Revolutionizing Patient Care at Isabel and Arthur Meighen Manor

The Salvation Army’s Isabel and Arthur Meighen Manor is Canada’s first long-term care home to give immediate access to residents’ health records to family members and caregivers.

Since February 2024 the innovative and cutting-edge Engage Plus app has connected loved ones to health reports at their convenience, saving staff time spent responding to calls for updates or sending out health records by mail.

“Engage Plus is a secure online clinical portal that provides residents and their authorized family members and caregivers access to health information and facility updates, anytime, anywhere, and at no cost,” says Monica Klein-Nouri, executive director of Meighen Health Centre.

Before the app, the process for families was entirely manual, requiring a written request for information. Salvation Army staff would then have to compile and print the information, and mail it out, a process that can take up to a week. Monica says staff would regularly spend three hours of an eight-hour shift responding to calls or requests for updates on a patient’s care and condition.

“Taking the time to listen to our residents, asking how their day is going, or simply holding their hand when they’re feeling sad or agitated—these acts of care are what matters most. It’s these moments of connection that truly make a difference in their lives,” Monica says.

She says 85 per cent of residents’ families have signed up for the service, which is expected to increase as more family members discover the app’s effectiveness with real-time updates.

“We’re excited to be part of this technological transformation because of both the short-term and long-term benefits for residents, their family members and caregivers,” says Monica.

Help The Salvation Army make a difference in the lives of people in your community by donating today at www.salvationarmy.ca or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.