Forging A Better Path to Long Term Care

Monday, 29 April 2019 13:57

Woodingford Lodge has a new groundbreaking program aimed to help ease the transition for residents and their families when it comes to moving into a long term care home.

WOODSTOCK - A team from Oxford County's Woodingford Lodge has developed a new transition program for new residents and their families.

Forging a better path to long-term care is designed to to help alleviate common stressors, depression and responsive behaviours related to moving into long-term care. The idea of moving out of the comfort of one’s home, or losing one’s independence can be stressful and even frightening.

Supervisor of Behavioural Supports for the County of Oxford Mark Dagger says this is the first of it's kind in Canada.

"When we did our research and our data collection, it is the first of it's kind in Canada. Where it differs from other programs is it is a program that not only supports the individual waiting for placement for long term care but actively supports the family as well. The concept behind the program is having the individuals coming to long term care, to have a meal in our dining space, participate in our programs well beforehand, that is what makes it different, is you are actually participating in the long term care home that you may reside in some day."

The Family Transition Program is for individuals in Oxford County who are 18 years of age or older and are waiting for permanent placement into a long-term care facility of their choice. Key features include completion of a supportive community screening; ensuring required services and community supports are in place prior to the individuals admission into long-term care; and finally, a review of life and medical history, previous agency involvement, and any access needed to continue those services for the individual once they have entered their new long-term care residence.

Anyone looking for more information is asked to attend a free session at the Woodingford Lodge in Woodstock on Wednesday May 15th, from 6-8 pm.