This workshop will remove the veil of secrecy over situations of abuse of older adults or vulnerable persons that are brought to the attention of the user committees, several members of which also sit on the residents’ committee; as well as the way in which these committees respond to situations of mistreatment; their role and their limitations. Through research results and experience-sharing in the area of advocacy on behalf of users, we will highlight the contribution of user committees in the fight against abuse of seniors and vulnerable persons in Quebec’s health and social service facilities.

More specifically, this workshop will provide participants with a better understanding of:

• the nature and causes of abuse situations brought to the attention of the user committees, the majority of which occur in long-term care facilities.
• the characteristics of abused and abusive individuals and the power dynamics between them
• the actions implemented by the committees to deal with, prevent or rectify these situations of abuse
• the impact of the committee, the needs and expectations that are taken into account or met addressed by the facility
• the factors that support or curtail the user committees’ efforts to deal with situations of abuse and their autonomy
• the sources of authority to which the committees have access within the facilities, the level of engagement needed to respond to situations of abuse and bring about change (terms of reference, legislation and rights related to users, regarding health care and with respect to vulnerable individuals)
• how to act on practical recommendations for helping the committee step up its advocacy efforts on behalf of users and, by doing so, improve prevention and eradication of abuse in the health and social service network.
• what institutional, legal and community resources are offered in support of this advocacy effort

Any person living in a long-term care facility needs a person, free from any conflict of interest, to represent them and advocate for their dignity and right to proper treatment. In many cases, a family member or trusted friend is assigned this role. To become a better advocate, this individual needs to understand user rights in long-term care accommodations and how to apply and exercise them on a daily basis. In this workshop, you will learn what an advocate is and does and why it is important today to speak out on behalf of an institutionalized individual. As an informed advocate, you will also learn to identify and report the warning signs in care settings, including abuse and the more personal aspects of care. In doing so, you will be involved in reducing, if not eradicating, situations of abuse and neglect while proactively promoting proper treatment.

Through practical exercises, after this workshop, you will be able to:

• Understand the concept of proactive advocacy
• Understand its principles of response
• Identify the rights and responsibilities of residents
• Recognize situations of abuse and neglect in a long-term care setting
• Instill a sense of responsibility in each and every one to report and respond when situations of abuse and neglect are suspected
• Develop a tool box for improved response with the authorities involved
• Identify the steps needed to lodge a complaint, either formal or informal, in order to prevent or rectify a situation of abuse or neglect
• Identify strategies for addressing known barriers when lodging a complaint
• Apply your knowledge of the rights of users to improve their quality of life in a long-term care setting

Person-centered care is the term used to describe the approach used in many long-term care settings…but is it? What does it really mean and is it truly being practiced? Either way, can it work, be successful and have its benefits for residents? How can gaps be identified and improvements in daily care practices be made? With the goal of creating interpersonal partnerships between care staff, people with dementia and their family members, implementing person-centered care plans needs to be holistic, individualized and flexible in nature and engage players in promoting the needs and the rights of the individual resident.

The workshop will use interactive exercises and case discussion in order for participants to be able to:

• identify the concept of person centered care,
• recognize the team players and their roles within the care plan,
• identify where gaps may be in the approach to meeting needs,
• promote and encourage advocacy of dignified residential treatment,
• understand and be able to advocate for the right for residents to be treated with dignity,
• identify and use interventions and techniques to meet individualized needs, and
• develop a “toolkit” of the various components required by family caregivers and staff in order to promote effective individualized care.

Since 1998, the law authorizes under certain conditions the use of force, isolation, mechanical or chemicals means to prevent a person from inflicting harm upon himself or others. In 2002, the Ministry of Health adopted its orientations regarding the application of such measures. However, concerns are being raised with their use in long term care institutions. Are these restraints adapted and respectful of the needs of residents in long term care facilities, and respectful of the best practices? What improvements should be made? What initiatives and pilot projects have succeeded in avoiding the use of physical or chemical restraints in long term care institutions? For many, alternatives must be found in order to respect residents’ rights.

In this workshop, we will take a closer look at what comprises physical and chemical restraints in dementia care, how to recognize when they are being used and what are the potential risks and side effects of their use. By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

• Identify the different types of physical and chemical restraints
• Understand their supportive legal background and why they are being used
• Understand the importance of the right to enlightened / informed consent in such a context
• Identify the known consequences and the risks attached to the use of chemical restraints
• Understand some of the alternatives to physical and chemical restraints
• Understand the necessity for implication of residents and their family members to prevent inappropriate use of physical and chemical restraints