Identifying Innovative and Promising Models of Care to Support Residents in Long-Term Care Homes

December 2022

Author(s): Knowledge Translation Program of St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health 

The “Identifying Innovative and Promising Models of Care to Support Residents in Long-Term Care Homes During and Beyond COVID-19" report identifies practices that can help long-term care homes improve resident care.

This report highlights findings from a study that identified innovative and promising models of care in long-term care, and barriers and facilitators to their implementation. The Knowledge Translation Program of St. Michael’s Hospital led this study with support from Healthcare Excellence Canada.

Report findings

The study found that models of care related to healthy food options, exercise, music, art programs and planned social activities for residents were perceived to improve care. Long-term care home managers planned to sustain these models beyond the pandemic.

Common barriers to implementing promising models of care include:

• lack of funding, resources or staffing
• staff not being familiar with the model
• lack of resident buy-in
• fear of COVID-19
• pandemic regulations

Common facilitators for implementing promising models of care include:

• staff, resident and family buy-in
• funding, legislation and other resources
• familiarity with models of care before the pandemic
• collaboration with other long-term care homes

Download the report