Behavioural Supports Ontario
Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) exists to enhance services for older people with responsive behaviours linked to cognitive impairments, people at risk of the same, and their caregivers; providing them with the right care, at the right time and in the right place (at home, in long-term care or elsewhere).
Through development and implementation of new models designed to focus on quality of care and quality of life for this population, a $40 million provincial BSO investment allows local health service providers (HSPs) to hire new staff-nurses, personal support workers and other health care providers, and to train them in the specialized skills necessary to provide quality care to these residents/clients.
To date, more than 475 new front-line staff have been hired across the province, over 310 long-term care homes have increased their in-house behavioural supports and an estimated 14,000 new and existing front-line staff have received specialized training in techniques and approaches applicable to behavioural supports. Stories from every corner of the province reflect the positive outcomes of BSO and the project continues to showcase its leadership position by aligning with key provincial initiatives including Ontario’s Seniors Care Strategy.
Client-centered and caregiver-directed care where…
- Everyone is treated with respect and accepted “as one is”
- Person and caregiver/family/social supports are the driving partners in care decisions
- Respect and trust characterize relationships between staff and clients and care providers.
Supporting principles bring core concepts to life when making decisions about care…
- Behaviour is communication
- Diversity
- Collaborative care
- Safety
- System coordination and integration
- Accountability and sustainability
For more information and to source local LHIN Action Plans, please visit www.BSOProject.ca.