Keeping It Normal program helps home win innovation award
Program providing meaningful activities for people with dementia replicated at other homes
Monday, June 4, 2012 -- Deron Hamel
Community Nursing Home Pickering won the 2012 Quality Improvement Award in the Innovation of the Year category during the Ontario Long Term Care Association/Ontario Retirement Communities Association annual convention.

The Keeping It Normal (KIN) program was the driving force behind the home’s win. The program centres on resident-focused themes that provide engagement and increase stimulation for residents affected by cognitive impairment.

The themed areas of the floor where the program is being held include a baby nursery, complete with a highchair, stroller and baby dolls that make noise and a men’s workshop area where residents can sort nuts and bolts and work with wood, while wearing hardhats and tool belts. There is also an area designed to look like an old-fashioned country schoolhouse.

“One of the things that I like about the areas is that they allow distraction for residents who might be exhibiting agitation or aggressive behaviours,” Community Nursing Home Pickering administrator Metzie Lacroxi tells the Morning Report.

By having these themed areas available to residents, men and women living at the home can reminisce about the things they used to enjoy doing, while getting the real-life touch stimulation from handling objects related to the theme.

“(The program) also allows for staff and families to engage with residents so you don’t have that boredom and the loneliness,” explains program director Jennifer Stevens.

“There are self-determined areas where they can go in and stay for as long as they want. ”

Lacroxi explains how recently one resident was refusing to eat. She also had baby dolls from the nursery area in her room. When the resident told Lacroxi she didn’t want to go for breakfast, the administrator asked, “Well, are your babies hungry?”

“I guess so,” the resident replied.

“Well, you haven’t had breakfast yet, so why don’t we take your babies and go for breakfast,” said Lacroxi.

“That’s a good idea!” the resident exclaimed.

Stevens says the program has been so successful that representatives from other long-term care homes have visited Community Nursing Home Pickering to learn about how to replicate KIN.

“The Alzheimer Society has also been very supportive of our program and I know they recommend it, and I know of two other homes that have incorporated the KIN philosopy to increase stimulation in their dementia units,” she says.

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