The power of collaboration

OMNI demonstrates value of working with others to accomplish goals

September 14, 2012 -- Deron Hamel

OMNI Health Care long-term care homes are showing they value collaboration and the results that come with partnering with others to accomplish resident-centred objectives.

Collaboration has many faces at OMNI. Sometimes collaboration means partnering with another organization. Sometimes it comes in the form of working with other long-term care providers. In other cases collaboration is seen in the relationships homes have with families.

Riverview Manor recently hosted an information session on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that was sponsored by medical supplier Boehringer Ingelheim. The session saw Brenda Cunningham and Bruce Eyre, who are both living with COPD, speak to residents, staff members and the community about COPD, as part of a 12-city tour covering more than 6,000 kilometres in 32 days on a motorcycle as part of their Lungevity 2012 tour.

Given COPD's impact on the population - it affects about 4.8 per cent of women and 3.9 per cent of men, according to Statistics Canada - Riverview Manor wanted to play its part in helping spread the word about preventative measures and available treatments for those living with COPD.

Director of care Kaitlyn Cavanagh notes that wellness is important to OMNI's culture, and having Cunningham and Eyre speak to team members fits in well with the organization's dedication to employees.

"OMNI's mission, vision and values are certainly reflected here," she says.

The world's eyes were on London this summer, as the British capital hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics. Residents at Frost Manor were no exception, so the Lindsay long-term care home partnered with four other area homes to create their own version of the Summer Games with events customized to meet residents' needs.

Collaboration amongst Lindsay long-term care homes is nothing new, says life enrichment co-ordinator Vi O'Leary, adding the region's homes have been working together for years.

About 20 of Frost Manor's 62 residents competed in the event in August, and O'Leary says "all the residents from all the homes had a lovely time."

Another recent story illustrating the power of collaboration — in this case collaborating with family members — comes from Village Green. Resident Maude McLaughlin was unable to attend her granddaughter's wedding in August, so, working with her family members, the Greater Napanee long-term care home's staff brought the wedding to her, via Skype.

The resident's grandson, Gavin McLaughlin, and his girlfriend, Cady Moyer, came up with the idea to have the wedding shot on a webcam and broadcast on Skype for Maude to watch. They also set up the computer and Skype at the wedding.

OMNI IT manager Jeremy Stewart came to the Greater Napanee long-term care home ahead of the wedding to set up the activity room's computer with a webcam and Skype for Maude to watch.

The results of the collaboration speak for themselves.

"It was amazing," Maude says of the experience. "I would rather have been there, but since I am unable to go this was nice, as I was able to watch."

If you have feedback on this story, please call the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca.

Back to News