Osler reaccredited in for excellence in dementia care

Osler is the only acute care hospital in the world accredited in The Butterfly Approach™

William Osler Health System (Osler) has once again earned the highest distinction for its approach to caring for people with living with dementia while in hospital, receiving reaccreditation for the fourth consecutive survey. Led by United Kingdom-based consultancy Meaningful Care Matters, the organization that developed, The Butterfly Approach™, the renewed recognition reaffirms Osler’s commitment to delivering emotion-based, person-centred dementia care.

Osler made history in 2023 as the first-ever acute care hospital in the world to implement and receive accreditation in The Butterfly Approach, at Brampton Civic Hospital's Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) Unit. This year’s reaccreditation recognizes the ACE Unit’s continued commitment to the approach’s principles into everyday care, and to sustaining an environment where patients living with dementia receive individualized, dignified and compassionate care.

"As our population continues to age and the number of people living with dementia increases, it is essential that we continue to evolve how we deliver care to our community," said Dr. Sudip Saha, Medical Director of Seniors' Health and Division Head of Geriatric Medicine, William Osler Health System. "This reaccreditation reflects our team's unwavering commitment to providing compassionate, evidence-informed care that recognizes every patient as an individual.”

The Butterfly Approach is an emotion-based, person-centred model of care that recognizes the importance of supporting patients' emotional well-being alongside their physical health. By helping care teams to better understand each person's lived experience ,the approach fosters meaningful connections that enhance the hospital experience for patients living with dementia and their families.

Since introducing The Butterfly Approach, Osler has continued to build on its commitment to dementia-friendly care by maintaining a specialized environment designed to support patients living with the disease. Osler’s ACE Unit features thoughtfully designed spaces with vibrant colours, interactive activity stations, games, puzzles and sensory elements that help create a calming, engaging environment while supporting patients' individual cognitive, emotional and social well-being.

“We’re proud to continue to deliver world-class health care inspired by our people and communities,” says Carole Moore, Vice President, Clinical Services, William Osler Health System. “The ACE Unit’s re-accreditation reinforces Osler's ongoing global leadership in dementia care and recognizes the dedication of our interdisciplinary team to create an environment where patients and families feel supported, respected and cared for.”