Back to SearchWilliam Osler Health System (Osler) and Meaningful Care Matters (MCM) are proud to announce Osler as the first acute care health system worldwide to implement The Butterfly Approach™ in a hospital setting. MCM has accredited the Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) Unit at Osler’s Brampton Civic Hospital (Brampton Civic) with its highest designation, acknowledging Osler’s commitment to patient-inspired health care without boundaries and its leadership in acute dementia care.
The Butterfly Approach is an emotion-based, person-centred, model of care for patients living with dementia. This ground-breaking care paradigm - delivering focused care that connects with people in a dignified, human way - recognizes that the patient's emotional needs are as important as their physical needs.
“Achieving accreditation as the first acute care setting to implement The Butterfly Approach is a tremendous achievement, and a testament to the innovative and compassionate care provided at Osler,” said Jane deLacy, Vice-President, Clinical Services, William Osler Health System. “I am very proud of the hard work and determination of Osler’s ACE Unit team and all those involved in leading the change in how we provide care for seniors with dementia in hospital. This significant milestone is the result of many years of hard work, and of a shared commitment to learning new ways to care for and respond to the unique needs of patients.”
Implementing The Butterfly Approach was more than a change to the model of care, it also involved modifications to the physical space on the ACE Unit at Brampton Civic, ensuring the environment is appropriate and accessible to people living with dementia. The result was space that was not only safer, but also warmer and more engaging to these unique patients. The ACE Unit now has brightly coloured walls, doors and common spaces, with various interactive stations, games, puzzles, books and other activities designed to engage and stimulate the patient’s mind.
“In Osler’s catchment area, the population growth rate is three times the provincial average,” said Dr. Sudip Saha, Osler’s Medical Director of Seniors’ Health and Division Head of Geriatric Medicine. “Projections indicate that there will be an 83 per cent rise in the senior’s population nationally in the next eight years, so we need to incorporate new methodologies like The Butterfly Approach to ensure we continue to provide excellent care for senior patients, specifically those with dementia.”
The Butterfly Approach was developed by United Kingdom-based consultancy Meaningful Care Matters (MCM) and is currently implemented in a number of long-term care homes across the UK, Ireland, Australia, and Canada. Research has indicated significantly improved patient outcomes from adopting this approach to care, including an enhanced physical and mental state, and reduced behavioural responses.
“Through our partnership with Meaningful Care Matters, Osler is leading a revolutionary change in acute seniors dementia care,” said Patricia Geerlinks, Director, Women’s, Children’s & Senior’s Programs, William Osler Health System. “Osler and the ACE Unit team are trailblazers and I hope that we can be the spark that ignites the flame of change in dementia care.”
“Implementing the Butterfly Approach at Osler was only possible thanks to the commitment to person-centred care by the entire team, and a partnership focused on collaboration and providing patients with dementia, the best care possible.,” said Peter Bewert, CEO and Managing Director, Meaningful Care Matters. “The Butterfly Approach in action is about being person-centred, and what we saw in the ACE Unit at Brampton Civic is that approach to care come to life and flourish.”
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