b'CULTURE CHANGEPerson-centred languageLeading the PCL movement in long-term care homesW ords matter. In long-termsee your self-reflections, your learning care, words can make allover time, and how you correct the difference in creating ayourself without shame or blame.community that promotes dignity for everyone that lives and works in yourSometimes, you may be in a long-term care home. In this article,situation where you wish to confront we explore the practice of usingsomeone about their word choices. Person-Centred Language (PCL) Be respectful in correcting another that is respectful, life-affirming person: take them aside privately and and inclusive. let them know how their words can impact team members and residents. What is PCL? This act of privately correcting PCL puts people first instead of thesomeone is referred to as calling in diseases, symptoms or conditions thatand can be a powerful tool to create they have. Using PCL in long-terma safe space for change to occur. Its care helps us focus on the strengthsa way to hold each other accountable and abilities residents have. Forwhile also positively influencing each example, instead of calling someoneother. The key is to start small. Each a demented person, dementia sufferer or senile, considerconversation plants a seed in that persons mind that will using PCL and describing them as a person living withbloom over time.dementia. By using person-centred language, we honour, respect and dignify the individual by being thoughtful andHow can you join the PCL movement?building up strengths and abilities. As a team member, you can influence the culture of your long-term care home. Please consider the ways you can Why use PCL? promote the use of PCL to those around you:How do you want to be spoken with or about? We knowthat words can be a powerful tool and yet its easy to1.Use PCL team members who use inclusive and forget how much the words we use affect those aroundrespectful language and are helping to lead a culture us. And often, actions follow our words. Person-centredchange movement in long-term care homes.language and person-centred care go hand in hand. This is part of the reason we are spreading the word on person- 2. Post the PCL postercentred language to as many long-term care homes as we(www.behaviouralsupportsontario.ca/pledge)can. PCL helps us build authentic and trusting relationshipsin common areas where everyone can read it andwith residents and team members and it can also shift thebe inspired.culture of care in the long-term care home.3.Take the online pledge and print and display Person-centred language benefits residents andyour pledge in your long-term care hometeam members (www.behaviouralsupportsontario.ca/pledge).Research has shown that PCL can help reduce responsivebehaviours or personal expressions in residents. This4.Encourage your team members to take the person-benefits everyone involved, including the person living withcentred language eLearning course. It is free and online dementia, the team caring for the resident, and their familyfor anyone to take: https://clri-ltc.ca/pcl/ LTCTor other care partners. The use of person-centred language can also help team members and residents interact moreYou can find more PCL resources at: clri-ltc.ca/pcl. The positively with each other. Person-Centred Language initiative and resources have been co-developed by Behavioural Supports Ontario What if someone around me is not using PCL? (BSO) and the Ontario CLRI at the Schlegel-UW Research It can be frustrating when team members and residentsInstitute for Aging with support from an expert panel. around you arent using PCL. Theyre likely at differentThis work is supported in part with funding from the stages of this journey! As a PCL champion, you can play anGovernment of Ontario through the Ontario Centres for influential role by modelling the use of PCL when speakingLearning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care. The to and about your team and residents. You can also inspireviews expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views others by bringing them into your process. Allow them toof the Province.44 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2022'