In the fall of 2006, Luther Court Society implemented an innovative model of care.  The model is a socially based model which has a number of differences from the more traditional medically based model.

 The model operates out of the assumption that Luther Court  is a person's home.  The people who live here are not in a hospital.  And though there is ready access to best practice in terms of medical knowledge and nursing care, the first and primary focus is that this is the person's home.  It is here that they participate in all the day-to-day activities that are essential for life and also those pursuits which impart particular meaning and purpose to the individual.  All of this is lived out within a community of care. 

To accomplish the goal of living out the Luther Court Model of Care we are intentional about

• fostering a strong sense of community
• creating an environment that is based on sound ethical principles that can be tested and demonstrated in a transparent fashion
• providing a physical environment and a culture that speaks and feels like "home"
• bringing together an inter-disciplinary team that works together, bringing their particular skill-sets and gifts to the forefront in service of the whole community
• working to ensure that families feel that they are an integral part of the community
• creating a place where people are encouraged to be fully themselves, where friendships and inter-personal connections can flourish
• fostering a climate of compassion, dignity and respect for all persons regardless of their circumstances

In keeping with our model of care, our complex care unit has undergone a major renovation to change nursing units into four houses.  Each of these houses has a living/dining room at its centre, with individual bedrooms down a corridor - creating as much as possible a home-like environment.  We seek to be flexible with meal times to allow for early birds and late risers - enabling people to establish a natural rhythm for their lives that is congruent with their lifelong habits and preferences.

We are excited about the process of bringing this model of care to life and are happy to talk to you about it.