- 10. Promote and Sustain/Expand Value
10. Promote and Sustain/Expand Value
Investment and opportunities do not stop once the LC is up and running.
- 7. Identify and Connect Post-Secondary Education Faculty and Long-Term-Care Teams
7. Identify and Connect Post-Secondary Education Faculty and Long-Term-Care Teams
People are the greatest asset in Living Classrooms, as in many other businesses and collaborations.
- 8. Integrate Curriculum and Long-Term-Care Activities
8. Integrate Curriculum and Long-Term-Care Activities
A curriculum is the heart of any given educational program.
- 9. Define Communication and Coordination Mechanisms
9. Define Communication and Coordination Mechanisms
Open and ongoing communication is encouraged and valued.
- 4. Formalize the Collaboration
4. Formalize the Collaboration
A business relationship focused on collaboration is optimal for our Living Classroom.
- 5. Commit to the Physical Space for the Living Classroom
5. Commit to the Physical Space for the Living Classroom
There are many items that go into making the LC an inviting and interprofessional working
environment. - 6. Create Standard Operating Protocols and Formal Agreements
6. Create Standard Operating Protocols and Formal Agreements
There are many Standard Operating Protocols that have to be considered between both organizations when
a Living Classroom is developed, but only two formal agreements are recommended.
- 1. Agree on the Living Classroom Definition
1. Agree on the Living Classroom Definition
This is an important first step to promote a full and shared understanding of the Living Classroom.
- 2. Determine Operational Viability
2. Determine Operational Viability
Operation viability involves the “make or break” elements that determine if a Living Classroom is possible.
- 3. Identify Win-Win Opportunities and Develop Shared Values
3. Identify Win-Win Opportunities and Develop Shared Values
The Living Classroom offers many opportunities for both a Long-Term Care home and a Post-Secondary Educator.
- Living Classroom
Unlock the potential. Open the door to the living classroom.
Explore the Potential for the Living Classroom: (1) Agree on the LC Definition, (2) Determine Operational Viability, (3) Identify the Win-Win Opportunities and Develop Shared Values
Determine Operational Viability
Operational viability means the ability to sustain a business and the LC is no different than any other business in this regard. These considerations are the “make or break” elements to help you understand if a collaborative LC is even possible.
The educational institution must be willing to deliver a PSW program in a long-term care home. This brings with it the requirement to operate in accordance with provincial standards for admission and fees, to deliver in accordance with the approved program standards and curriculum, to support students enrolled in the program in accordance with expectations of the PSE, to staff the program according to PSE practices and policies, and to operate in a fiscally prudent manner.
At the same time, the LTC home must be willing to host delivery of the PSW program. This brings with it the requirement to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements impacting the LTC home, including municipal zoning, infection control, respecting the privacy and dignity of residents, safety, etc. It is also important to understand readiness of staff and the resident/family culture in relation to supporting the proposed development and the expectations for collaborative work.
If you have these two essential elements, you are ready to look more closely at the following operational viability considerations outlined in Table 3 below.
We recommend that, as a PSE-LTC collaboration, you discuss these considerations through several formal meetings to arrive at a common understanding of each organization’s expectations within the collaboration. Our experience indicates that clarity on the following parameters, including discussions with regulatory authorities to ensure mutual understanding, is critical to LC development – and future operation.