Friday, June 1, 2012

Quality of Care in Nursing Homes

Long term care is becoming a great need.  Most elders who are unable to care for themselves are entering the realm of long term care facilities.  It can be an entirely new and different experience for them.  Since, they now have someone else in charge of providing everyday care to them.
Elderly are faced with dignity issues such as incontinence and independence.  Their entire day is already planned and set up for them such as, meal times and sleep times.
To uphold the dignity and independence of the elderly things needs to change.  Healthcare providers must ensure and place emphasis on this kind of population.  Instead of focusing simply on extending life, healthcare providers should focus on intensifying the quality of care and preserving the elderly dignity as they become more dependent.
Most elderly families are looking for a long term care facility that has a homely atmosphere.  This will make their love ones feel welcome and engage in purposeful living.  Instead of determining when an elderly should sleep, wake up or eat, how about asking them when they would like to do these things or at least give them some options to choose from.  In the long run they will feel that they have the upper hand and can make some decision regarding their everyday routines. 
Eventually, this will become a competition among long term care facilities, as attributes like those mentioned above will be in demand.  It is the little things that makes someone feels competent and worthwhile.  It is imperative that healthcare facilities treat each patient’s needs and wants separately.  This should bring about different results aiming to suit the patient’s quality of care.

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