b"RESIDENT-CENTRED CARETHE LIVING IN MY TODAY APPROACHDementia impacts each individual in unique ways, and changes how people perceive and experience the world around them. Schlegel Villages believes there is no loss of self, but rather a change in self.LIVING in My Today supports people living with dementia as they tap into their strengths, express themselves, and enjoy the comfort and security of friendships in a place where they experience acceptance and belonging. An emphasis on developing relationships while understanding the experience of those livingwith dementia forms the foundation of the five pillars of LIVING in My Today: 1. Meaningful and know our residents as people first andthe woman saw pictures of Luthsactive engagement then connect that understanding topotato garden, she became animated our care, she explains. and communicated with gestures that 2. Enjoyable mealtimesLuth needed to cover up her potatoAs part of the program, teamplants. She was right! I took her 3. Empowered care partners members are taught strategies onadvice, showed her what I had done,how to connect with residents whoand then shared regular photos of4. Thoughtful designmay have communication challenges my garden.5. due not only to dementia but to Supportive approaches to care language barriers, aphasia or hearing In their schooling, personal support loss. Most of us have never learnedworkers are sometimes told to leave how to do this, says Luth. their personal lives at home, Luth Luth began designing LIVING in adds. But each person needs to find My Today through consultation withTeam members are encouragedtheir connection point with others, residents, family members, staff,to use a show and tell approach,and that comes from being authentic. caregivers and dementia where someone uses gestures and care specialists.familiar items as well as words to helpSignificant progress has been made communicate their intent. An exampleover the past year and results are The implementation of the programwould be bathing: Instead of saying,beginning to show. Team members was sidetracked by the pandemic, butWould you like to have a bath?, staffhave reported stronger and more even throughout those difficult dayswill approach and show a residentreceptive resident interactions and there were opportunities to developa bath towel and soap, holding it and trial program components. Asforward so the resident can, if theyless resistance to care. These early the pandemic retreated, it becamechoose, touch, smell and processsuccesses have given Schlegel Villages an opportunity to shift our focus towhat they are being asked.We movethe confidence to implement LIVING introduce and train team members onaway from being someone who isin My Today across other homes. LIVING in My Today, Luth says. doing something to them, Luth says. Those nine villages are now moving With support from a grant, LuthTeam members are also encouragedinto later steps of the program, and and her team supported nineto share their own interests to engagewe're hearing stories of connections Schlegel Village homes in triallingresidents and form relationships. Luthand relationships during care the Supportive Approaches to Careshares that her own love of gardeningmoments that blow me out of the pillar of the program. We designed in particular, her efforts in growingwater, says Luth, adding, Now that a pathway for them to follow whichpotatoeswas the bridge to formingthe magic has started, the restfocused on learning how to get toa relationship with a resident. Whenwill follow. LTCT20 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2024"