Living classroom brings training into long-term care

HAMILTON, Ont. – As the population ages and the complexity of patient needs, the demands on our healthcare system and skilled team members in long-term care homes continue to grow. To support this challenge, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton’s Department of Education & Learning, St. Joseph’s Villa, in partnership with Mohawk College, is opening its new living classroom, an innovative learning environment that places healthcare education and training directly inside a long-term care facility.

“The living classroom immerses students in real-world senior care from day one,” said Dr. Azim Gangji (pictured), vice president, academic, St. Joseph’s Health System. “By learning alongside residents, families, and our experienced care teams, students gain hands-on experience, stronger clinical skills, and a deep understanding of compassionate, person-centred care.”

Living classrooms allow learners to gain enhanced skills, greater confidence and a deeper understanding of senior care before heading into the workforce. As a result, this integrated model also enhances recruitment and retention in long-term care.

“Mohawk College recognized the need for a different approach to training the future of healthcare professionals, one that brings education directly into long-term care facilities and prepares students to confidently support older adults, explains Paul Armstrong, president at Mohawk College. “The living classroom is an equal benefit for everyone involved. Students experience meaningful, experiential learning; long-term care teams engage in mentorship and continuous improvement; and residents contribute to shaping the next generation of caregivers.”

Originally developed under the leadership and partnership of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, St. Joseph’s Villa and Mohawk College, hosting the living classroom in Hamilton provides accessible training for local students, especially those unable to travel outside the community for their education.

“This innovative training model will help us enhance recruitment and retention in long-term care, increase the number of healthcare graduates in the region and helps build a sustainable workforce to meet the needs of an aging population, said Mike Heenan, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health System. “Together with critical partners like Mohawk College, St. Joseph’s Villa is building a stronger future for senior care in Hamilton.”

The living classroom was made possible through a $1.98 million Models of Care Innovation Fund grant for Centre(s) for Excellence for Specialized Clinical Training (CEST) from the Ministry of Health. The partnership of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Mohawk College was also awarded a living classroom grant from The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) and the Ontario Association of Adult and Continuing Education School Board Administrators (CESBA) of $75,000 for this project.

This funding also supports living classrooms at other locations throughout the St. Joseph’s Health System to provide leaners with hands on training designed to accelerate the readiness of graduates, expand capacity and enhance workforce development province wide.