The Special Care Unit at Renfrew Care Centre

Professional Environment Assessment Protocol

Therapeutic Environment Screening Scale (TESS) Many windows and wide windows giving residents many views to outside and other key spaces like courtyard, allow sunlight and when opened, for fresh air. Many windows and wide windows giving residents many views to outside and other key spaces like courtyard, allow sunlight and when opened, for fresh air. The unit is a round track design to cut down on dead ends and generally one way so, resident sees where he/she is going. The unit is a round track design to cut down on dead ends and generally one way so, resident sees where he/she is going. Kept reasonably clean, no odors, and no obstacles impairing safety. Kept reasonably clean, no odors, and no obstacles impairing safety. Main activity/dining room seats 100% of residents while smaller one can seat 50%. Main activity/dining room seats 100% of residents while smaller one can seat 50%.

TESS continued... There is a real effort by Renfrew to create “residential” home-like atmosphere through furniture, decorations and other features like a selected kitchen. There is a real effort by Renfrew to create “residential” home-like atmosphere through furniture, decorations and other features like a selected kitchen. There are lots of cues and not a lot of noise. There are lots of cues and not a lot of noise. And there is just enough tactile stimulation in fake plants, dolls, plush animals, stereos, props. And there is just enough tactile stimulation in fake plants, dolls, plush animals, stereos, props. Renfrew’s SCU generally scored high subjective ratings regarding aspects of overall unit atmosphere, ranging from 7 to 10’s. Renfrew’s SCU generally scored high subjective ratings regarding aspects of overall unit atmosphere, ranging from 7 to 10’s.

FLOOR PLAN

ANNOTATED FLOORPLAN

ANNOTATED FLOOR PLAN CONT…

COMMENTS ON FLOORPLAN This space is used for all major activities and also for dinning. This space is used for all major activities and also for dinning. When it sunny residents prefer to go to the smaller lounge when the sun shines in. When it sunny residents prefer to go to the smaller lounge when the sun shines in. Everyone that uses the space has their own favorite seat and for dinner/lunch/breakfast seating is assigned. Everyone that uses the space has their own favorite seat and for dinner/lunch/breakfast seating is assigned.

LEVELS OF SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE MORNING

LEVELS OF SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE AFTERNOON

LEVELS OF SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT IN LATE AFTERNOON/ EVENING

Levels of Social Engagement Discussion The percentage of social activity among volunteers can be misleading. At the most there were only five visitors during one period of the day. The percentage of social activity among volunteers can be misleading. At the most there were only five visitors during one period of the day. Nurses and care aids varied in number during the day. There were more workers in the late afternoon than at any other time. Nurses and care aids varied in number during the day. There were more workers in the late afternoon than at any other time.

Photographs

Qualitative Impressions Environmental Ambience Although the environment is kept very clean and tidy there is no trace of menacing cleaning odours in the air. Although the environment is kept very clean and tidy there is no trace of menacing cleaning odours in the air. The walls are decorated with still photos and some children ’ s drawings. The walls are decorated with still photos and some children ’ s drawings. The access to the outdoor spaces and a safe place to smoke is a great physical characteristic of the centre. The access to the outdoor spaces and a safe place to smoke is a great physical characteristic of the centre. No background noise present. (except television and elevator). No background noise present. (except television and elevator).

Qualitative Impressions Cont. Environmental Ambiance Small activity space is clinical looking and there are not many residential cues. Small activity space is clinical looking and there are not many residential cues. The main activity area is visually connected to two hallways and the nurses’ station. The main activity area is visually connected to two hallways and the nurses’ station. There are only three double rooms. Every other room is private and every room has its own bathroom. There are only three double rooms. Every other room is private and every room has its own bathroom. Lighting is inadequate in transitory places. Abundant sunshine is present but not adequately filtered. Lighting is inadequate in transitory places. Abundant sunshine is present but not adequately filtered.

Social Ambience Renfrew Care centre reflects the cultural diversity of the area. There are many languages spoken including Italian, Cantonese, and Hindi just to name a few. Renfrew Care centre reflects the cultural diversity of the area. There are many languages spoken including Italian, Cantonese, and Hindi just to name a few. The staff accommodates this diversity by learning key terms and also there are many bilingual staff members. The staff accommodates this diversity by learning key terms and also there are many bilingual staff members. Games played do not require a person to speak English fluently; games like Bingo. Games played do not require a person to speak English fluently; games like Bingo.

Social Ambiance Cont. Provide a newsletter that has many positive functions like creating an inclusive environment for family participation. Provide a newsletter that has many positive functions like creating an inclusive environment for family participation. Residents are accustomed to sitting in particular places and there are designated seats for meals. Residents are accustomed to sitting in particular places and there are designated seats for meals. The staff is extremely friendly and competent. They always try to communicate with the residents and are very nice to visitors. The staff is extremely friendly and competent. They always try to communicate with the residents and are very nice to visitors. The presence of memory boxes is a quite positive environment. The presence of memory boxes is a quite positive environment.

Design Recommendations For cosmetic changes Renfrew Care Centre could consider the following: For cosmetic changes Renfrew Care Centre could consider the following: Introducing more residential style furniture. Introducing more residential style furniture. Changing paint colour to something a bit brighter and not as clinical. Changing paint colour to something a bit brighter and not as clinical. More contrast between colours of floor and walls. More contrast between colours of floor and walls. Window treatments to filter sunlight. Window treatments to filter sunlight. Creating more small group seating arrangements. Creating more small group seating arrangements.

Design Recommendation Cont. For more elaborate changes consider: For more elaborate changes consider: Reducing dead ends Reducing dead ends Change flooring to either darker no glare linoleum or to another finishing i.e.:carpeting Change flooring to either darker no glare linoleum or to another finishing i.e.:carpeting Creating a more open floorplan. Creating a more open floorplan. Using part of courtyard to extend activity area. This would provides spaces that could be used for small group discussions. Using part of courtyard to extend activity area. This would provides spaces that could be used for small group discussions. Creating more tactile surfaces on walls. Creating more tactile surfaces on walls. Using wider variety of materials for furniture. This would create more visual and tactile interest. Using wider variety of materials for furniture. This would create more visual and tactile interest.