b'BEHAVIOURAL SUPPORTSPersonalized care forLTC residents living with dementiaInside Extendicares Behavioural Support Transitional UnitsAfocus on person-centred care is driving the way that two Extendicare long-term care home Behavioural Support Transitional Units (BSTUs) improve quality of life for residents navigating the progressive and challenging natureof dementia.Dementia is one of the most common reasons people move into long-term care. Many residents living with dementia find it challenging to communicate effectively, and some react with responsive behaviourssuch as striking out and exhibiting agitation to try to express themselves.At the core of their clinical approach, care teams at Extendicares BSTUs seek to understand resident behaviours and find meaning in them. Support for residents with complex behavioural needs and their families is achieved by learning about each residents behaviours and triggers,The Behavioural Support Transitional Unit at Extendicare Rouge Valley is overseen and then co-creating personalizedby an interdisciplinary team of highly skilled health professionalsbehavioural care plans and interventionsin some cases helping residents transition out of long-term28-bed BSTU at Extendicare McGarrellResidents living with dementia who care and return to family homes. Place in London, Ontario. display complex behavioural needs are cared for by interdisciplinary teams Learning everything we can about theThe BSTU hallways are painted withof highly skilled health professionals, resident in our care is at the heart ofcalming colours. At Extendicareincluding a geriatric psychiatrist, the support we provide, says KarenRouge Valley, beautiful murals ofgeriatric mental health outreach Simpson, Manager of Behaviouralnature landscapes and city scenesclinicians, registered nurses, nurse Supports and Dementia Care Experthave been intentionally designed topractitioners, social workers, personal and Nurse Practitioner at Extendicare.make the unit feel less clinical andsupport workers, activity aidesOur teams have developed innovativemore like a neighbourhood and physicians.ways to better understand ouror community.residents previous experiencesIn partnership with each residents and current care needs which putsFor example, Toronto landmarks suchfamily and caregivers, the teams delve us in a better position to developas the CN Tower are painted on thedeep to learn about each residents individualized care plans, improve theirwalls and TTC bus stops serve asstory and their behavioural patterns. quality of life, and alleviate responsiveresting places for residents. OtherThey use this information to develop behaviours related to dementia. murals in the BSTU include a diningindividualized care plans that recognize room or 1950s-style kitchen, whichtheir personhood, help alleviate Community feelmay look familiar to residents. Thereresponsive behaviours and create a The specialized units are located atare also interactive elements on thedaily roadmap for quality of life.Extendicare Rouge Valley, a long- unit, such as sensory boards thatterm care home in Scarborough,offer sounds and textures to "Residents in our units arent defined Ontario, with a 32-bed BSTU, and aengage residents. by their behaviours. We see them for 24 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Fall/Winter 2024'