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Minister of Long-Term Care Offers Congratulations, and Brings Greetings
Pembroke: Yesterday afternoon Minister of Long-Term Care the Honourable Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, along with County of Renfrew, Chair of Health Committee Michael Donohue and Director of Long-Term Care Shelley Sheedy greeted family members, staff, community partners and special guests assembled to celebrate the launch of the ‘The Butterfly Approach®’ at Miramichi Lodge.
Minister of Long-Term Care Dr. Merrilee Fullerton shared this comment, “Congratulations to Miramichi Lodge as they embark on their year-long journey to implement the Butterfly Model, a unique, innovative care approach that helps improve the well-being and quality of life for residents living with dementia.”
Chair of the County of Renfrew Health Committee Mayor Michael Donohue commented that, “This approach means connecting with the person on an emotional level, it means making the home truly feel like their home, and where family, friends and staff also feel at home.” He then added, “The County of Renfrew is committed to carefully evaluating, and documenting this project or the year-long journey. We will be sharing our experiences with other long-term care providers, the public, and the Provincial Government.”
Director of Long-Term Care for the County of Renfrew Shelley Sheedy talked about the path forward for implementing the Butterfly Approach and said, “We’ve put in place a number of elements to make our dementia units feel more home-like, but I believe that with the Butterfly Approach we can take those elements to whole new level.” She added, “While the majority of residents have dementia, to start the Homes will be focusing on adopting the approach on a unit with 27 residents at Miramichi Lodge and 20 residents at Bonnechere Manor.”
Ms. Sally Knocker, an associate Consultant and Ms. Nancy Cunningham a Consultant Trainer from Meaningful Care Matters presented on the Butterfly Approach and explained the benefits and the process of transitioning to a person-centered culture of care.
On Monday, Bonnechere Manor had a similar launch in their Rotary Hall. Warden of the County of Renfrew Debbie Robinson shared this, “I sincerely believe that we will remember 2020 as the year that life for people with dementia, and their families were forever positively changed.”
The County of Renfrew Long-Term Care Homes – Bonnechere Manor and Miramichi Lodge are embarking on a year-long journey to be certified in ‘The Butterfly Approach®’. ‘The Butterfly Approach®’ is an approach that is based on the belief that everyone, no matter where they are in life, deserves to live that life as fully as possible - this means meeting emotional needs as well as physical needs. First introduced as ‘The Butterfly Household Model of Care’ in the UK over 20 years ago by Dementia Care Matters; ‘The Butterfly Approach’ has been revitalized and updated and is now being introduced in Canada, to create person-centered care cultures.
Shelley Sheedy Director of Long-Term Care, County of Renfrew 613-433-8307
Michael Barber Media Relations/Grants Coordinator, County of Renfrew 613-735-7288
A successful Butterfly Approach Launch at Miramichi Lodge on Thursday, L-R: Chair of the County of Renfrew Health Committee, Michael Donohue; Consultant Trainer from Meaningful Care Matters, Nancy Cunningham; Miramichi Lodge Administrator, Michael Blackmore; Associate Consultant Trainer from Meaningful Care Matters, Sally Knocker; Director of Long-Term Care for the County of Renfrew, Shelley Sheedy; Minister of Long-Term Care, Dr. Merrilee Fullerton; Director of Public Policy for Advantage Ontario, Lynette Katsivo.
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