b'RESIDENT-CENTRED CARElearnings in their everyday roles. It has also involved sending employeesTHE 10 PRINCIPLES OF THE EDEN ALTERNATIVEand managers to learn from the Eden model pioneers at the Sherbrooke1.Loneliness, helplessness and boredom are painful and destructive Community Centre in Saskatoon,to our health and well-being.where the program has been embodied since 1999. 2. A caring, inclusive and vibrant community enables all of us,regardless of age or ability, to experience well-being.Right now, were in the process of working through some of the3. We thrive when we have easy access to the companionship wepractices, implementing pieces,desire. This is the antidote to loneliness.getting small wins, and celebrating4. We thrive when we have purpose and the opportunity to give, as our successes when we can, Norris reports. Something like this takes well as receive. This is the antidote to helplessness.time and momentum, but weve 5. We thrive when we have variety, spontaneity and unexpected been working on this for about six years and were getting there.happenings in our lives. This is the antidote to boredom.Osgoode has already received their 6. Meaningless activity corrodes the human spirit. Meaning is uniqueEden designation. to each of us and is essential to health and well-being.Feedback from Osgoodes leadership7. We are more than our medical diagnoses. Medical treatmentteam, staff and residents has beenshould support and empower us to experience a life worth living.encouraging. The approach has also gained support from the community,8. Decision-making must involve those most impacted by thewhich has helped raise funds todecision. Empowerment activates choice, autonomy,implement some of programs that areand influence.used in the home, such as a Tovertafel (magic table). This support is much9. Building a collaborative and resilient culture is a never-endingappreciated by Norris. We areprocess. We need to keep learning, developing, and adapting.definitely driven to continue this, and we know its going to take a village,10.Wise leadership is the key to meaningful and lasting change. she says.For it, there can be no substitute.Norris offers advice to other homesSource: www.edenalt.orgengaged in resident-centred culture change: This isnt a cookie-cutter program, and success comes from within. If you truly want to act the language that people speak about, then you need to engage with your residents in a very different way than what we\'re doing now. Not just your activities of daily living, that\'s medical; it\'s the social part that makesthe impact." LTCTwww.oltca.com LONG TERM CARE TODAY 23'