b'FAMILY TRANSITIONChecking inon Woodingford Lodge\'s Family Transition ProgramI ts been five years since Oxford Countys Woodingford Lodge opened the doors to its Family Transition Program. In the time since, the initiative has proven successful in helping hundreds of individuals and their caregivers gain more comfort and confidence along their journey to long-term care. Introduced in 2018, the first-in-Canada program encourages individuals on a waitlist for a long-term care home in the region to visit Woodingford Lodge\'s host home with their caregivers. Through these casual and introductory visits, future residents and their caregivers can become acquainted with a long-term care home environment while awaiting a permanent placement. At the same time, Woodingford staff have a chance to learn more about incoming residents\' lives and medical histories before their arrival. Tina Gray is a Supervisor of BSO (Behavioural Supports Ontario) and Transitions for the Family Transition Program who has been with the program since its launch. Looking back, she says the results were quick to show: "Right off the bat, our staff noticed that it was making a real difference for people who took part in the program and then moved into our long-term care home. The staff knew those people before they came through the doors, which helped everyone start from a place of familiarity and put families more at ease. It was amazing to see."An unexpected pivotIt was clear the Family Transition Program would make an impact upon arrival. However, as the initiative was picking up momentum, the Transition team faced its first major hurdle. "COVID hit, and like everybody else, it was a huge game changer," says Gray. "We could no longer bring those visiting individuals and caregivers into the 22 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Fall/Winter 2023'