About From The Heart Supportive Care
From The Heart Supportive Care is an independent supportive-care practice specializing in individualized support for older adults experiencing cognitive or functional change, responsive behaviour expressions, delirium and complex aging.
Our practice is built on more than 35 years of experience in behavioural support and cognitive and functional care, spanning both cognitive development and cognitive decline. Working across these very different stages of cognitive ability has shaped a deep understanding of the relationship between regulation, behaviour, communication, participation and function.
Throughout that experience, one principle has remained consistent: what a person is able to do — and how they communicate, respond and participate — can look very different depending on their health, environment, emotional state, cognitive ability and level of regulation.
From The Heart Supportive Care brings that understanding into individualized, one-to-one care. Rather than looking only at a behaviour, expression, refusal or difficulty occurring in a single moment, our approach to functional support considers the fuller picture of the person — what has changed, what may be contributing, what abilities remain accessible and what conditions help that individual succeed.
The goal is to support regulation, meaningful participation and continued access to existing abilities — helping the person remain connected to daily life, relationships and the things that matter to them, while supporting dignity, independence and quality of life.
Meet Lynda Heaslip
Restorative Engagement Specialist | PSW | PCW
For more than 35 years, my professional work has been rooted in behavioural support and cognitive care across the care continuum, from cognitive and functional development through cognitive or functional change and decline.
Working across this continuum has revealed important overlapping parallels in how regulation can influence behaviour, communication, participation and a person's ability to access and use existing abilities. While the circumstances and needs may be very different, I have repeatedly observed how behaviour can communicate something a person may not always be able to express in words — and how ability can look very different depending on the conditions surrounding a person.
These observations have shaped the way I approach cognitive care today.
Rather than viewing a responsive behaviour expression, refusal, change in function or apparent loss of ability in isolation, I look more broadly at what has changed, what may be contributing, what the person may be communicating, what abilities remain accessible and what helps that individual succeed.
My professional experience is supported by formal education in Restorative Therapies, Gerontology, Human Behaviour, Personal Support, Pastoral Care and Palliative Care, together with extensive continuing education in dementia, responsive behaviour support, delirium, mental health, restorative approaches and complex aging. Additional specialized education and training have been completed through McMaster University, the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing and the Alzheimer Society.
Our Commitment to Continued Learning
At From The Heart Supportive Care, we believe knowledge and hands-on experience go hand in hand.
While years of practical experience have shaped our approach, we recognize the importance of continuing to learn as research and understanding evolve.
Areas of Continued Professional Study
*Neuroscience & Neuroplasticity* Exploring how the brain functions, adapts, learns, and maintains access to abilities. *Cognitive & Functional Change* Understanding changes in thinking, memory, communication, initiation, and everyday function. *Responsive Behaviour & Behavioural Support* Exploring the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and environmental factors that influence behaviour expressions and supportive responses. *Neuropsychology* Understanding the relationship between brain function, cognition, emotions, personality, and behaviour. *Sensory Processing & Regulation* Exploring how sensory experiences influence comfort, emotional regulation, behaviour, and participation. *Delirium & Acute Cognitive Change* Understanding sudden changes in cognition and function, the importance of recognizing changes from baseline, and supportive non-pharmacological approaches. *Trauma-Informed Care* Understanding how past experiences, emotional safety, and perceived threats can influence trust, communication, and responses to care. *Restorative & Functional Support* Exploring approaches that support retained abilities, meaningful participation, and access to everyday function.