BE A LEARNING AND TEACHING ORGANIZATION:

Curiosity and a commitment to continuous quality improvement

RESEARCH 2022/2023

Developing and testing a resident-centred rehabilitation program for long-term care residents with dementia. PI – Dr. Caitlin McArthur

Many residents in long-term care live with dementia, affecting their quality of life and increasing their risk for negative outcomes like impaired mobility, falls, and fractures. Rehabilitation can improve quality of life and mobility and prevent falls and fractures. Residents with dementia are less likely to receive rehabilitation than those without and are often excluded from rehabilitation studies in long-term care.

The purpose of our study is to identify the goals of rehabilitation and the meaning of quality of life and function in relation to rehabilitation for long-term care residents with dementia. The findings will inform us on the development of a resident-centred rehabilitation program designed for residents with dementia. The second objective is to identify barriers and facilitators of adequate nutrition intake through the lens of residents with moderate to severe dementia, their family members, and care. It is important to include all players involved in nutrition.

ACTing Collectively to map and address the needs of community-living older adults in Nova Scotia. PA – Dr. Grace Warner and Dr. Tanya Packer

Community-level data is needed to evaluate and monitor the health and wellbeing of aging adults and the communities in which they live.

The ACTing Collectively research project will pilot an innovative approach to gathering data on the needs of, and available resources for, community-living older adults to age well in communities. The Age Care Technology (ACTTM) is a set of integrated tools used to: 1) assess the needs of older adults and provide them with an individualized report linked to a list of related community resources, 2) aggregate individualized reports into customized community-level reports that can be used by policy makers and planners to identify common concerns and local resources important to aging well, and

3) connect to a global database that tracks intervention outcomes and trajectories in aging adults’ wellbeing, independence, social connection and health in other locations.

The overall objective is to assess the usefulness and feasibility of implementing the ACT™.

Dysphagia and Oral Health Concerns in Long-Term Care. PI – Dr. Rebecca Affoo

Texture-modified diets are foods and liquids that have been prepared to be a specific texture or consistency, and are prescribed to residents to manage concerning oral health conditions and swallowing impairments. Given that texture-modified diets are associated with malnutrition, dehydration, and reduced quality of life, over-use of texture modified diets is a concern warranting closer scrutiny. The results of our work suggests that front-line LTC staff may have limited knowledge of swallowing disorders. Staff are reporting concerns related to oral health and swallowing impairments when identified, however, assessment of these concerns appear to be rare.