Win-Win Opportunities
See also the Living Classroom infographic.
The Living Classroom offers many advantages to a variety of stakeholders in the post-secondary educator and long-term care alliance. PSE faculty, LTC teams, students, residents and family members can benefit from a well-established LC.
Here are a few of the win-win opportunities:
Post-Secondary Faculty
- Exposure to the daily practices and events within the Long-Term Care home
- Involvement in all aspects of caregiving and social engagement
- Participation as an active Long-Term Care team member in the provision of evidence-informed care and services
- Opportunities to work with the LTC team and refine curriculum and lesson plans for the LC
“I really enjoy making connections with the residents and team members in the Long-Term Care home. It allows me to feel a part of their team, and for them to become part of ours! I get a chance to integrate the mission, vision, values and aspirations of the Long-Term Care home into our daily activities. Our [Post-Secondary Educator] outcomes are based on a solid curricular foundation with these important threads included. Having the Living Classroom in the same building as the Long-Term Care home creates an open line of communication and a chance for reciprocal learning.”
— Amy Stiles, Living Classroom Coordinator (2013-2017), Conestoga College, Village of Riverside Glen, Guelph
Long-Term Care Teams
- Involvement and exposure to new clinical practices and approaches
- Ability to visit the Living Classroom skills lab and practice and update their caregiving skills and knowledge
- Assistance from students with resident care
- Broadened social interaction and engagement
- Opportunities for personal growth and development through mentoring the next generation of Personal Support Worker students
“Students that we have hired [from the LC program] have been phenomenal — they get what we are going for, they understand resident-centred care, they understand interprofessional collaboration where other people, not having that kind of experiential education, are a little behind on that.”
— LTC team member
Students
- Access to a Post-Secondary Educator program closer to where they live
- Involvement in a unique learning opportunity
- Exposure to a variety of mentors and role models
- Ability to gain the aptitude and capability to care and provide services to older adults and their families
- Support to grow as leaders in their career as PSWs
- Graduating as PSWs who are workforce ready for Long-Term Care
“I definitely learned more hands on than I did from a book or a teacher.”
— Student in the Living Classroom
Older Adults and Families
- Involvement in student interactions, teaching, and sharing knowledge and wisdom with the students
- Opportunities to attend or participate in Living Classroom activities and lesson plans to help strengthen student training and learning
“There is a definite increase in confidence of staff working together.”
“Remarkable, many seem more motivated and more dedicated to their work when helping us.”
— Resident of the Village of Riverside Glen
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