Stayner Care Centre takes ‘butterfly’ approach to long-term care

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Long-term care residents set to move by mid-July

Big changes are coming to the Stayner Care Centre. By early summer, residents of the existing downtown facility will be relocated to a new building under construction on Highway 26, at the East end of Stayner.

Jill Knowlton, Director of Long Term Care Operations for Jarlette Health Services, says everything is on track to move people in by mid-July.

The existing building, originally built to accommodate 49 residents, celebrated its 40th anniversary last fall. During the pandemic, one bed was removed from each of the three- and four-bed wards, leaving the facility operating with 36 beds. The new Stayner Care Centre will have 128 beds, all in private or semi-private rooms. At 9,470 square feet, it will include larger personal rooms and common spaces. All washrooms will be fully accessible and the building will feature state-of-the-art HVAC and building automation systems, energy efficient windows, and plenty of comfortable outdoor spaces.

Knowlton says that even with all the improvements, the move will be stressful for some residents. “We need to understand that a long-term care home is first and foremost their home, and people get very attached.” In an attempt to ease the transition, the Jarlette team has been sharing regular video updates on the construction. Currently walls are being painted and flooring installed.

The goal is to create a cozy, welcoming space which will be home first, and then provide care. Knowlton says Jarlette is at the forefront of the “butterfly” approach.

“Every area will be filled with bright, bold colours to help with direction finding, and decorated with the ‘stuff of life’ – things chosen to reflect the histories and interests of residents,” she explains.

The butterfly approach is about meaningful living; keeping people active and involved. “It’s a culture transformation. Rather than have staff thinking “Bed Number 1 is scheduled for a bath this morning, we want them thinking about the person, and whether they would prefer to have a bath this evening.”

Knowlton says health care workers can become very task focussed and this move to an emotion based approach is designed to allow them to really get to know residents and be responsive to their needs. There is a year-long training program for staff to guide thisevolution.

Two years ago, the province announced Stayner Care Centre would receive funding as part of the government’s $6.4 billion commitment to build more than 30,000 net new beds by 2028, and 28,000 upgraded long- term care beds across the province.

Construction of the new building is about 85 per cent complete, and Knowlton says their operations team is scheduled to move in April 7 to start setting up the spaces with furnishings and draperies. There will be a final inspection by the Ministry of Long Term Care to certify the facility, then the 36 residents of the existing Stayner Care Home are slated to move in July 14. Starting July 16, the first new residents will be welcomed, with two more arriving each weekday until all beds are full.

Knowlton says there are currently 48,000 people waiting for long-term care in Ontario, and even after all 128 beds are filled, the Stayner home will have a wait list. Our ageing population means that homes must be able to care for older and frailer populations.

“I’ve been a nurse for 42 years,” she said. “We used to have people living in long-term care who had their own cars in the parking lot outside.”

The move will be a big change for staff as well as residents. “Because it’s located outside of downtown, staff will have to drive,” said Knowlton. The new Stayner Care Home is in an expanding subdivision which will soon feature a new Foodland location.

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