Season 5: Episode- 61

Season 5: Episode- 61

In this episode, Pat Shanahan speaks with Barbara Machalik and Mary Connell. Barbara is the Executive Director of Academics, Community Relations and Programming at the Long Term Care homes operated by the Rekai Centres at Wellesley Central Place and Sherbourne Place in downtown Toronto. Barbara tells us about the planning and launch of the Rainbow Wing at their Wellesley location in 2022. The Wing is a pod of 25 resident rooms for members of the 2SLGBTQ communities but contains common space available to all the residents of the facility who are allies or are also members of the 2SLGBTQ communities.

Mary is a consulting nurse who specializes in the area of emotion-based care and client centred care especially for those experiencing dementia. The Rekai Centres have been working with Mary to train staff and assist the staff developing care approaches that respond to the individual residents, their lives and familiar activities to reduce anxiety.  Mary shares examples and stories of how emotion-based care is being used to care for members of the 2SLGBTQ communities who are experiencing dementia.

The following resources can be read/viewed found through links  www.rekaicentres.com

Many LGBTQ seniors entering long-term care hide their identities. The ‘Rainbow Wing’ aims to change that | The Star

Long-term care home unveils 'Rainbow Wing' for LGBTQ2 residents in Toronto | CBC News

Is this the future of queer elder care? | Xtra Magazine

Other Cities Have Housing for Queer Seniors. Why Not Vancouver? | The Tyee

Rainbows to welcome everyone at Rekai Centre Toronto - YouTube