Oyen Long Term Care adopts the White Rose Program
At a Family Resident Council meeting, some residents voiced a need for a more consistent and compassionate approach to end-of-life and bereavement in Long-Term Care. Staff echoed this sentiment. From this insightful request, the White Rose Program, originally developed in the Calgary zone, was adapted to fit the needs of this site.
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The following gives a program overview.
When a resident is at the end of life, a White Rose poster is placed at the entrance to their room. This visual reminder increases staff and family awareness and fosters a calm, quiet, and compassionate environment. For visitors, a cart containing items such as a device to play music, coffee, tea, and cookies is brought to the room.
Once a resident passes away, their bed is respectfully covered in white bedding where a faux white rose wreath is placed, as well as a white rose memorial sign at the entrance to their room. At the dining table, a bouquet of faux white roses and a memorial place mat honour their spot. To establish a peaceful area where residents, family, volunteers and/or staff can share their condolences, a console table containing faux white roses, an LED candle, a picture frame, cards, pens, and a card box is available. These cards are later sent to the family. The local funeral home also brings the funeral notice and obituary to place in this area.
The Oyen & District Health Care Foundation was honoured to fund this very worthwhile project.