Advancing Safe, Person-Centred Long-Term Care
Person-centred care has been shown to improve quality of life and reduce symptoms of dementia. Long-term care homes across Canada are using these approaches to better understand and support residents. This leads to safer, more personalized care and better outcomes for residents, care partners and staff.
Did you know?
- Between 2014 and 2020, antipsychotic use steadily decreased from 27.2% to 20.2%, thanks to significant efforts to address the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia by other means.
- The overall percentage of LTC residents on antipsychotics without a diagnosis of psychosis increased from 20.2% in 2019-2020 to 24.5% in 2022-2023. The rate held steady at 24.5 in 2023-2024.
- A review of 19 clinical trials with nearly 4,000 participants showed that person-centred care improves quality of life and reduces symptoms of dementia.
Did you know?
- Between 2014 and 2020, antipsychotic use steadily decreased from 27.2% to 20.2%, thanks to significant efforts to address the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia by other means.
- The overall percentage of LTC residents on antipsychotics without a diagnosis of psychosis increased from 20.2% in 2019-2020 to 24.5% in 2022-2023. The rate held steady at 24.5 in 2023-2024.
- A review of 19 clinical trials with nearly 4,000 participants showed that person-centred care improves quality of life and reduces symptoms of dementia.
How you can get involved
Sparking Change in the Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics Awards Program combines a quality improvement collaborative with opportunities for monetary awards, designed to help long-term care homes provide safer, more person-centred care.
The program includes:
- Support for teams to implement the AUA Approach with coaching, webinars and resources.
- Low-barrier entry with flexible participation.
- Opportunities to connect with peers and learn together.
- Monetary awards from $2,000 to $10,000 to help homes apply person-centred approaches.
- The program is open for registration until October 1, 2025, and ends in February 2026.
If you're ready to make a difference, visit the Sparking Change in the Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics webpage to learn more and apply.
Improving care for one million with Care Forward
These offerings are part of Care Forward, a pan-Canadian movement where people unite to share knowledge and apply proven approaches to make healthcare better for more people. With support from Healthcare Excellence Canada and its partners—through funding, resources, expert coaching, and a network of peers—healthcare changemakers are creating lasting local impact and improving care for over one million people across the country.
Explore related work
These efforts are part of our wider work to strengthen long-term care, support care teams and improve care for residents.
Reimagining LTC
Reimagining LTC supported long-term care homes to work together to build better care with and for people living and working in long-term care in Canada.
OPUS-AP PEPS
Launched in 2017 in Quebec, the Optimizing Practices, Use, Care and Services - Antipsychotics (OPUS-AP) collaborative aims to reduce or discontinue the inappropriate use of antipsychotic medications in long-term care centres.
Featured content
Why join the Sparking Change in the Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics (AUA) Awards Program?
Is your LTC home working to reduce antipsychotic use for residents without psychosis? Healthcare Excellence Canada’s AUA Awards can support you.
Sparking Change Webinar Series
Join us for a webinar series that shares quality improvement strategies and guidance on enhancing person-centred care in long-term care.
Resources on the Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics for People Living with Dementia
Explore tools designed to help LTC homes apply person-centred care, whether participating in Sparking Change or on a self-guided journey.
Related resources
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Change happens in partnership
Supporting organizations across Canada are helping drive meaningful progress as part of Care Forward.
Change happens in partnership
Supporting organizations across Canada are helping drive meaningful progress as part of Care Forward.
