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News Release - City of Toronto opens specialized behavioural support unit at Kipling Acres Long-Term Care Home

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release

July 18, 2024

City of Toronto opens specialized behavioural support unit at Kipling Acres Long-Term Care Home

The City of Toronto has opened a new 17-bed Behavioural Support Unit (BSU) designed for individuals who have complex care needs like dementia or medical conditions that cannot be safely and effectively managed in other long-term care settings.

With funding from the Province of Ontario, Kipling Acres transitioned regular long-stay beds into BSU beds in the Beaumond Heights resident home area. Admissions are now open for these beds, which provide the necessary supports to manage and stabilize residents’ responsive behaviours within four to six months so they can then successfully transition into a regular long-term care setting.

Complex health challenges like dementia can make individuals more difficult to place in long-term care, creating strain on individuals, families, hospitals, and care teams. By creating more specialized behavioural support beds, the City is able to offer individuals the care, dignity and respect they deserve.

The Beaumond Heights BSU has been designed to ensure the comfort and safety of residents. Features include:

Physical enhancements 
• Ceiling lifts in each resident room
• Dementia-friendly décor to promote wayfinding and stimulation
• A wireless silent call bell system to reduce agitation from excessive noise
• Second entrance/exits in the spa room and nursing station for safety purposes
• A state-of-the-art noise detection system that will notify staff if sounds reach a disruptive level for residents.
  
Programming and special equipment  
• A portable buffet cart to accommodate flexible dining hours
• Specialized care equipment to make residents comfortable and reduce responsive behaviours, such as a towel warmer, shower chair and other specialized relaxation chairs
• Interactive activity centres and materials located throughout the unit to engage residents in purposeful activities and to reduce wandering and hoarding behaviours 
• An interactive projector to engage residents in recreation programs
• iPads, televisions and music speakers to promote engagement, stimulation and interaction for residents
• A multi-sensory room designed to stimulate and de-escalate based on residents’ individual needs.

The Beaumond Heights BSU is also receiving enhanced staffing with intensive training appropriate to the complex care needs of residents.

Currently, eight residents have moved in and applications for admittance to the new BSU are in progress. Ontario Health atHome assesses applications for long-term care placement in Ontario.

More information about the Kipling Acres Long-Term Care Home, including a virtual tour, is available on the City’s website: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/rental-housing-tenant-information/finding-housing/long-term-care-homes/kipling-acres/. 

Quote
“Behavioural Support Units play a critical role in helping people with complex care needs age with dignity. These new BSU beds at Kipling Acres will improve the lives of residents and their loved ones by providing specialized care, enhanced accommodations and specific supports for those who cannot be managed in a typical long-term care setting. We thank the Province for its partnership in transforming Beaumond Heights.”
– Jennifer Dockery, General Manager, Seniors Services and Long-Term Care, City of Toronto

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at x.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.

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Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca

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