The Yee Hong CCC is at the first Dawning (PDF) stage of the culture change process. Using a modified Appreciative Inquiry approach developed by the Partnerships in Dementia Care (PiDC) Alliance, the group is working to lay the foundation for change. Yee Hong's CCC has a number of new members, many of whom work in different floors and departments and, as in Long Term Care (LTC )facilities everywhere, do not get a chance to interact with one another as often as they might like. This means, as we move through the process, that we make efforts every time we meet to get to know one another, to feel safe and comfortable with one another.
To that end, at the November meeting, we worked on several exercises to establish safety and trust. The culture change process asks people to think boldly, outside of the bounds of 'regular' administrative or 'problem solving' and to be brave in working for change and imagining the future. This is why establishing trust and safety is critical at this and all of our CCC sites.
At the meeting, the team worked with a 'talking stick' to discuss ideas and experiences around safety and cooperation.. The group reported that
a) the exercise was important because it allowed everyone a chance to share, feel closer to one another and;
b) the exercise re-affirmed everyone's listening skills and;
c) the exercise helped to celebrate the strong ethic of teamwork that already exists at Yee Hong.
The group is looking forward to the December meeting which will include a holiday celebration.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
In mid-November, the CCC at the Markham Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric care met and, as usual shared a meal together. Yee Hong serves a primarily Chinese and South Asian clientele, and works hard to ensure that cultural values, such as celebration and sharing food, are reflected in their own culture change practice.