b'PALLIATIVE CARECultivating happiness througha palliative approach to careBy Nadia Daniell-ColarossiH earing "palliative care" evokes different associations,families through four pivotal moments. These moments ranging from thoughts of death and dying toinclude: 1. Moving into Long-Term Care, 2. Significant concepts of life, comfort and treatment. There isChanges in Health Status, 3. End-of-Life Care, and 4. Grief a growing movement to create a universally understoodand Bereavement. Our training focuses on what that definition that emphasizes the benefits of palliative care andwraparound care looks like for each interdisciplinary team its early introduction for individuals with life-limiting illnesses.member, which is essential to bringing this vision to life.Attitudes are changing, as evidenced by Canadian InstituteHow does the journey map and playbook guide for Health Information stats that show a rising number ofthe approach for the role of different health care long-term care residents receiving palliative care in theirprofessionals in this approach?last year of life, up 19% from 6%. Advocates of palliative care argue for its accessibility to all who could benefit fromTR: The journey map illustrates the resident and family\'s it, especially in settings like long-term care. Achieving suchperspective, identifies their needs as their health changes. a significant change requires a coordinated effort and aThe playbook translates the map into concrete steps critical mass of trained professionals.for the entire team. There is a myth that only palliative physicians are involved. However, everyone who is part Sienna Senior Living is working towards this goal byof the care and support of residents in long-term care introducing a new palliative care model, investing incontributes to providing palliative care, including elements training and resources, and fostering a culture changeof emotional, spiritual and physical support. around its importance. Speaking to the key aspects, Tamara Ross, Vice President of Clinical Services, Long-Term Care,This is where our partnership with Pallium Canada to presented this innovative approach at the 2023 OLTCAdevelop educational and training frameworks makes our Conference in collaboration with Pallium Canada, clinicalmodel so comprehensive. Another critical element of this leaders, and frontline providers. Here are the highlights: approach is having a resident experience partner as an What does Sienna Senior Living hope to achieveadvocate for residents from the development process to with this new model? implementation. This perspective is an essential part of ensuring residents needs are at the centre of this work.TR: Sienna Senior Living\'s new Palliative Approach to CareWhat inspired you to focus on palliative care in Model is a significant shift in how we provide our residentsyour career?with care. At Sienna, our purpose is to cultivate happiness in daily life for our residents. We aim to personalize theirTR: My interest in palliative care came about following a experience with us and elevate their quality of life. By livingpivotal experience as a new nurse. I witnessed a resident our purpose, we can demonstrate that palliative care is notwho had been suffering for a long time without proper about the end but about creating a vibrant continuum of life.recognition. She did not have a good death, and it was We want to redefine the lines between living and leaving. difficult as a young nurse to see that happen. From that moment forward, I knew that a holistic, individualized This model is what we term an upstream approach topalliative approach to care would be something I would palliative carebecause it begins the moment the residentincorporate into my practice. Specifically, an approach that moves into long-term care, addressing their unique needs,recognized and honoured each residents unique wishes, wishes, values and beliefs. values and beliefs. As I have learned more about palliative care, we have the opportunity to help people transition We believe we have developed industry-leading processesthrough their end-of-life journey with a sense of comfort to deliver comprehensive palliative care for residentsand security, and it\'s become a passion of mine.with our Journey Map and Playbook. Our approach hasWhat makes this approach tailored tobeen designed in collaboration with stakeholders acrosslong-term care? Sienna and community partners to provide comprehensive support and pioneering tools for team members, residentsTR: The key difference is that we are laying the groundwork and families. for palliative care conversations early in the resident\'s How is Sienna Senior Living implementing journey. During the move-in stage, we focus on building this approach? trust from our first interactions with residents and families. This gets us to a place where we can be honest about the TR: We\'ve developed a Journey Map, comprehensivedisease trajectory to anticipate their needs and be ready Playbook and custom tools to train and guide our teamwith a plan. This proactive approach shifts the focus from members in delivering palliative care to residents andend-of-life care to a more forward-looking, proactive 14 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Fall/Winter 2023'