Business View - August 2015 137
that has stood the test of time.
BUSINESS VIEW: What were some of the reasons back
in 1919 that made the founders think this was what
they needed to do and this is the time to get it done?
RUBIN:
At the time, people were put into houses of
refuge (as long-term care homes were called then),
because they were often poor or didn’t have family to
look after them. The homes were like poorhouses, and
the people were often made to work -- yet they needed
care as well. So there were matrons that looked after
these people, but it certainly wasn’t the person-cen-
tered model of care that we support today.
BUSINESS VIEW: Talk about the association and the
role back then vs. the role now. Obviously, 96 years
changes some things and the realities today are far
different than they were back then. Can you talk
about how the organization’s role has changed over
the years?
RUBIN:
We now very much look at the person as a
whole, and person-
centered care is a
philosophy that per-
meates many long-
term care homes
and is a focal point
for our membership.
Our members also
continue to believe
very strongly in not-
for-profit
delivery.
They’re
mission-
driven and not bot-
tom-line driven, and
those values continue today. So they are very much
trying to support the individual. And they also support
each other. Being not-for-profit, they’re willing to share
with their colleagues, and share advice, support and
information in a way that makes the association a very
special environment.
BUSINESS VIEW: What sorts of numbers do you have
Dona Rubin
HEALTHCARE
