'Gentle Care' approach a success story at Hamilton Continuing Care
Friday, October 1, 2004 - Roderick Benns
It is the Gentle Care approach of consultant Moyra Jones that works exceedingly well for the residents of Hamilton Continuing Care, a best practice at this steel city facility, according to administrator Lorraine Preston.

Preston says the small, 64-bed facility is especially adept at providing Gentle Care for residents, which takes into account individual resident needs first and foremost.

"If we could sell the care, not just the home, we’d be full all the time," says Preston.

"People can see and sense" the level of care we provide, she adds.

Gentle Care, as defined by Preston, concentrates on a resident’s personal and individual needs. For instance, if a resident wants to sleep in, this should be respected. "We would expect housekeeping wouldn’t go in there during that time," explains Preston, as an example.

It also involves keeping voices down, whether a staff member is speaking to another staff member or a resident. "Noise is often an issue" in a long-term care facility, says Preston, which a lot of people do not realize.

"It could be the talking, a mop banging against a bed, a food cart or just keeping the level of discussion down, especially during the mornings" when many residents are still sleeping, she says.

This includes maintenance-based sounds, too, if a repair needs to be made in or on the building, says Preston.

This gentle approach to care is driven by the owners of the facility, Deem Management Services Ltd., according to Preston. Staff members have attended seminars and workshops on the approach to care, and there has been decorating ideas as well to make the facility more home-like, according to Preston.

"The individual care and attention residents receive here" reflects the Gentle Care principles, says Preston.