This newsletter is designed to create connections across the Long-Term Care and Assisted Living sector at Vancouver Coastal Health. It is an opportunity to share best practices and innovations, celebrate successes and get to know what our colleagues are doing at VCH, and beyond, to bring to reality our vision of Living meaningfully in community with Dignity, Connection and Well-Being. We want to build our COMMUNITY, so please share this newsletter widely and send us your stories! | Home Profile: Minoru Residence Where Lively Moments and Tranquil Reflections Unite! by Charlene, resident currently living at Minoru 
When I first moved to Minoru – I thought of it as a meeting place. Minoru Residence is a care home located in Richmond that is home to 250 people. There were lots of people with different languages and different backgrounds, so I was just trying to fit in the best way I could. I did this by trying to meet as many people as I could. As I only speak English and French, I found it difficult to try and talk to other residents who did not speak either of those, but I took comfort in knowing that they were trying to communicate with me as I was with them. I love to learn the different names of people as I find them all so interesting. I was welcomed by my new doctor, and Marlene our spiritual health practitioner. Through the course of the months Marlene has really helped me on focusing on things to do here at Minoru. I find the friends that I have made do different activities and try to get me involved and I was able to join the choir here, started gardening, and joined the tone bells. There are many different games that I have tried such as bowling, bingo, and balloon volleyball (the fun stuff) that have made me feel more included and I have played the games with almost all residents here at minoru. People who I don’t even know say hi to me and know my name, and it makes me feel really good and feel that over time I will get to know them better. I am part of resident council and it has given me a chance to voice my opinion and share ideas and make a difference, I am looking forward to moving onward with any changes being made that will have a positive impact on the residents at Minoru. I would describe Minoru as a place to meet and greet different people who are coming and going. Overall my time at Minoru has been positive with some bumps along the way. There was a resident who was here that took me under her wing and she made sure that I was doing things and meeting new people – it was very comforting. She has since passed away, but I feel as if the two of us were sisters who knew everything about each other. I thought long-term care was just a hospital and very clinical, not a place where people were together doing activities or having fun and that is what Minoru is, a welcoming place. I am looking forward to the different seasons here so that I can help out and give my opinions on how to decorate as I am very creative and I love to do fundraising. | Meals and the mealtime experience are an important part of many if not all, cultures. At the most basic level, it is a time to nourish our bodies. Having food that we enjoy is important, but that is only one part of the whole experience. Mealtimes are also a time for connection. We may not always have control over the food that is served but by providing variety, choice, and paying attention to individuals in small ways, the mealtime experience, and therefore quality of life, can be enhanced. As highlighted in the story below, a small action such as providing a familiar utensil can go a long way in enhancing the mealtime experience and respecting the choices of residents. | Here at Minoru Residence the use of chopsticks holds immense significance for many residents at our cherished home. It evokes memories of childhood, family moments, and the rich tapestry of their upbringing. Understanding the deep sentimental value attached to this utensil, we set out to ensure that it finds its rightful place in the dining experiences of those who hold it dear. Guided by the expertise of our exceptional dietician, Shannon Chau, and in collaboration with Lindsay Fleet, our devoted Recreation Therapist, we embarked on a mission to make the use of chopsticks a reality for interested residents. Shannon and Lindsay worked hand in hand, sharing their passion for enriching the lives of our residents. In a serendipitous turn of events, Lindsay Fleet had a collection of unused chopsticks at home, eager to find a purpose. With excitement and joy, Lindsay brought them in, ready to create a transformative experience. Mrs. He and her love for chopsticks! Mrs. He, a resident at our home, expressed her preference for chopsticks over other utensils. She explained that she grew up using chopsticks, and they hold a special place in her heart. Her daughter even gifted her a pair of chopsticks, which made her happy to have the option to use them. Whenever Mrs. He goes out to eat at restaurants, she always chooses chopsticks. She believes in the importance of having choices, and chopsticks are her preferred choice. The residents' reactions were nothing short of pure delight. Their faces lit up with nostalgic joy as they grasped the familiar wooden handles, connecting them to memories of family, tradition, and the flavors of their heritage. With the support and dedication of our compassionate staff, we have been able to maintain this wonderful tradition, ensuring that our residents can savor their meals using the chopsticks that hold such profound meaning in their lives. |  Making room at the table
Mealtimes in long-term care homes are important for racialized residents’ well-being and help to keep them connected with their families who help at mealtimes. Visiting restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic prevented some families from providing mealtime care. Dr. Sarah Wu, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of British Columbia School of Nursing, conducts a research study at one VCH home to understand the mealtime experience of Chinese-Canadian residents living with dementia and their families by interviewing and observing them at mealtimes. Understanding staff perspectives is another component of this study. It is expected that this research will provide useful information to improve mealtimes for Chinese-Canadian residents and their families in long-term care. If you would like to hear more about this research study, please get in touch with Dr. Wu at sarah.wu@ubc.ca. |  Resource | CHOICE+ Program
CHOICE+ is an innovative program that aims to improve the mealtime experience for residents in long-term care. The program focuses on nurturing relationships and creating comfortable dining environments. CHOICE+ is made up of six principles: Connection, Honouring Dignity, Offering Support, Identifying, Creating Opportunities, and Enjoyment. You can learn more about this program at the website, which includes education modules, checklists, and webinars. https://clri-ltc.ca/resource/choice-program/ You can also follow CHOICE+ on Instagram for educational content on dining in LTC homes: https://www.instagram.com/choice.ria/ | .png) Research| Enhancing the Dining Experience for Long-Term Care (LTC) Residents
"Mealtimes are a mainstay of life in a care home through which residents’ experiences are characterized, exemplified and magnified. Understanding how residents interact with one another, accommodating their preferences, and encouraging autonomy may enhance their mealtime experiences. It may also help to ease the transition from independent-living to life in care, which can be particularly stressful for some residents, and improve health and well-being over the long-term." The study described in this article focuses on understanding residents' experiences during mealtimes in care homes and how these experiences impact their overall health and well-being. Conducted in four care homes in the South West UK, the research utilized semi-structured interviews and researcher observations to gather insights. The study identified three key themes that influenced residents' dining experiences: - Emotional and psychological connections with other residents
- Managing competing interests with limited resources
- The importance of familiarity and routine
The findings emphasize the significance of social interactions, individual preferences, and a supportive dining environment in enhancing residents' mealtime experiences. By addressing these factors, care homes can ease the transition from independent living to care and improve long-term health and well-being outcomes for residents https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5506571/ | | | | |
had difficulty scooping food into their mouths. Food consumption was measured before and after these interventions and showed a reduction in food wastage. More importantly, it allowed feedback from residents and staff about how to improve the food experience. This QI project was interrupted by COVID-19 but resumed with another PDSA of vegetarian meal options later this May. The change will be slow, but with the repatriation of food services staff back into the hospital system, there is renewed interest in improving the food experience for LTC residents since food is good medicine for the body and the soul! 
