Team profiles :

Actionmarguerite 

At a Glance 

Region: Manitoba 

Setting: Urban 

EAIP program principle(s):  

• Access to specialized healthcare services
• Access to social and community supports
• Access to system navigation and support 

Implementation (new, spread, and/or expand): 

• Expand

Team Profile

This initiative is led by Actionmarguerite, a not-for-profit organization providing a range of health and social services to the Francophone and larger community within the City of Winnipeg. Team members include leadership and administrative staff from Actionmarguerite and Charités Despins who provide project leadership and evaluation support, as well as a Chief Nursing Officer in the role of Clinical Lead. Representatives from Réseau Compassion Network provide project management expertise, knowledge of the francophone and aging community.  

Community 

• This initiative is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a city with a population of approximately 750,000.  
• A total of 96 individuals living in one of three Supportive Housing environments will benefit from the efforts of this initiative. Actionmarguerite offers supportive housing in two locations for 48 individuals while Charités Despins provides this program to 48 individuals in one living environment.  Beyond the Supportive Housing program, Actionmarguerite operates three (3) Personal Care Homes with a combined capacity for 553 people and an adult day program. Charités Despins also supports 239 older adults in two Independent Living environments.  

Program Focus  

Program Description  

• The Supportive Housing program in Winnipeg, operated by Actionmarguerite and Résidence Despins, aims to enhance its existing services by adopting a person-directed living approach and ensuring the evolution of this program to better meet the more complex needs of the population. The program will focus on improving continuity of care, fostering stronger relationships between staff and tenants, and offering timely, flexible services, including care in French. By addressing issues such as loneliness and ensuring culturally appropriate care, the program seeks to increase tenant satisfaction, extend their stay in supportive housing, reduce emergency visits and hospital admissions, and delay admissions to personal care homes, ultimately improving the overall quality of life for tenants and the effectiveness of the local health system.  

Implementation Approach: 

• Education and Training on Personal Outcome Measures (POM) and Person-Directed Living: All staff will undergo training on Personal Outcome Measures and person-directed living through in-person and online sessions to improve the understanding of older adult needs and enhance caregiver work satisfaction.  
• Expand Roles and Build Capacity Among Staff: Tenant Companions will be trained to transition into Health Care Aide roles, providing more consistent and higher quality care to all 96 tenants at the three locations.  
• Introduce a New 24-Hour Enhanced Supportive Housing Model: Implement a new integrated care model where on-site staff provide 24-hour personal care, replacing the external Homecare model, to ensure timely, flexible, and higher quality care for all 96 tenants.  
• Introducing the Nurse Consultant Role: A full-time Nurse Consultant will be available to train Health Care Aides, offer daily health consultations, and assist with new referrals and advocacy, ensuring comprehensive and responsive care for all 96 tenants.