CORNWALL, Ontario – Every Valentine’s Day, the Auxiliary to St. Joseph’s Continuing Care Centre, holds a Genie Wish Draw attracting submissions from all departments within the Centre. The funds for this annual event are raised by the sale of HELPP Lottery tickets. A special appreciation goes out to the many residents, volunteers, visitors and staff for buying tickets and to the volunteers for making this project possible. This year the Genie Award was presented to the Dietary Department, to help promote the BUTTERFLY PROJECT INITIATIVE for the purchase of colourful tableware for the residents of Quinn House.
The Butterfly Project is based on Dr. David Sheard’s research and Dementia Care Matters model, which puts the focus on shifting from task orientated work to person centered work, to ensure that residents living in a dementia unit feel comfortable and secure in a familiar home setting. When you walk through Quinn House, you will notice some changes including:
* vibrant paint colours
* interactive wall art
* staff wearing “everyday” clothing instead of scrubs
* more “family style” dining experience
Residents will soon benefit from lightweight, colourful, unbreakable melamine tableware. This particular product was selected due to studies showing that residents with dementia tend to eat more on coloured plates. Plus, the colours will provide contrast for those with vision impairments. Accepting the award of $1,000 is Denise Brownell, Food Services Supervisor, with Tony Ingram, Director of Support Services, and Shirley Mallette-MacDonald, Genie Wish Convenor and organizer of the draw.
