b'BEHAVIOURAL SUPPORTScentred care and gradually reduce use of medications. This included conversation starters about the residents native country providedto staff in the residents WOW & Now, which promoted a greater sense of calm. She also becameless agitated when holding familiar objects that seemed to evoke memories of her own personal and cultural experiences.Other person-centred activities forthis resident included playing music that she enjoyed, in addition to Murals painted on the wall are of a 1950s-style kitchen which sensory supports such as hand may feel familiar to some residents at Extendicare Rouge Valley massages, aromatherapy, outdoor visits, and speaking in calming andOutreach Team Nurse with theThe family reported the residentreassuring tones.Scarborough Health Network, whoreturned home with improved mood, supports residents at Extendicareincreased engagement in activities,Following implementation of these Rouge Valleys BSTU. Collaborationsbetter sleep patterns and reducedcare interventions, the residents and partnerships across the healthagitation. They now keep a copy ofcomfort levels stabilized, and care system can help provide supportthe WOW & Now tool on the wallmedication use was able to be from an interdisciplinary team withbeside their loved ones bed to helpcarefully tapered. With this new daily expertise in dementia care and visiting personal support workerscare roadmap, she was able transition mental health. individualize the home care back to a mainstream long-termthey provide. care environment.Examples of care In one example, the personalized careIn another example, a resident wasWith person-centred care, residents a resident received at Extendicareadmitted to the BSTU because theare often comforted by engaging in Rouge Valleys BSTU enabled himteam in the long-term care homeactions that are related to past careers, to move back home with his familywere finding that escalating verbal andactivities or sports. By learning what is and reconnect with his wife. Prior tophysical responsive behaviours madefamiliar and meaningful to residents, admission to the unit, the family wereit challenging to deliver care. the BSTU teams at Extendicare unlock unable to care for him due to verbalkey elements in this specialized and physical responsive behavioursAfter a comprehensive residentdementia care that can make a world related to dementia. The care planassessment in the BSTU, the teamof difference to residents and their developed by the BSTU team andstarted a plan to provide more person- loved ones. LTCTWOW & Now tool delivered waysfor the family to better managethese behaviours.Practical adjustments to day-to-day life included structured daily routines, specific activities tailored to their loved ones interests, and modifications to the home environment to help avoid responsive behaviours. For example, this included moving the individual from their wheelchair to another location when behavioural triggers were observed. Providing personal care to the resident had previously been a challenge, but distractive techniques, such as holding the residents hand and speaking to them in their language from childhood, were a simple strategy that helped eliminate responsiveHallways at Extendicare Rouge Valley are painted with murals of Toronto cityscapes, including behaviours during these times. landmarks such as the CN Tower. There are also bus stops where residents can sit26 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Fall/Winter 2024'