Understanding the needs of the individual, addressing both mind and body

The Positive Eight™ philosophy

There is a clear connection between the positive physical, emotional and cognitive effects of maintaining mobility for patients and residents. Decades of experience has shown us that mobility plays a fundamental role in quality of life, improved clinical outcomes and the efficiency of a facility. Some of the prerequisites for mobility – environment, equipment and care skill – are all key aspects of safe and effective care. The Positive Eight™ philosophy is at the heart of our approach to optimizing care. It illustrates the clear connection between the effects of mobility and immobility on both a resident’s physical and mental well-being. This means care providers are faced with a two-sided challenge: as well as considering the mobility level of a resident, they have to take into account the cognitive level and responsive behavior that the resident might display.