b"BEHAVIOURAL SUPPORTSIs it a BSTU, BSU, and make people feel welcome. ByWindsor-Essex and help to reduce the using these colours, residents cannumber of patients in hospital ALC SBSU or TBSU?more easily navigate the home areabeds. We have hosted many tours and BSTUs across Ontario use a varietywhen they are way-finding, as staffhave had extremely positive responses of acronyms to refer to their unit.are able to direct them to their rooms'from community partners who have Some long-term care homes refercolour section.come to see the BSTU, such as EMS, hospital partners, Windsor-Essex to their BSTUs as behaviouralEach residents room is fully furnishedOntario Health Teams, Ontario Health support units (BSU), while otherswith a bed, bedside table, wardrobe,atHome, and team members from call them specialized behaviourGoogle Nest, incense, radio andother local long-term care homes.support units (SBSU) or transitionalpersonalized bedding to create a behavioural support units (TBSU). comfortable, home-like environment.BSTU operations Doors are wrapped to resemble frontAs we enter our second quarter doors in different colours, helpingof serving residents in the BSTU, providing specialized, transitionalresidents recognize their rooms, feelthe team is proud of many early support in a safe and person-centredmore at home, and support way- successes. In one case, a resident environment, BSTUs improvefinding. For example: Mr. Smith, yourwith frequent falls showed significant outcomes for residents and families,room has the green door with theimprovement after staff and family reduce avoidable hospitalizations,brass knocker. collaborated to introduce music and and help long-term care homes moregames the resident enjoyed, resulting effectively support individuals withThe BSTU Home area offers a rangein fewer falls through consistent complex and responsive behaviours. of engaging activities for residents andengagement. Another resident, families, including the Tovertafel forpreviously declined for long-term care Opening a new BSTU atinteractive cognitive games, and thedue to behavioural expressions, has Berkshire Care Centre Abby, which simulates relaxing drivesshown so much progress in our BSTU Berkshire Care Centre is a long-termor displays calming, interactive visualsthat they successfully transitioned into care home located in downtownlike cats. Individualized activities anda regular long-term care space inWindsor, with a resident capacity ofmeaningful occupations are alsoour home.181. The home opened in 1971 andavailable to support both physical and is owned and operated by Kinderamental stimulation. Our shining moment was a Fathers Living. Our home expressed anDay event for a resident and their interest in opening a BSTU as manyThe dining room has doors thatfamily who were deeply touched by of our residents have a dual diagnosiswelcome residents with CAF signs,our teams kindness. The celebration of dementia, mental health andcreating a special dining atmosphere.brought the family together, and addictions. After submitting ourAdditionally, the recreation team hasthe care provided has led them to application, we were honoured to be20 iPads for residents or their familieschoose Berkshire for their loved ones selected. This approval launched ourto use during visits. The iPads assistlong-term care, despite previously planning phase and, by March 2025,residents in watching TV, doing videoconsidering other homes.our BSTU officially opened, offeringcalls with loved ones, or playing their specialized support for up to favourite music to help them feelFamilies say their loved ones receive 25 residents.more comfortable.compassionate, individualized care, and were proud of our teams Our mission at Berkshire is to live aEssential partnershipsdedication. We welcome calls, culture of distinction through ourWe are very thankful for thequestions or tours anytime. LTCTcommitment to the well-being ofcommunity partners that have team members and residents. We feelsupported us in the planning and strongly that all residents deserve toopening of our BSTU, specificallyCharlotte Altenburg is the receive person-centred care that notbut not limited to BehaviouralRegional Director of Operations only supports and stimulates themSupports Ontario who providedwith Kindera Living (www.kinderaliving.ca). Katelynn Aelick physically, but also cognitively, and isan early environmental scan tois the Project Coordinator for the tailored to their individual journey.assist us in selecting colours for theBehavioural Supports Ontario walls, furniture, and education and(BSO) Provincial Coordinating Designing our BSTUtraining. Following this consultation,Office at the North Bay Regional At Berkshire, our BSTU home areaBerkshire team members completedHealth Centre. Jillian McConnell is located on floor five, known asGentle Persuasive Approach (GPA),is a Knowledge Translation Wildflower Lane. We made severalDementiAbility Methods and PiecesTMSpecialist at brainXchange, a environmental adaptations totraining for registered staff.knowledge exchange network ensure a homelike atmosphere thathosted by the Provincial reflects best practice. These includeWe are very proud of our communityCoordinating Office of Behavioural comfortable couches and chairs torelationships that have been furtherSupports Ontario (BSO) at the North Bay Regional Health Centre.enable socialization and painting wallsstrengthened, and that we are able(www.brainxchange.ca)to include bright colours that upliftto better support the community of www.oltca.com LONG TERM CARE TODAY 43"