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During
a recent project, FRIA researched nursing home best practices.
The following are just some of the practices that we found providers
using to improve the lives of nursing home residents. These
practices address the main problem areas that concern families and
suggest a new attitude toward caring for nursing home residents.
Adopting practices like these can be the first steps toward a new
approach in your relative's home.
This list is only a selection of what we have gathered. There are
many more provider-initiated, recognized "best practices";
in books, libraries, videos and family accounts and experiences.
Avoid Weight Loss & Dehydration
- Mobile snack
carts,
- Finger food
snacks,
- Appetizing
smells and sights of family style meals
- Self-serve
juice dispensers,
- Clear pitchers
to remind residents to drink
- Warm tea
and broth as alternatives to ice water
Calm Agitation in Alzheimer’s Patients
- Staggered
staff shifts for easier transitions
- Rocking
chairs
-
Touch therapy and massage with aroma therapy
- Evening
activity and exercise for "night owls"
- Bathing
techniques that allay fear
Make Surroundings more Homelike
- Convert
long hall units into smaller households or neighborhoods
- Carpet floors
(this can also serve to reduce injury from falls,)
- Substitute
cell phones and pagers for PA systems and call bells
- Add plants
and pets
- Put out
candles, linen, and champagne when residents invite guests on
special occasions
- Extend breakfast
times for early and late risers
Avoid Isolation / Increase Engagement
- Hold "community
meetings" with song and ritual
- Assign staff
to socialize with residents at family style meals
- Invite civic
meetings, school performances, day care programs into the nursing
home
- Expand volunteer
programs
Meet Needs of Special Populations
- Outings
for ventilator dependent residents
- Day programming
for Alzheimer's residents
- Regular
menu and activity alternatives reflecting different cultural backgrounds
Use the Best Established Clinical Standards
- Hospice/end
of life care program
- Multi-disciplined
pressure sore prevention program (including nutrition, skin care
repositioning reminders, family/volunteer monitoring)
The above examples are practices that have been tried in other facilities
that have been shown to be successful in improving care for residents.
As families and friends of residents, FRIA believes that you can be
a driving force in bringing these kinds of innovative and proven ideas
to your relative’s nursing home. This effort can be successful if
you bring to it commitment and a willingness to work collaboratively
with other consumers, nursing home staff and administrators. |
