b'FAMILY CAREGIVERSPractical takeaways for LTC leadersAcknowledge concerns and walk the pathway with stafffear is natural, but it can be addressed throughdialogue, coaching and support.Start with high-impact transparencyopen care plans, vitals, diagnostics or medication changes first, then expand.Educate staff on professional documentationtransparency is an opportunity to elevate standards. Leverage technology strategicallyselect flexible platforms that fit your homes workflow and allow staged implementation. Engage families as partnerstreat questions and corrections as collaboration, not complaints.Respect residents consentensure residents control what is shared and with whom. Measure and iteratecollect family feedback continuously to refine communication processes. Scott added that initially this level ofstaff. Klein-Nouri said it has made adiagnoses, vitals, then consents,engagement felt overwhelming tosignificant difference across manyand then moved on to billing. And staff, but the growing pains werestaff activitiesfor example, consentafter using it for two years, she said short-lived. When we review the for vaccines is now much easier, as isthat staff are now coming forward care plans now with families, theysharing billing statements.asking for other ways to use thecome in well informed and its a portal to improve communicationreal collaboration.Speakers were asked for advice forand efficiency.other homes that were considering a Some of the homes provided micro- portal. What works for us might notTheres so much you can do with classes for residents and their familywork for you, said Scott. All speakersa resident and family portal, added members to learn how to use thenoted that they are in differentMann. Its a whole new worldportal, recognizing that not everyonestages of using their portals, and thatto explore LTCTis comfortable with technology.adding new information over time Chaugai said that typically aboutis a continually evolving process.Matthew Bradford is a freelance 80% of residents and families willKlein-Nouri noted that her homewriter with Long Term Care Today. use a portal, with the remainingstarted with care plans, medication, 20% still needing other kinds of communication. Klein-Nouri also discussed the importance of a consent process for the portal, noting that a few residents chose not to allow family members to have access. Each speaker also highlighted thatMaking a transparency has bolstered their ability to demonstrate regulatorydifference compliance. By sharing records proactively, organizations can show that families receive timelytogether. information and are engaged,said Scott. Staff have also benefited from the culture shift. By making records transparent, staff have become more precise in their documentation and have embraced the process as aProudly supporting OLTCA chance for continuous improvement.in shaping the future ofThe portals also support smootherlong-term care in Ontario.staff workflow by reducing phone calls and communication burden on www.oltca.com LONG TERM CARE TODAY 39'