Therapeutic Relationships

The policy on therapeutic relationships has been updated with the following content:

• Addition of Roles and Responsibilities for employees
• Disciplinary Actions
• Steps for the Reporting Procedure

What is Responsive Behaviour?

Agitation or aggression can be common in individuals living with dementia, mental health conditions, substance use challenges, or other neurological disorders. The term “responsive behaviours” is often used to remind us that these actions, words, and gestures are responses to something happening in their personal, social, or physical environment.

In community settings, one of the most common triggers for responsive behaviour is dementia. By understanding and addressing the root causes, we can foster safer and more supportive environments for everyone involved.

Responsive Behaviours and Dementia

The brain is one of the most complex and vital organs in the body. It shapes how we experience the world, process information, and interact with others.

The brain:

• Helps us understand our surroundings
• Guides our language and communication
• Influences how we respond to different situations

When the brain is affected by conditions like dementia, these abilities can change. Behavioural changes are often a sign of underlying damage or disruption in brain function.

What Does This Mean for Caregiving?

Responsive behaviours like agitation or aggression are not random – they are ways of expressing discomfort, confusion, or frustration.

It is important to keep in mind that these behaviours could be responses to:

• A noisy or unfamiliar environment
• Physical discomfort (like pain or hunger)
• Emotional distress or unmet needs

Why It Matters

Behavioural changes can feel overwhelming and upsetting– not only for caregivers and loved ones but also for the person experiencing them. Recognizing these behaviours as forms of communication is crucial in providing compassionate and effective care.

Slips, trips, and falls are common but preventable accidents that can cause serious injuries. Here’s a quick guide to help you stay safe while working in clients’ homes and in the community.

What Causes Slips, Trips, and Falls?

Slips happen when there’s not enough grip between your shoes and the ground.

Common causes of slips include:

• Spills or wet floors
• Ice or snow on sidewalks
• Loose rugs or mats

Trips happen when your foot hits something and you lose balance.

Common causes of trips include:

• Clutter in hallways
• Cords and wires across the floor
• Uneven steps or floors

Falls can happen after a slip or trip, often when your balance shifts.

Common causes of falls include:

• Carrying items that block your view
• Rushing or not paying attention to surroundings
• Using unsafe equipment (like standing on chairs)

How to Prevent STF Accidents:

Here are some simple tips to help you stay steady and avoid injuries:

• Clean spills right away – even small amounts of water can lead to slips.
• Use non-slip mats in areas that may get wet.
• Wear sturdy, slip-resistant shoes – especially in winter or wet weather.
• Clear pathways – remove cords, boxes, or anything that might get in the way.
• Use handrails on stairs whenever available.
• Light up work areas – ensure proper lighting to see obstacles clearly.
• Take your time – walk carefully, especially around corners or on uneven surfaces.
• Use step stools – don’t climb on furniture to reach high items.
• Report hazards – if you spot something unsafe, speak up to prevent accidents.

Tips for Walking on Icy or Slippery Surfaces:

• Walk like a penguin! – Spread your feet slightly, point your toes outward, and take small steps.
• Use your arms for balance – keep them free, and avoid carrying heavy loads in one hand.
• Step carefully – especially when getting in and out of vehicles or entering homes.

Your safety is important! Take a few extra moments to check your surroundings can prevent injury, pain, and visit to the hospital. Staying aware helps ensure your own safety and that of your clients.

You deserve a workplace free from violence, whether it involves a client, a coworker, a personal relationship, or a perpetrator with no direct relationship to you or your work. If it’s happening at work, it is a workplace violence issue!

4 types of Workplace Violence:

• Client: the perpetrator is a  client, visitor, or family member of a client, for example, if the client becomes violent towards you.
• Worker to worker: the perpetrator is an employee, volunteer, or previous employee of the organization, for example, if a colleague or supervisor is bullying or harassing you.
• Personal relationship: the perpetrator has a personal relationship with you, for example, if an abusive spouse harasses you with phone calls while you are working or follows you to your workplace.
• Criminal: the perpetrator has no relationship to you, for example, if your wallet is stolen by a thief while travelling to work.

If you experience any of these types of Workplace Violence, please report the incident to your Supervisor or Human Resources. Depending on the severity and situation, you may also need to alert local authorities such as the police.

In the Greater Toronto Area, winter season usually lasts from December to February, with variations in weather conditions each year. Snow, ice, and cold can begin as early as October and last as late as April or even early May.

We created this guide to Canada in winter for employees who are new to Canada, but it is a great general reminder for all of us. It covers what to expect during the winter months and how to keep ourselves safe.

Winter in Toronto

• Daylight – Days are shorter during winter months, meaning there is less daylight. The sun sets around 5pm during the winter.
• Temperature – The average temperature in winter ranges from -1 degrees Celsius to -6 degrees Celsius, but temperatures can drop as low as -20 degrees Celsius during colder spells. Wind chill can make it feel even colder!
• Snowfall – Snow is common during the winter! Even a small amount of snow can make walking and driving hazardous. Snow can affect road conditions and daily activities, contributing to slips, trips and falls, and motor vehicle accidents. Extreme snow events can create as much as 20cm of snow.
• Ice – Ice can form on roads and walkways when temperature changes cause snow to melt and then freeze again.
  • Freezing rain occurs when weather conditions cause rain to freeze as it hits the ground, turning to ice instead of snow. Freezing rain can create very icy conditions on roads and sidewalks.
  • Ice storms are less frequent, but can be very dangerous when they do happen. Ice storms can also cause power outages and significant travel disruptions.

Travel

Winter weather can make travel difficult or even impossible. Snow and ice sometimes cause dangerous road conditions, car accidents, delays or closures on public transit (such as buses, subways, and streetcars), and other disruptions.

This is not only a safety issue for everyone, it is an especially important consideration in our work, since it can prevent or delay travel to your client.

Always check the weather and transit conditions before you leave for work, so you can plan for delays and ensure a safe commute. Some useful apps can be installed right on your phone for easy access.

• Weather App – Shows you the temperature, wind chill, and important information to help you prepare for the weather conditions. The weather app is installed in your Circle of Care mobile phone.
• My TTC App – Alerts you of any delays and provides real-time TTC vehicle arrival times in Toronto.
• Transit App – Provides Schedules and Alerts of Transit throughout the GTA.

If you are delayed due to weather, you should call the office and speak to a Call Centre Representative to report that you are unavailable for your shift due to the delays/closures. This way we can notify clients and reschedule with them.

Clothing

The type of clothing you wear is important when travelling outdoors. This helps keep you warm and safe from slips, trips or falls.

• Footwear – Invest in winter boots to wear while you are outside and commuting. Make sure your winter boots are water proof, non-slip and comfortable. You should bring a separate pair of shoes to change into when you arrive. Changing into dry shoes indoors will help prevent you from slipping.
• Outerwear – Wear gloves, hats, a heavy jacket to protect you from the cold.
• Layers – Layer your clothes so that you can add or subtract if you are too hot or too cold. For example, you can wear multiple shirts or sweaters over a lighter base layer.

Did you know?

You can get discounts on winter clothing through Perkopolis!

Join RBC Wealth Management & Global Asset Management for a market update and learn about key investment principles to maximize your investment strategies.

Guest Speakers:

• George Tsvetanov, CFP, RBC Financial Planner
• Fandi Kamran, Regional Manager, RBC Global Asset Management

Click on the links below to register for upcoming sessions:

• January 15^th, 2024 – 12:00 PM EST – Register
• February 12^th, 2024 – 12:00 PM EST – Register

You must Register to join! Session is hosted on Webex, you can join from your internet browser. Add the calendar booking to your calendar after registering.

Did you know?

You can get discounted home and auto insurance through our discount program, Perkopolis!

Stay safe at work!

If you did not complete the STF Prevention eLearning module in 2023 – or you just need to refresh your memory – it’s not too late to self-enroll through Dayforce.

Log into your Dayforce account, select the ‘Learning’ tab and then choose the STF Prevention module from the ‘Courses Catalogue’ at the top.

• Joyce Iwuchukwu
• Dongmei Yu
• Tenzin Namgyal
• Jucelle Jay Magdirila
• Christine Clerigo
• Cherisha Samuels
• Joystina Ogunye
• Michelle Stern
• Angeliqua Saunders
• Damilola Adio
• Divya Jacob Thomas
• Saju Jalaludeen
• Olga Lookyanchenkova
• Lalramdinthari Lalramdinthari
• Pantea Taleb
• Hilda Ochiaka
• Azeezat Muraina