Centre of Excellence
What's Inside:
- Learn how the Centre is working with Veterans, families and caregivers to improve access to the supports and services they need as they age.
- Explore new research into intergenerational programming at the Andrew Fleck Children's Services Intergenerational Early Learning Centre at Perley Health.
- Discover practical tools other long-term-care homes can use, including resources to support newly hired nurses and create meaningful Veteran legacies through music.
View additional Knowledge Translation resources from the Centre of Excellence
Introduction to the Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care™
Established in 2019, the Perley Health Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care™ conducts applied research in real care settings to improve the care and everyday experiences of Veterans and Seniors living with frailty.
As a living lab within Perley Health, the Centre develops, tests, and evaluates practical approaches to care; supports education and innovation; and shares evidence, tools, and best practices that other long-term-care homes and care partners can use. Its work helps turn insight from residents, families, care teams, and researchers into meaningful improvements within Perley Health and beyond.
Located on a 25-acre campus adjacent to The Ottawa Hospital, Perley Health is home to approximately 450 long-term-care residents, many of them Veterans, and approximately 200 Seniors living in 139 independent-living apartments. Funded by donations to the Perley Health Foundation, the Centre supports Perley Health's mission of excellence in the health, safety and well-being of Veterans and Seniors.
(Hon) Commodore (Ret'd), Dr. HW Jung, OMM, CD, QHP, CStJ, MD, MA, FRCPSC introduces the Centre of Excellence.
Despite the growing threat posed by frailty, healthcare systems across Canada are ill prepared. According to CFN: “No care setting in Canada currently identifies and assesses frailty as standard clinical practice.” In 2018, CFN and The National Institute on Ageing (NIA) published a report documenting a lack of consensus on how to measure and manage frailty. The Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care will fill these gaps by conducting clinical research and by developing evidence-based best practices in care.
What is frailty?
Frailty is a state of increased vulnerability, with reduced physical reserve and loss of function across multiple body systems. This reduces ability to cope with normal or minor stress, which can cause rapid and dramatic changes in health.
- Canadian Frailty Network
Vision
To be the leading provider, educator and innovator in frailty-informed care for seniors in Canada.
Mission
Through innovative, evidence-based care, education and research, we will optimize quality of life for seniors living with frailty in long-term care.
In 2021, Commissionaires Ottawa donated $2 million to the Centre of Excellence. In recognition of the gift, the title of research chair is known as the Commissionaires Ottawa Research Chair of the Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care. The position is currently held by Dr. Annie Robitaille, an Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa's Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences.
Recognizing the urgency of addressing care for Seniors and Veterans' living with frailty, Perley Health established Canada's first Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care™.
Perley Health will deliver on its vision in three ways:
-
Rapidly advancing the care of seniors living with frailty through applied research.
First, research priorities are chosen based on their abilities to make meaningful contributions to care at Perley Health and beyond. -
Knowledge transfer of lessons learned so that others can adopt best practices.
Second, evidence-based practices will drive widespread knowledge-transfer and education in clinical care. -
Becoming Canada's leader for excellence in the care of seniors living with frailty.
Finally, Perley Health will be contributing to and influencing government policies to achieve excellence in caring for Seniors and Veterans living with frailty.