Darcy Jong became a dedicated 2SLGBTQIA+ ally after attending an education workshop identifying common fears elders may experience when being placed into long-term care homes and belong to the 2SLGBTQIA+ Rainbow Community.
In her role as a recreation therapist at David Lloyd Jones long-term care home, Darcy is responsible for completing assessments that gather valuable information about elders, including their past and present hobbies and interests, community supports, passions and culture. Gathering this information and working collaboratively with the elder guides her decision-making in creating their care plans. Care plans support the individual’s holistic needs and empower them to live and experience the best quality of life possible in a long-term care setting.
"I can’t recall the actual number of recreation assessments I have completed since my career began in 1991," says Darcy. "I can recall, however, the very small number of elders who felt comfortable sharing with me that they were part of the Rainbow Community. Knowing an elder’s true self allows us to honour, support and care for them the best way we can."
