b'HEALTH & WELL-BEINGand experiences of people workingmoral healing. First and foremost, it isLeadership can set aside time for a in long-term care. Staff must knowimportant to acknowledge the highceremony in which a candle is lit in that they are not alone in feelingrates of resident loss in many homes,honour of each resident who has this way, and that the situations thatand how residents died. Governmentpassed, and staff who hold memories placed them at risk of feeling shamerestrictions prevented many homesthey want to share can offer a few and guilt, and of experiencing moralfrom being able to honour a deceasedwords to the group. Family, friends distress and injury, were not resident with the typical rites andand care partners, who have often their fault. ceremonies related to their passing,become part of the home, can be In fact, their feelings are a sign thatsuch as a dignity walk, or draping theinvited to join so that the staff can they are good people and qualityperson with a dignity quilt. include them as part of theirhealth care workers, who truly careFollowing the lifting of manyhealing journey.for their residents. They do not haverestrictions, spiritual care providers inScheduling regular, dedicated time to hold onto these feelings, andmany long-term care homes helpedto discuss morally complex issues experience this soul damage, alone. staff to remember their experiencescan also be very beneficial for staff, The current situation in long-termand their residents in a meaningfulsupporting their well-being and care may be difficult but it is notway. If this hasnt yet happened, itscreating a cohesive environment. hopeless. We have learned so muchnot too late.Experiencing management presence during the past three years. There areThere are many ways to honourand support on the floors helps evidence-informed strategies to helpresidents who have passed, includingbuild a sense of understanding, people move forward, strengthencreating a memory board, or a Treetrust, and teamwork. If possible, set their moral resilience, and supportof Life, where resident names/photosaside an hour or two every week moral healing even in the context ofcan be shared, or even a memoryor biweekly for a member of the ongoing uncertainty and restrictions ingarden with plants that held specialleadership team to offer a Moral the workplace. meaning for a particular resident. ThisOffice Hour, where staff can speak Providing dedicated time and spacewould serve as an ongoing visualto a member of the leadership team in which staff can process theirrepresentation of those who were lostabout any moral tension they mayexperiences is a crucial element ofduring such an impossible time. be experiencing. Thank You To Our SECTOR CHAMPIONS!jointheateam.com pointclickcare.com arjo.ca38 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Fall/Winter 2023'