RENFREW COUNTY — The Bonnechere Manor Foundation is pleased to advise that their fundraising goal for the upcoming Gala is to contribute funds to implement the “Butterfly Model of Care”. The Butterfly Model of Care was founded by Dr. David Sheard in 1995. It starts with a one year culture change person-centered program known as a Butterfly Project led by a Dementia Care Matters Project Consultant and includes an audit to evaluate the current lived experience of people with dementia on the dementia care units; a comprehensive report and action plan including support, coaching and training of frontline staff to transition to the Butterfly Model; as well as a post assessment with opportunity to become an accredited Butterfly home.
For residents, while dementia is a disease of progressive decline, moments of meaningful engagement can greatly enhance their quality of life. For family members, staff and volunteers, these meaningful emotional connections can also have a profound impact.
Don Goulet, Chair of the Bonnechere Manor Foundation notes that while the Home has implemented various components of leading practices In dementia care such as the activity rooms, the Butterfly model “is a complete concept that includes significant environmental changes such as smaller more home-like ‘neighbourhoods’ versus units. At the Manor, this would mean converting a Pinnacle dementia unit where currently 20 residents reside into two (2) smaller neighbourhoods of 10 and 10 residents. Other environmental changes will include redesigning the dementia unit to be more welcoming and intimate, and filling the household with the ‘stuff of life’ so that residents can connect with a variety of colours, textures and objects that reflect their past lives, work and hobbies”.
Shelley Sheedy, Director of Long-Term Care adds that Butterfly Care homes now exist in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia and United States. The Region of Peel is the first long-term care provider in Ontario to create a Butterfly home. They have created a place that improves the well-being of the people living with dementia using innovative, person-centered approaches to meet their complex needs. Their Home is now a place of engagement, interaction, family and comfort. This has allowed them to reduce the use of antipsychotic medications, increase social engagement, reduce falls and improve staff satisfaction. As a result of this success, the Peel Regional Council has approved the creation of Butterfly homes in the region’s other long-term care centers. Other Ontario long-term care homes that are investing in this model include the City of Toronto Homes, Sunnyside in the Region of Waterloo and the Glebe Centre in Ottawa.
How can you help the Manor enhance their dementia care program? Claire Ullrich, Fundraising Coordinator, invites you to the 3rd annual Bonnechere Manor Fundraising Gala on October 5th. This year’s theme is “A Night at the Oscars” featuring a red carpet and champagne reception, live entertainment by the Ghost Town Cryers, a four-course meal, silent auction, door prizes, and much more. Tickets are on sale now at the early bird price of $115 each (with a $60 tax receipt), and can be purchased at the Bonnechere Manor front reception, or online through Eventbrite.
Ms. Ullrich urges the Renfrew and area community to “join us for this unforgettable night out while supporting our Home and its residents” and notes that there are many sponsorship opportunities available as well.
In addition, the Foundation has teamed up with Marlin Travel to offer a chance to win a $5,000 travel voucher to be used for ANY destination or cruise. Tickets are just ten dollars, and can be purchased at the Manor’s front reception, Aikenhead’s Pharmacy, or Marlin Travel in Renfrew. The draw will be held in January 2020. For more information on either of these fundraising activities, contact Claire Ullrich at 613-432-4873 ext 1252 or by email [email protected].
Bonnechere Manor, a highly regarded long-term care home in Renfrew, Ontario, is a not-for-profit owned and operated by the County of Renfrew and City of Pembroke. Since 1958, a wide-range of quality long-term programs and services including 24 hour nursing care, accommodation, meals, as well as physiotherapy programs and a variety of social and recreational activities have been provided to the 18o residents that call the Manor ‘home’. Bonnechere Manor also offers a variety of community services such as respite care, an adult day program in Cobden and Renfrew, and a Parkinson’s support group. Bonnechere Manor holds accreditation with Accreditation Canada which provides the Home with the opportunity to benchmark their programs and services to national standards and assists in continuous quality improvements.
