magic of Music?

Have you ever noticed how your mood can change when you put in your earbuds or turn on your stereo? Have you ever been at a concert and, with the first down beat, felt more energized than you had only moments before? Have you ever been in a room full of people and witnessed how the heaviness and tension that was once present seemingly disappeared when music began filling the air? If situations such as these have left you wondering if there was something magical about music, you may wish to take a few minutes to watch this video.

Research over People?

Living with a chronic condition can result in a number of challenges, including alienation, isolation and loneliness. Oft times, these factors can be more problematic than the condition itself. 

Fortunately, there are disease-related organizations that can assist individuals with their illness as well as other the challenges, such as those noted above. Sadly, some of these organizations are forfeiting these services in pursuit of a “cure.” As such, the person with the disease is becoming secondary to the disease itself. Click here to read what individuals with MS are facing.

News Flash – AUA Expansion

A new provincial policy is seeing the Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics (AUA) initiative expanding in Alberta. In particular, the policy addresses the use of restraints in all Alberta Health Services’ facilities and partners. The four types of restraints included in the policy are pharmacologic, mechanical, physical and environmental Click here to read more about “Restraints as a Last Resort” and other important topics in the Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics (AUA) Winter 2016 Bulletin.

“Reducing Emergency Transfers of Nursing Home Residents (EXACT)”

If you have not already watched this video, you may wish to take a few minutes to do so. Among other things, it will provide you with some insight into what can happen when nursing home residents are transferred to the emergency department and how these transfers and negative effects can be decreased.

“We Are Detectives” – Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics in LTC

In 2013, Alberta Health Services (AHS) funded a pilot project that focused on the use of antipsychotics in long-term care facilities. Starting with 11 early-adopter sites, the Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics in Long-Term Care Project has now been implemented in all of the 170 long-term sites across the province. The results have been very positive for all involved – residents, families, and staff. Click here to explore the AUA Toolkit, where you can find news and resources relating to the AUA project.