b'ALTERNATE LEVEL OF CARESTORIES OF CAREAt a recent gathering to share successes and future opportunities of the ESN, Maria Baros shared what life had been like before her husbands admission. Emery had been in hospital for three-and-a-half months, and she dreaded the prospect of receiving another heartbreaking call that was happening all too often. Restrained by several security guards, her husbandconfused through medication and dementiawould be held down while the hospital team sought Marias permission to administer a dose of powerful antipsychotic medication. Unfortunately, this can be the approach when someone living with dementia expresses their distress or frustration with threats of anger. It was a nightmare, says Baros. The five months Rosa Martinezs husband Tomaso was in hospital before coming to Erin Mills Lodge were equally difficult. He refused food and grew more confused with each passing day. She could only visit for an hour at a time due to COVID-19 restrictions and felt guilty about not being there. When I was there, he was a different person; otherwise, hed fight all the time with the nurse, with the PSW, and it was harder to control him, she explains.Another participant in that session, Marilyn Jones, describes similar guilt and worry when her husband Michaels condition worsened in hospital within seven weeks, to the point where he could no longer walk, feed himself or speak. When Emery, Tomaso and Michael transitioned out of hospital to the Enhanced Supportive Care Neighbourhood at Erin Mills Lodge, their quality of life improved and personal expressions began to ease. Their wives could visit at any time, and they noted significant improvements in their husbands health and well-being, as well as changes to their own stress levels and peace of mind. All three men are well on their way to being ready to transition to a more permanent home within long-term care. Names have been changed to protect resident privacy.Our new, multi-year, national plan is our commitment to continuous improvement in high-quality and compassionate care, guided by ve key areas:1 Improve the quality of life for those we care for2 Support the success of our team membersEngage residents and families as partners in care 3 and organizational change4 Replace or upgrade older long-term care homes5 Increase transparency and accountabilityWE ARE ON Were here to help people live better, by reimagining and building a better future for seniors care in Canada.A MISSION:TO IMPROVE CARE, EVERY DAY, Learn more about our Improving Care Plan. ACROSS EVERY HOME WE OPERATE. Visit www.extendicare.com/ImprovingCare14 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2022'