b'RESIDENT ENGAGEMENTengagement) have taken a hit dueapproach), and to build a Councilhome; their indispensable influence to pandemic-related restrictions andfor the people who live in the home,builds a sense of community and human resources challenges facinginstead of trying to find residents whovitality in the home for residents and the sector, while at the same time,fit into an existing, and sometimesteam members. Residents Councils new legislation requires more residentoutdated, Council structure.are the lifeblood of the home. LTCTinvolvement and engagement in home committees and operationalIn other words, we need to adapt decision-making. Residents Councilmeeting and Council styles for the leaders and their supportive teampeople we have and let go of the ideaStephanie Ventura is the members need simple, easy-to- that residents (and team members)Education and Community implement strategies and approachesshould conform to existing structuresEngagement Manager at for engaging residents who, forthat may not work for them. This isthe Ontario Association of whatever reason, have lost, orresident-directed engagement. It isResidents Councils (OARC).have never had the opportunity toresidents shaping the place they call establish, the connection to their Council and to their long-term care home community.There are barriers to resident engagementwe hear this from residents and team members all the time. Residents tell us that participation in Residents CouncilsProven Energy Efficientis low because nothing everLaundry Technologychanges, so why attend meetings? or that meetings are not taking place because meeting spaces have been repurposed for pandemic-related storage and testing. We hear from team members that there are few residents capable of, or interested in, participating due to increasing resident acuity and decreasing ability, or that there simply isnt enough time to provide the kind of tailoredsupport needed to allow residentsto participate meaningfully in Residents Councils and otherhome committees.Yet, in spite of the barriers, we know how important it is for residents to be involved in the life of their home, to have a seat at the table when decisions are being made that affectLONG TERM CAREtheir day-to-day lives, and to share their lived experiences, including Experience a revolution in laundry technology using ozone how home policies and proceduresto cut laundry operational costs by up to 50%. Ecotex affect them. laundry oxidation systems enhance the performance of In our session, we invited participantschemicals and shorten the traditional wash cycle. Using cold to go back to basics and build awater instead of hot, kills bugs, sanitizes linens while being Council (and home committees) thatenvironmentally friendly! residents want to attend, and can attend, because they feel welcomed, well supported, and know that their voice matters because of theContact us at 1-877-755-5302 or visitresponse they receive from theirwww.cclcommerciallaundry.com and complete our homes leadership. The foundationonline quote request.for this is to know the residents and how to best support their participation (using a strengths-based www.oltca.com LONG TERM CARE TODAY 35'