RESEARCH STUDY
Forgotten voices during the COVID 19 pandemic: Residents’ and unpaid caregivers’ lived experiences and solutions
HVD supported a powerful study led by Dr. Linda Furlini, called: “Exploring the Experiences of CHSLD (Long-Term Care Home) Residents and Their Informal Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic—and Their Solutions for Improving Quality of Life and Well-Being.”
The study gives a voice to CHSLD residents and the loved ones who supported them during the pandemic. These are voices we rarely hear—but they have important stories to tell and valuable ideas for how to improve life in long-term care, both now and in the future.
You can read a short summary of the study that explains the project and highlights key findings from residents and caregivers:
Take a moment to learn what they had to say—it’s time we listened.
Handicap Vie Dignité
Supporting CHSLD Residents
Following a government grant awarded by the New Horizons Program, the organization HANDICAP-VIE-DIGNITÉ (HVD) in partnership with John Abbott College and Vanier College, is currently implementing a project directed at long-term care facilities (CHSLDs) and vulnerable seniors.
The project:
. Reduce the isolation of vulnerable seniors
. Stimulate and support their interest in using digital Technology (IPad)
The approach:
. Create meaningful encounters between students in French classes and isolated seniors whether in public or private CHSLDs.
The objectives:
. Break seniors’ isolation and stimulate their interests in activities that will enhance their daily lives.
. Encourage seniors to open up to students during their encounters,
which are held in French according to college course requirements.
The tools:
. The use of IPAD, it will facilitate social media contact. The IPad will be a “window to the outside world”, through multiple possibilities: keeping in touch with loves ones, listening to the news, playing games, etc.
The project will run from September 2024 to May 2025.
Mireille’s Time:
A Story About Kindness
Handicap Vie Dignité (HVD) funded and helped create, in collaboration with the Théâtre Parminou, a play entitled “Mireille’s Time: A Story About Kindness”. Since 2024, this 50-minute play has been performed by the Théâtre Parminou troupe’s professional actors to various audiences: long-term care facility (CHSLD) residents, their families, staff, volunteers and community groups.
At the beginning of the play, a portrait is painted to illustrate some of the challenges residents face when living in a long-term care facility (CHSLD). Thereafter, it demonstrates how a respectful approach along with simple solutions can provide a nurturing and happier environment while improving the quality of life of Mireille, her family and the CHSLD staff. Then an interactive and informative discussion, led by a recognized HVD professional, follows.
Additionally, Handicap Vie Dignité can provide a video version of the play, “Mireille’s Time: A Story About Kindness” in either French or English. HVD professionals can train, raise awareness and sensitize the public or diverse organizations on the various topics illustrated in the video: user rights, elder abuse and the importance of showing compassion and a personalized approach to care, etc.
This powerful play, and its video version, that explores mistreatment versus everyday acts of kindness, in residential long-term care centres, has now been presented over 40 times across health networks and community settings. It has earned consistent praise from residents, staff, and partners for sparking meaningful dialogue:
This quote was posted on Facebook from a staff member from the CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS (Val-St-François):
« Merci pour votre passage à Windsor ! Les aînés du Val-St-François du CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS ont grandement apprécié. Et bravo pour l’animation de la période d’échange après la pièce, vous avez instauré un climat de confiance, d’ouverture et d’empowerment pour qu’ils puissent eux aussi faire la différence. »
English Translation:
“Thank you for your visit to Windsor! The seniors from the Val-St-François area of the CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS greatly appreciated it. And congratulations on facilitating the discussion period after the play—you created an atmosphere of trust, openness, and empowerment so that they, too, could make a difference.”
Interested in hosting a presentation? Contact us to learn more and book Mireille’s Time for your center, event or group: info@handicapviedignite.ca