The Relational Approach™ in Seniors’ Care

Empower staff and families with training + support
to amplify trust and build respect as partners in care

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YOUR HOME'S NEEDS

TRUSTED BY

Transform Care Through Connection

In Seniors’ Care, relationships aren’t just important, they’re essential. Yet, without empathy and relational approach training, care teams struggle to manage family expectations, navigate emotional conflicts, and build the trust needed for meaningful partnerships. Unresolved tensions create misunderstandings, increase staff burnout, and cause emotional strain for both families and care teams.

Without empathy and relational training, meaningful relationships fail to develop, impacting quality of life and care.

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YOUR HOME'S NEEDS

Build a Community of Care and Understanding

Your staff will feel more confident and capable in being able to communicate and connect with families across the board. You'll gain the trust of family members in the process.

LET'S CHAT ABOUT
YOUR HOME'S NEEDS
Many working in seniors’ care might think, “Of course, we’re relational - this is what we do every day.” And it’s true: caregiving inherently involves human connection.

However, The Relational Approach™ emphasizes going beyond the caregiving tasks to intentionally strengthen emotional and relational bonds among care teams, residents, and families. It recognizes that even in a caring environment, pressures like regulatory compliance, staff shortages, and emotional fatigue can strain relationships. By equipping care teams with relational tools, we ensure that empathy, understanding, and trust aren't just practiced occasionally - they become embedded in daily care, making the experience more fulfilling for everyone involved.

Trust Begins With Empowered Care Teams

With The Relational Approach™ Framework, we address the emotional and relational disconnect between seniors care staff, residents, and their families. Through  training, education, and programs, we equip care leaders and teams with the tools they need to navigate tough conversations, ease emotional tensions, and build trust-based partnerships - creating a care experience where everyone feels heard, respected, and connected.

I’m Deborah Bakti and I’ve been on both sides of seniors’ care.

One moment we were the conventional suburban family: career, two kids, four level side split home, and the next my husband Ty was diagnosed with a disease so rare that only 400 people in the world had it. There was no cure, only a slow degenerative journey that required the support of home care, community care and then long-term care to navigate both living...and dying.

Trust Begins With Empowered Care Teams, 2

Since then, I've walked the resident's family journey three times over with my dad, husband, then mom. And not once did anyone hand me a playbook!

Ironically, I had spent years working inside the seniors' care industry, understanding its operational demands and pressures. But when I was suddenly on the "other side of the table" as a resident's wife, I discovered an even deeper truth: caring well isn't about doing it all yourself, it's about creating a healthy exchange of care, respect and trust between families and care teams.

After 25+ years climbing the corporate ladder to an executive role, I stepped off the well-worn path.

Now I use my lived experience and industry insight to help families and care teams build partnerships that honour everyone's capacity, strengthen connection and work together with the shared goal of the best possible quality of life and care for the person at the centre of it all - their loved one/the home's resident.

 

LET'S CHAT ABOUT
YOUR HOME'S NEEDS

Three steps to transforming care communities:

Step 1: Schedule a conversation

We'll chat about your home's specific needs and Deborah will offer up the right solution and a customized approach (staff training, family education, or admission review & redesign.)

Step 2: Implement the customized approach

Integrate the practical tools and principles learned in your home and enhance your staff, resident, and family interactions.

Step 3: Cultivate a culture of empathy

Foster an environment of open communication and mutual support, benefitting residents, their families and your care team members.

LET'S CHAT ABOUT
YOUR HOME'S NEEDS

Hear from those transformed by Deborah’s approach:

From customized solutions to improving communication, Deb's work has made us more intentional in every interaction. Our staff now sees families not as challenges but as partners in care, and we’ve built stronger relationships because of it. Her approach to empathy and education is truly transformative.

Candace Lanthier

Senior Manager - Imagine, Age Care

Deb is a trusted partner for our organization. Her insights, wisdom, and cultural alignment have elevated the way we approach relationships with residents, families, and team members. We look forward to continuing our partnership and expanding the positive impact of her work.

Cheryl Janssen

Director of People Engagement, Schlegel Villages

Deborah's Program was an eye-opener for my team and me. Finally we found someone with an authentic perspective that could bridge the gaps and dispel the rivalries between families with loved ones in long-term care and the dedicated long-term care personnel. Her approach is not just positive and practical; it's downright revolutionary.

Stella Annan

Executive Director peopleCare Communities

Deborah has the ability to engage the entire team...everyone was just absolutely invested in every word she was saying because she's able to share such vulnerability around that time of her life when she was the family member of a resident.

Andrea Prashad, Senior Vice President

Resident Experience & Risk Management, Amica Senior Lifestyles

Deborah, the Now What? Family Education session has been a heartwarming and hopeful hour. Thank you for sharing your experience through stories and through your books for our families.

You have highlighted so many opportunities for us as team members in our work, but also to support our residents and their family members…I really appreciate the reminder to be intentional in how we choose to show up and the energy we bring to the world and those around us.

Jennifer Cornwell

Director of Long Term Care, Grey Gables, Lee Manor and Rockwood Terrace Care Communities

We wanted to be better at admissions and there just wasn’t anything out there. We met Deb and we immediately knew that there IS a way to do this with her program.

Deborah speaks our language and can articulate our reality in a way that you just feel seen and heard. She also builds an interactive relationship of trust with the managers and care team staff, which created a level of buy in to the program like we haven’t seen before. Any operator that wants to make themselves a better organization will buy into the concept.

Audrey Clancy

Director of Administration, Father Lacombe Care Society

Create a Culture of Connection and Collaboration in Seniors’ Care

  • Create a culture where everyone feels respected and understood; staff, residents, and families alike.
  • Give your team the tools they need to handle tough emotional moments with confidence and compassion.
  • Move beyond tasks and build real relationships that make care more meaningful for everyone involved.

Take the first step toward redefining care through connection. Join the movement to create thriving, relationship-centered seniors’ care built on empathy, trust, and collaboration.

LET'S CHAT ABOUT
YOUR HOME'S NEEDS