Celebrating Gems in Long-term Care

Long-term care is about life

Location: Tullamore Community, Brampton, ON

Long-term care is about more than statistics and medical challenges. It’s about life. As part of Ontario’s publicly funded healthcare system, long-term care homes support people whose health needs require 24/7 nursing care, and within that care, there is joy, purpose, and connection.

At Sienna Senior Living, their approach is that living with meaning and purpose is essential to residents’ happiness and well-being. That belief is at the heart of the Gems in Our Community program, which celebrates and supports residents who want to make a difference by sharing their time, talents, and passions. The team at Tullamore Community in Brampton is just one of the Sienna communities making sure that life shines brightly with the Gems program.

Across long-term care homes in Ontario, compassion, creativity and collaboration are part of everyday life, and Sienna’s “Gems” program reflects that shared commitment. Amid the rapid rise of AI, the team reminds us that our greatest strength lies in our humanity.

Through their “Gems” program, Tullamore Community has created a space to celebrate and support residents of different nationalities, genders and varying cognitive impairments.

Each resident comes with unique strengths, alongside care needs that cannot be safely met outside long-term care. This program ensures residents have an opportunity to use their strengths, talents, and passions to contribute to their home and community in a meaningful way.

There is something for everyone – some residents cook a meal; others enjoy the simple act of folding laundry; and others like light organizing activities, such as sorting papers or assembling craft materials, which helps them stay engaged.

These activities help ensure residents have the same sense of purpose and belonging they had before moving into long-term care. Families also continue to play an important role as care partners, cheering residents on as they explore activities that matter to them.

Art Thompson is one of the Gems.

As someone who was initially not thrilled about moving into long-term care, Art has found a new purpose while receiving the daily support his health requires. He now runs a poetry program and often writes poems about the community. He is part of a shared leadership model for the Residents’ Council and has a close connection with the Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils (OARC). Art’s creative guidance and encouragement have also helped The Council at Tullamore to fundraise for a variety of events and items.

With the help of some local artists, Art’s poems have been turned into songs and can be listened to here and here.

In addition to arts and horticulture, the team at Tullamore also celebrates cultural diversity.

Team members volunteer their time to share presentations about their country of origin, bringing photos, music, dance and traditional foods, creating moments of connection that feel familiar and meaningful for residents.

With care and planning, the Resident Experience team has also been able to make some residents’ dreams come true.

In one instance, the team at Tullamore noted that a resident, who was struggling with a decline in their health, loved cars. Recognizing how important this was to his wellbeing, the Executive Director’s father – a member of a local car club – helped arrange a visit to the next show.

When another resident wanted nothing more than to attend a Michael Bublé concert in person, the team at Tullamore made it happen.

There is no care without collaboration, and the frontline staff, leadership and residents at Tullamore are proof of that. This sense of community and purpose is found in long-term care homes across Ontario, where residents continue to live meaningful, connected lives while receiving the support their health requires.