RN a champion at providing meaningful supports

Ethel Britton cites Supportive Measures training, empathy as key tools in enhancing life quality

September 4, 2012 -- Deron Hamel

When a Woodland Villa resident affected by cognitive impairment becomes agitated, registered nurse (RN) Ethel Britton knows just what to do: invite the lady to go with her to A&W.

The approach is seemingly simple, but every time she uses it the resident’s agitation goes away and she’s happy.

“She will be happy for the rest of the day,” Britton, who has worked at the home nine years, tells the OMNIway.

There’s another resident who enjoys hymns, and whenever there’s a local hymn recital, Britton will buy tickets and accompany the resident to the show — even on her days off.

Britton adds that a little empathy goes a long way when it comes to creating effective and meaningful supports  — after all, she says, if she were living in a long-term care home she would want to be treated the same way.

“Someday I might be living here (at Woodland Villa) and I would want someone to take the time for me,” she says.

It’s individualized supports like this that make Britton a champion at enhancing quality of life for residents at the Long Sault long-term care home, says life enrichment co-ordinator Lisa Doran.

“Ethel is very caring when it comes to residents; when Ethel is here, everyone is so excited,” says Doran.

“She’s just a great, great worker.”

Britton says OMNI Health Care’s Supportive Measures course, which is largely about showing compassion, understanding and putting one’s self into other people’s positions, has helped her create successful individualized supports.

For Britton, supporting residents in these ways is part and parcel of why she works in long-term care.

“It makes me feel good that I’m helping someone, but I really don’t think about it; it’s just something that I do,” she says.

“I absolutely love the residents.”

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