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Developed by the Canadian Nurses Association and the Registered Nurses’ Association of OntarioAdapted for use by [name of PEACE site]

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MODULE 5: HEALTHY

WORK ENVIRONMENTS

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• Two-year national project between Canadian Nurses Association and the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario from April 2010

– March 2012

• A series of education sessions implemented in 10 PEACE Sites across Canada

• Topics included are recognizing elder abuse; when and how to report elder abuse; how to intervene; and what you can do to

prevent elder abuse

• Resources and materials on NurseONE

Promoting Awareness of Elder Abuse in Long-Term Care

ObjectivesBy the end of this module, the learner will be able to:1. Define healthy work environment2. State three factors that contribute to abuse within

long term care3. Explain the relevance of a healthy work environment

to elder abuse4. Explain how a healthy work environment may be

improved within your own long-term care setting

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Definition

Practice settings that maximize the health and well-being of all staff, quality resident

outcomes, organizational performance and societal outcomes

RNAO, Healthy Work Environment Best Practice Guidelines Program5

How would you describe a healthy work environment?

Why Promote a Healthy Work Environment?

Results in improvement in:• Quality of care provided to Residents• Quality of work environment and Resident

outcomes• Staff satisfaction and retention

A healthy workplace can promote an abuse free environment!

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Features of a healthy work environment are:

• Manageable work load• Flexibility of schedules• Availability of continuing education• Freedom to make independent decisions• Interprofessional team work is supported• Positive relationships with colleagues• Effective communication among team and throughout

organization

Features of a healthy work environment:• Participation in decision making at unit and

organizational levels• A Resident/person centered culture is nurtured • Occupational and health safety policies exist • Appreciation of cultural diversity• Processes in place to address ethical concerns

Work Environment Factors Which May Contribute to Abuse:

• Nature of policies• Nature of staff training• Staffing levels• Work-related stress• Types of residents in our care

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Factors in the long term care work environment that may contribute to elder abuse

• Increased complexity of resident care needs• Increased percentage of individuals with dementia and responsive

behaviors• Limited education in managing behaviors related to

dementia• Attempts to “control” responsive behaviors get out of hand • Task focused care versus person centered care• Limited resources

• At [your home]• Within [your organization]• Regionally/provincially

What has been done in our organization to improve the work environment?

Factors in the long term care work environment that may contribute to elder abuse• Increased complexity of resident care needs

• Increased percentage of individuals with dementia and responsive behaviors

• Limited education in managing behaviors related to dementia

• Attempts to “control” responsive behaviors get out of hand • Task focused care versus person centered care• Limited resources

What can you do to create a healthy work environment?

Teamwork:• Mutual respect• Trust• Openness• Communication• Cooperation

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What can you do to create a healthy work environment?

Professionalism:• Refer to educational resources• Share your ideas• Think about your strengths and areas for

improvement• Provide your input into decisions• Get involved

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What can you do to create a healthy work environment?

Diversity:• Be open minded and respectful of all

colleagues• Be co-operative with one another• Refuse to participate in discrimination,

harassment, gossiping and bullying

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How do you see the Healthy Work Environment being improved in your

long-term care setting?

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[Optional Excercise]

Write down one thing that you will change or do differently as a result of attending the PEACE Prevention of Elder Abuse education sessions?

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Taking care of each other and the

Resident’s Home that we work in is

critical because we are the caretakers of Residents in LTC!

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Key Points

Questions?

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Resources

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Thank you for participating in the educational curriculum for this

national initiative.