Sometimes, infection prevention can feel at odds with person-centred care. PPE, isolation protocols, and cleaning routines can seem like barriers to connection. But our experience has shown that when done thoughtfully, IPAC actually enhances the Butterfly Approach. It allows residents to live safely, participate fully, and experience meaningful moments without unnecessary risk.

Good leadership is essential in making this balance work. It starts with vision and courage—helping the team see that infection prevention isn’t just about rules, it’s about protecting what matters most: our residents’ health, dignity, and quality of life. Even in challenging moments, a leader’s confidence and clarity help staff feel supported and purposeful.

Empathy and presence are equally important. Wearing PPE or following safety protocols can feel impersonal, but leaders who model compassion—who listen, encourage, and find creative ways to connect safely—show staff and residents that care and safety can coexist.

Leadership in this context also requires collaboration and trust. IPAC and emotional care cannot succeed in isolation. Every member of the team—nurses, PSWs, recreation, dietary, housekeeping—plays a vital role. By involving staff in problem-solving, celebrating successes, and addressing concerns openly, we build a culture of shared responsibility and pride.

Finally, consistency and accountability ensure that our vision becomes a reality. Infection prevention practices are integrated seamlessly into daily routines, not as obstacles, but as tools that support meaningful care. Staff see these measures as part of creating a safe, thriving environment where residents can fully engage in life’s moments.

Since adopting the Butterfly Approach, we’ve witnessed a remarkable shift. Residents are not just cared for—they are truly lived with. Staff feel more connected to their work, and IPAC is no longer viewed as a separate set of rules, but as an essential component of a home where safety and joy coexist.

Our success proves that transformation takes a whole team. Infection prevention is not a barrier—it is one of the foundations that allows person-centred, emotion-focused care to flourish. Together, we are creating a culture where care is not only excellent but heartfelt.

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Mary, Did You Know? Lyrics

Mary did you know That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered Will soon deliver you

Mary did you know That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby You’ve kissed the face of God

Mary, did you know? The blind will see
The deaf will hear And the dead will live again
The lame will leap The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary did you know That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know That your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding Is the Great I Am

Oh, Mary, did you know?

Songwriter Mark Lowry, Music by Buddy Greene. Published by © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.,

The lyrics of “Mary, Did You Know?” stir our hearts with some of the deepest mysteries of Christmas.  For Christians, this is a mystery beyond our comprehension, though it stands at the centre of Christian faith. During the Christmas season, we ponder the mystery of God becoming human and marvel at the grace of God.

I would have to say that this is probably my favourite Christmas song.  There is something about the lyrics of this song that connects deeply within me.  When I think of Mary, a young woman called by God to do an extraordinary human task.  I am sure that like many of us who have given birth, she would have felt vulnerable and anxious, as well as full of wonder and amazement at the tiny human she held in her arms.  As Mary rocked her baby to sleep, night after night, did she wonder what it would all mean, how her child’s life would play out in all its detail?  This was just the beginning, and she could not know what the future held for her son Jesus.  Her story demonstrates though that she did have a strong faith and was open to possibilities (hope!). 

Like most years, 2022 has had its challenges for all of us.  While we don’t know what awaits us in the future, my wish for you this Christmas season is that you will be filled with the wonder of possibilities and hope for the future in the year ahead.

“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.”

Agnes M. Pahro

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