b"PHYSICIAN OF THE YEARthan it was at the beginning of my career. While this adds complexity, it's done with the intention of keeping residents safe and providing them with the best possible care. There's more recognition of long-term care as a specialized niche in the medical field now. Certainly, it does require a different approach to care.I think there has been a lot more investment in long-term care from educators and from government. The opportunities for education of staff in all departments are much greater. The interest in elder care has grown, both within our home and in the medical community. More seminars, courses and subjects are available, leading to more trained professionals. There are more people to connect with and learn from. There is also a greater awareness of the importance of resident and family involvement.Dr. Tuttle receiving her OLTCC Physician of the Year award with members of the Extendicare Hamilton team WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OFMeet Dr. Irene Tuttle THE JOB?DR. IRENE TUTTLE: The long-term The Ontario Long Term Care Clinicians'relationships with residents and their familiessome which have been over 2024 Physician of the Year 20 years longare very rewarding. It is equally rewarding to be able to work T hroughout her more thanprovide care as their primary physician.with support staff in every department of the hometo get input from or to 30-year career dedicated toIn 1992, I was invited to Hamilton togive input to staff, be it administration, long-term care, Dr. Irene Tuttle,work with the geriatric assessmentnursing, dietary or housekeeping!Medical Director at Extendicareteam, the memory clinic and the Hamilton, has been a source ofchronic care unit at the HendersonIn the early years of the home, I leadership, wisdom and inspiration(now Juravinski) hospital. About 25spent a lot of time educating the staff among her peers. Long Term Careyears ago, the beds in this unit wereabout dementia and corresponding Today connected with Dr. Tuttle fortransferred to Extendicare to managebehaviours they may see in the home, some reflections on her career. until their own nursing home wasin particular in the memory care unit. completed in its present site. I wasThe nursing and personal support staff YOU'VE HAD A LONG ANDasked to be the medical director then became an amazing problem-solving IMPACTFUL CAREER INa role I have greatly enjoyed. group. Medication management has SENIORS' CARE. WHATbeen a long-term interest, and I have INITIALLY BROUGHT YOU TOWHAT ARE SOME OF THEenjoyed working with Extendicares THE FIELD? BIGGEST IMPROVEMENTS physician working group, and in OR CHANGES YOU'VE the management and reduction DR. IRENE TUTTLE: I have alwaysSEEN IN LONG-TERM of antipsychotic medications. We had an interest in the care of theCARE THROUGHOUT continue to work hard on this. elderly. In medical school, we hadYOUR CAREER?a strong emphasis on geriatrics andI am very happy that when I walk pharmacologyboth very important inDR. IRENE TUTTLE: Residents todaythrough the home the residents want long-term care. are increasingly complex. We rarelyto catch my eye and have a chat, even receive ambulatory residents now. Ourif I am not their physician. I feel it is As my family-practice patients began topopulation is more frail and often moreso important for each of them to be move into long-term care, my practicemedically complex. Another change isrecognized as a person, even if it just followed them, and I continued tothat long-term care is more regulatedby a smile or touch in passing. LTCTwww.oltca.com LONG TERM CARE TODAY 51"