RACE FOR HEALTH & INTERNATIONAL GRANFONDO - Page 2 Memorial Service Foundations Support Honours Loved Hospitals’ Equipment Ones Needs Page 3 Page 8 A Publication of Bluewater Health Foundation Volume 16 Issue 2 Summer, 2016 HELP is available at Bluewater Health Volunteer Cory Soininen (left) helps Richard Graham stay abreast of the daily news. Being in a new place can be discon- A new program now available at The program was introduced on the interaction with patients makes the one-on-one discussion; exercise or certing. Add an injury or illness and Bluewater Health is helping older Medicine and Telemetry inpatient program unique and appealing to a mobility where a volunteer acts as make that new place a hospital, and adults return to their homes or pre- units in Sarnia, where many elderly broad range of volunteers, thereby a “cheerleader;” helping with tray the experience can become a pivotal vious living situations after being patients fitting the criteria are admit- strengthening the hospital’s link to set-up at meals and encouraging life event – especially for some old- hospitalized, with the same or better fluid intake; and hearing and vision ted, with program expansion planned the community.” The program also er patients. During a hospital stay, ability to function. Based on research first for the Surgical unit and Emergen- adaptations. In addition to reducing has indirect benefits – because these older patients with visual or hear- from the Yale University School of cy Department. HELP has been shown the incidence of delirium by 34 per patients’ non-clinical needs are be- ing deficits, mobility or cognitive Medicine, the Hospital Elder Life to be effective in preventing delirium, cent in trials, this program has been ing met by volunteers and the ELS, challenges, or dehydration or poor Program (HELP) seeks to prevent as well as cognitive and functional de- shown to improve consistency and it means reduced interruptions for nutrition are more prone to develop delirium and complications in older cline. The HELP model also helps pa- quality of care and patient safety, and sudden confusion, fluctuations in and demands on unit staff, and the is expected to contribute to enhanc- patients through early intervention. tients avoid falls, pressure sores, and mental status, disorganized think- ing our senior-friendly environment other issues sometimes experienced reduced rate of delirium and related ing or inattention (all of which are at Bluewater Health. “Coming to the during hospitalization. complications increase quality and symptoms of delirium). “HELP reduces falls, mental and hospital can be Essential to HELP is the involve- confidence. Responding to the needs of an ag- functional decline, and unplanned ment of specially-trained volunteers ing population is a significant focus overwhelming and hospital readmissions,” adds who interact directly with the Elder “Personal attention facing our health system, since se- this helps keep some McGregor. “Personal attention and Life Specialist (ELS) and four to six and support are niors account for 63 per cent of all normal routines.” support are caring services valued HELP patients per “shift,” to carry out acute inpatient days in Ontario. Of caring services by patients and their families, lead- structured activities specific to each those, approximately 15 to 22 per This innovative model of care aims valued by patients ing to better patient outcomes and cent will develop delirium symptoms to help those more than 70 years old patient. All volunteer and patient ac- and their families, satisfaction. HELP also provides a tivities are documented and reviewed during their stay. whose length of hospital stay will leading to better constructive, concrete experience to daily by the ELS who also obtains Bluewater Health is committed to be greater than two days. Screening patient outcomes and prepare families, communities, and meeting the healthcare needs of all these patients is expected to result in input from an interprofessional care our healthcare system for our aging satisfaction.” patients, by reducing wait times, about half meeting the conditions to team. Volunteers are required to un- society.” providing access to more specialists, participate in the program. For those, dertake extensive training and educa- “Coming to the hospital can be There are five themes in HELP – all and enhancing patient safety. Its staff skilled staff and trained volunteers tion prior to interacting with patients. overwhelming and this helps keep looks for innovative ways to meet will carry out activities (orientation, “HELP creates a valuable experi- directed to reducing delirium risks some normal routines,” says Rich- the varying needs of different patient therapeutic activities, early mobili- ence for patients and volunteers,” – related to: orientation activities; ard Graham. “This is something that groups, and effective interventions to zation, vision and hearing protocols) says Jody McGregor, Elder Life Spe- therapeutic activities such as read- is needed,” adds his son, Kevin. “It’s support healthy aging. targeted at delirium risk factors. cialist, Bluewater Health. “Increased ing a newspaper, playing cards or been excellent for my father.” Bridging My Promise Excellence to Emily Recipients Page 6 Announced Page 7 Volume 16 Issue 2 PAGE 2 Summer, 2016 Upcoming Events RACE FOR HEALTH Foundation Events July 31: Bluewater International Grandfondo (see story this page) TO IMPROVE August 26: For the Cure golf tournament September 11: Race for Health (see story this page) COMMUNITY’S HEALTH September 21: Bluewater Health Foundation Physician Appreciation Day and Patient Choice Awards AND YOUR OWN October 13: Bluewater Health Foundation Gala Bluewater Health Foundation and “In-Motion has a long and gen- For further information, please contact Johanne at (519) 464-4405 or erous relationship with the Sar- [email protected]. Platinum Sponsor, In-Motion, are thrilled to announce the return of nia-Lambton community,” adds Bluewater Health Board of Directors Meetings Alexander. “Their focus on health June 22 3:30 pm followed by the Annual General Meeting at 5:00 pm Race for Health. This year’s race and wellness makes for a wonderful For location, meeting details and other hospital events please visit the events will take place Sunday, September partnership. We are grateful to them calendar on Bluewater Health’s website, www.bluewaterhealth.ca. 11 and features a kids’ fun run, 5km for their commitment and title spon- and 10km walk/run, and ½-mar- Health Watch sorship of Race for Health.” June: Stroke Month and Seniors’ Month athon run. Take a foot tour of our Participants can register online at August 1 to 7: World Breastfeeding Week beautiful city by registering in one raceroster.com/5048. Registration September: Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Men’s Cancer Health of these six race options to raise is $50 per entry until August 1. Af- Awareness Month funds to purchase cardiac equip- ter August 1, the fee will increase to September 10: World Suicide Prevention Day ment for our community hospital, $60. Participants can also reach out September 19 to 25: Prostate Cancer Awareness Week October 1: National Seniors Day Celebration Bluewater Health. to friends and family through the on- “By participating in this event, you line fundraising tool to raise pledges can make a difference in the health in support of cardiac equipment for Speaker Series of our community, while at the same Bluewater Health. Children may en- time enriching your own by explor- ter the fun run for free and do not Features Healthy need to register. Children who run ing our community on one of many soring the event. “At In Motion, our will receive a ribbon. courses that will take you on a sce- Eating passion is helping our clients live Distances are chip-timed by Enfield nic city tour through the very streets active lives. Bluewater Health Foun- Timing and race participants will re- we live on,” says Kathy Alexander, dation’s Race for Health provides a ceive a shirt and medal. Executive Director, Bluewater Health perfect opportunity for In Motion to For information about sponsor- Foundation. align our brand and values with a ship opportunities, or to register According to Drs. Brendan Carney great community event that will ben- offline please contact Johanne Kilian and Luke Winegard, that ex- efit cardiac care and get local resi- Tomkins at (519) 464-4405 or plains their commitment to spon- dents in motion.” [email protected]. BLUEWATER Bluewater Health Foundation continued its Speaker Series in May, allowing donors to meet Bluewater Health executives, and to hear about a health topic. INTERNATIONAL Shaylin Kemmerling (right), Manager, Diabetes, Clinical Nutrition and Food Services shared tips for maintaining healthy eating habits as we age, to pre- GRANFONDO ROLLS IN vent loss of muscle tissue. Important Information About Your Care If you’re coming to the hospital for a planned appointment or unexpect- edly arriving for emergency care, you may have questions about what to expect during your stay with us. Our Patient and Family Guide will help put you more at ease during your hospital experience. The guide provides helpful information like patient rights and responsibilities, Mike Lapaine, President and CEO, Bluewater Health (left) and Dr. Glen Maddison, Medical Director, St. Joseph’s Hospice are excited infection control tips, safety mea- to participate in the Bluewater International Granfondo. sures, mealtimes, hospital and local On July 31, an exciting new Gran- A non-traditional timing structure, amenities, and contact information. fondo will welcome cyclists from which times specific sections as Please pick up your Patient and across the province and beyond to opposed to the entire course, aims Family Guide at any high-traffic location throughout the hospitals in Petrolia Lambton County. The Bluewater In- to alleviate mass-start anxiety and and Sarnia, or view it on our website at www.bluewaterhealth.ca/en/patient- ternational Granfondo includes 50, allow riders of all routes to be able familyguide.