Residents and Staff at Yee Hong work together at a Culture Change Coalition meeting.
The Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care Markham is a long-term care home which serves nearly 200 residents. Rooted in a deep reverence for older adults, the centre provides care for older adults of both Chinese and South Asian descent. Staff at Yee Hong emphasize culturally and linguistically appropriate care that supports healthy, independent, dignified living.
The Yee Hong Culture Change Coaliton includes:
- front line staff members, including Personal Support Workers;
- nurses
- physiotherapists
- social workers
- residents
- family partners in care
- management
- researchers from McMaster University and the University of Waterloo
The staff, family, and residents at Yee Hong have taught the PiDC team that collaboration cannot occur without celebration. We make an effort to laugh, explore creativity, and celebrate successes at every meeting. Perhaps most importantly, we take time during every meeting to share a meal together (provided by the talented Yee Hong food services staff).
The Yee Hong Culture Change Coalition (CCC) is currently working through the Delivery phase of the Appreciative Inquiry.
If you live or work in the Markham region, we welcome you to join our Culture Change Coalition. For more information, contact Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care Markham.
How is Yee Hong Involved?
The Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care Markham is one of four research sites involved in this government funded million dollar, five-year research project called the Partnerships in Dementia Care (PiDC) Alliance. The project relies on the experiences and expertise of everyone involved in the care process, including individuals living with dementia, family members and staff. The goal of the study is to assess and make recommendation for shifts in care practices to support person and relationship-centered care. The study results will inform changes in the health care system.
Why Yee Hong?
Yee Hong was asked to participate in this innovative culture change methodology precisely because of the home's reputation for excellence. This process leads to progressive and cutting edge improvements in care quality. Yee Hong participates in order to continue to be leaders in care.
How is this different from other organizational change?
This process is different than many management led change processes in that it asks individuals to challenge themselves by ignoring traditional methods of problem solving. Instead, CCC members are asked to discover what is working well at Yee Hong already, and to strategize on how to extend that to other parts of the care process and organization. A key aspect of this phase is the building of trusting relationships and the nurturing of authentic partnerships.
The staff, family, and residents at Yee Hong have taught the PiDC Alliance team that collaboration cannot occur without celebration. We make an effort to laugh, explore creativity, and celebrate successes at every meeting. Perhaps most importantly, we take time during every meeting to share a meal together (provided by the talented Yee Hong food services staff).