Work is underway at Bonnechere Manor in Renfrew and Miramichi Lodge in Pembroke to implement the Butterfly Model of care for dementia patients. County of Renfrew Director of Long-Term Care, Shelley Sheedy, says work includes adding vinyl coverings on resident doors and camouflaging any locked doors like one’s going to the medication room.
Other plans include painting the hallways with bright colours and adding memory boxes with objects that bring back happy memories. The Director of Long-Term Care says they are also working to transform the dementia units into smaller households with a neighbourhood feel.
Sheedy says they are working to create separate dining rooms at both Bonnechere Manor and Miramichi Lodge so residents aren’t eating in such large groups. She adds they’ve applied for a grant to add a sky view ceiling in the tub room.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Butterfly Approach training for management and staff has been postponed, but fundraising efforts are still underway. You can purchase a hand crafted glass butterfly made by a local artist that will be place in one of the butterfly gardens outside each dementia unit which will soon be Butterfly Homes.
Sheedy thanks the health committee and county council who have been supportive Butterfly Approach. This model of care launched last year with the Minister of Long-Term Care in Ontario attending Miramichi Lodge in Pembroke for the announcement.
For more information or to choose your butterfly for the garden at either home, please contact Lainy McIntyre at 613-432-4873 ext. 1252. You can get more details about the Butterfly Model of Care online here.
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