Summerset Manor

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Kelsey Goodwin-Coughlin is a Clinical Resource Nurse representing the team at Summerset Manor, a long-term care facility in Summerside, P.E.I. At Summerset, they take a person-centred holistic approach to care and patient safety is central to their mission.

Kelsey was a resident care worker at Summerset for ten years before returning to school for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She returned to Summerset as an RN Supervisor and is now their Clinical Resource Nurse. Kelsey and the Summerset team’s work is inspired by their residents and they strive to provide them with the highest quality of life possible.

The team at Summerset realized that their residents' quality of life was closely connected to having a sense of purpose and feeling like they belong. This led to the creation of several purposeful spaces throughout the manor, such as a workshop, salon, cafe and “Main Street.” These spaces provide residents with familiarity and a sense of routine, as well as meaningful, sensory-driven interactions and a deeper sense of community. Summerset is made up of a collection of households, with 13 or 14 residents in each, along with a mixture of these common areas for residents to freely explore.

Three of the households at Summerset are ‘dementia households’, where residents living with dementia stay within their household for their own safety. Summerset recently expanded the environment of two of these households, so residents now have an indoor park to explore. They also have two bilingual households, ensuring that French-speaking residents can receive care in their preferred language. Kelsey notes that as individuals age, they often feel more comfortable using their first language. Providing care in that language can help ensure they receive safe and effective support tailored to their needs.

Summerset is the only public home in P.E.I. with a therapeutic dementia worker. This worker's role is to understand the unique needs of residents with dementia and collaborate with their families to create personalized care plans. Tabatha Gallant is the therapeutic dementia worker at Summerset, and she takes a holistic approach to her work. Her main goal is to enhance the quality of life for residents, and she enjoys the detective work involved in discovering the best ways to support them.

Tabatha carefully observes the residents and often finds creative ways to help them without using medication. By including residents with dementia in daily activities at the manor, she helps establish a routine that gives them a sense of purpose and encourages meaningful interactions with staff.

Tabatha has led the development of a Snoezelen Room at Summerset. A Snoezelen Room uses sensory activities to help stimulate residents who may not be able to enjoy their favorite activities anymore. It also offers a calming space where residents can relax and take some time for themselves.

Summerset offers personalized meal options and a wide range of recreational activities. They've also started using virtual reality to enhance the experience for residents. This use of technology is an exciting innovation that can help inspire energy and a sense of adventure in older adults. Summerset is continuously growing its team by hiring specialized staff like Tabatha, who use their knowledge and skills to enrich the lives of the residents.

The team at Summerset show how a person-centered approach can make a meaningful impact. By prioritizing the physical, psychological, social and emotional safety of the residents, their loved ones and staff, they are creating a supportive environment that enhances healthcare quality and safety. Their efforts reflect the kind of commitment that drives continuous improvement in healthcare, fostering safer, more compassionate care for all.