Gentle Persuasive Approaches Education at CapitalCare

For the past seven years, CapitalCare has been building the expertise of our staff by offering Gentle Persuasive Approaches classes to address the specific needs of residents with dementia. Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) is a nationally recognized and evidence-based dementia education program that equips health care providers with the knowledge, empathy, understanding and skills to deliver person-centered dementia care.

“GPA helps create more effective communication between staff and residents, ultimately helping residents feel more comfortable, safe and respected,” says Carla Halfyard, RN, a GPA coach and manager at CapitalCare.

Staff at Gene Zwozdesky Centre at Norwood work together to determine how external stimuli can lead to responsive behaviours.

The GPA courses strategically illustrate the challenges a resident with dementia can experience. Dementia can affect how a person understands and reacts to the world around them. Throughout the GPA courses, staff are encouraged to reframe how residents with dementia respond to the world to better understand their behaviour and address their needs. The GPA course provides staff opportunities to practice specific strategies which help residents manage these challenges.

“Watching our staff light up when they better understand a resident’s behaviour is a highlight for me,” says Barb Potter, a learning & development lead at CapitalCare who facilitates GPA courses.

“In GPA courses, staff become detectives figuring out how to address a resident’s unmet needs and listen to what residents are really trying to say. For example, a resident might be using a toothbrush incorrectly, but it’s only because they’ve lost the ability to recognize that item as a toothbrush. Understanding that, staff are equipped with strategies on how to better assist a resident.”

Staff participating in a scenario-based exercise.

Every CapitalCare centre has GPA coaches who assist staff with applying GPA approaches and witness the training’s positive impact. Staff’s newfound confidence helps them engage residents with greater understanding and empathy. Coaches help build on the education learned at each GPA session and incorporate key takeaways into everyday life in the neighbourhood.

As leaders in continuing care, CapitalCare is committed to continuing GPA training for staff. This education and person-centred approach helps CapitalCare to meet the three core objectives of its strategic plan. GPA approaches help improve resident satisfaction while supporting staff to provide high quality care. This education helps staff create compassionate and empathic environments that improve the quality of life for residents, creating a healthy space. And by incorporating innovative, evidence-based programs that help staff grow and improve communication with residents, CapitalCare creates a healthier organization, reinforcing the mission to provide person centred care with dignity and kindness.