Culture change is the newest phenomena sweeping continuing care, and the preferred manner of care at Brookside.
Culture change is a paradigm-shifting method of care in which everything centers around resident's choices.
Residents decide when to go to rest, when to rise in their day, to eat their meals, which activities they would like to do during the day, etc.
We find giving residents more choices is very empowering and goes a long way in giving residents a sense of independence and autonomy.
At Brookside, we have created three different neighborhoods, all named by our residents: Cottonwood Lane, Evergreen Plaza and Lilac Lane.
Cottonwood Lane has its own individual kitchen and dining room. Each of the three neighborhoods have a new state-of-the-art bath and spa. Lilac Lane and Evergreen Plaza look to have addiional physical transformations in the future.
Another transformation of culture change is the role of the universal worker. Our dietary aides, activities workers, CNAs, CMAs, housekeepers and all other staff find ways to help one another and support one another even if the task before them does not fit their specific job description. One might often find a CNA leading Movers & Shakers (a dynamic daily exercise activity) or it is not unusual to see one of our Support Team staff members sweeping or mopping up after mealtimes or special events. This reliance on the universal worker role creates a greater sense of collective ownership and a team-focused culture, where the needs of the residents are attended to by all the staff members of the neighborhood.
In discussing ways in which culture change has improved the atmosphere at Brookside Retirement Community, staff members talk about the benefit of working closely with the residents in one neighborhood. Staff members get extra time to know and understand the preferences and choices of each resident. Each neighborhood holds Resident Councils to build a sense of unity and autonomy. It is with great eagerness and excitement that we look forward to the upcoming changes that will allow us to broaden the scope of culture change at Brookside.
