Devora’s Story

She is an active member of the Residents’ Council in her home, she co-chairs a provincial Resident Advisory group with the Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils and she has been part of ISMP Canada’s Strengthening Medication Safety in Long-Term Care initiative since 2019.

Her strong advocacy comes from personal experience—moments that remind her just how critical medication safety is. Devora recalls one such moment vividly. “I try to keep informed about my medications,” she says. “And if I get something I don’t recognize in a little cup, I definitely ask questions.” That habit of vigilance made all the difference one day.

“I had an issue at one time where they gave me the wrong medication and I looked in that cup and I said to the nurse, ‘what’s this?’ and she said, ‘well that’s what you take’ and I said, ‘Oh no that’s not what I take.’  Devora didn’t stop there. She calmly but firmly asked the nurse for proof. “I asked her, ‘Could you please go to the computer, bring up my name and my picture, and you will see the list of medications I take?’” The nurse followed through, and sure enough, the error came to light. Devora’s attentiveness had caught a mistake that could have had serious consequences.

This moment wasn’t just about preventing a single error—it was about empowerment. Devora believes everyone has a role to play in ensuring medication safety. For her, this means not just advocating for her own care but encouraging others to do the same. Through her involvement with ISMP Canada, she works to inspire other long-term care residents to speak up, ask questions, and actively engage in their treatment.

“I try to keep informed about my medications,” Devora says. “And if I get something I don’t recognize in a little cup, I definitely ask questions.”