In years past, the thoughts of a person in a "nursing home" rendered pictures of an elderly person sitting alone in a darkened room waiting for someone to take them to supper.
The hallways, cafeteria, and many of the rooms had little to offer to make one feel at home.
Even the staff for the most part, seemed, too busy or preoccupied to care about individual needs.
I recall visiting my grandmother several times in the evening in a rather large home for elderly residents.
She would be clean and neat with probably all of her essential needs met.
However, she was clearly not comfortable with her surroundings.
When asked how she was, I knew she would never complain.
"Grandmother, how are you doing? You look beautiful today.
Are they taking good care of you here?" "I am doing fine," she would reply.
"Everything is nice here.
Everyone here is very good to me.
" I knew my grandmother; she would reassure me regardless of her circumstance.
Her long, beautiful wavy hair had been tightly pulled back with clips, and her fingernails were in need of trimming.
Supper was a cold cheese and mayo sandwich on white bread and a glass of juice or punch.
Thankfully, in most cases, there have been good guidelines set in place to protect individuals and insure better care.
Modern facilities are designed not only to meet the physical needs but also the felt needs of each resident.
One trend is to make caregiving individual by personalized care planning.
Here are a few guidelines I found at one home.
I was impressed that such individual care could be provided and encouraged at the difference this could make.
1.
Learn her favorite colors.
If she always chooses her blue dress, find other items in that color she could wear.
Or find a warm throw or pillow case in blue.
2.
For a man, find out what aftershave he used to use.
Perhaps he misses that familiar fragrance.
How simple to use a little aftershave to give him a pleasant memory.
For a lady, does she have a favorite fragrance? Find out if she wants perfumes or other fragrances in her room.
Check to see if there are allergies or sensitivities to certain products.
3.
Room temperature.
Set the temperature in the patient's room for them, not according to how you feel.
Be sensitive to their need of a wrap or fan.
Remember, they will be in that room much of the day, you will not.
Set it for them.
4.
If a chart says the patient needs help transferring, and they say differently, visit with them about it.
You may find that they decided to transfer by themselves, then fall and forget that it happened.
They may think they are okay by themselves when they are not.
You cannot totally rely on the patient's response.
5.
Does the patient like pets? Many facilities now have resident cats or dogs.
These animals provide warmth and a sense of home to the residents.
Here again, be careful of allergies.
6.
What are their favorite foods? If you are serving cottage cheese, for instance, would it be enjoyed more with a little fruit? Would the bread be easier for them to handle if it were toasted? Small changes may provide better nutrition.
7.
Learn their favorite television shows.
Make note of the time it comes on and help them look forward to that time each day.
Make note of what they do not like such as loud music or mysteries or news.
Of course, no extended care facility will be as individual with their approach as you are at home.
They do not have staff for 24hour hands-on care.
However, these personalized patient care guides will go a long way to make your loved one feel wanted, safe, and cared for.
They will help give you peace of mind when you are away from them.
If you are called upon to find long-term care for a loved one, ask about the personal care planning they provide for their residents.
Walk through the home; does it feel warm and pleasant? Do the residents seem content? If you are still caring for someone at home, I hope these few ideas will help you consider your own situation.
Do you see any simple steps you can take today to make life more comfortable and rewarding for others? I learned to consider others in the room when I adjust the temperature; especially if someone is confined to a chair or bed and not active.
The hallways, cafeteria, and many of the rooms had little to offer to make one feel at home.
Even the staff for the most part, seemed, too busy or preoccupied to care about individual needs.
I recall visiting my grandmother several times in the evening in a rather large home for elderly residents.
She would be clean and neat with probably all of her essential needs met.
However, she was clearly not comfortable with her surroundings.
When asked how she was, I knew she would never complain.
"Grandmother, how are you doing? You look beautiful today.
Are they taking good care of you here?" "I am doing fine," she would reply.
"Everything is nice here.
Everyone here is very good to me.
" I knew my grandmother; she would reassure me regardless of her circumstance.
Her long, beautiful wavy hair had been tightly pulled back with clips, and her fingernails were in need of trimming.
Supper was a cold cheese and mayo sandwich on white bread and a glass of juice or punch.
Thankfully, in most cases, there have been good guidelines set in place to protect individuals and insure better care.
Modern facilities are designed not only to meet the physical needs but also the felt needs of each resident.
One trend is to make caregiving individual by personalized care planning.
Here are a few guidelines I found at one home.
I was impressed that such individual care could be provided and encouraged at the difference this could make.
1.
Learn her favorite colors.
If she always chooses her blue dress, find other items in that color she could wear.
Or find a warm throw or pillow case in blue.
2.
For a man, find out what aftershave he used to use.
Perhaps he misses that familiar fragrance.
How simple to use a little aftershave to give him a pleasant memory.
For a lady, does she have a favorite fragrance? Find out if she wants perfumes or other fragrances in her room.
Check to see if there are allergies or sensitivities to certain products.
3.
Room temperature.
Set the temperature in the patient's room for them, not according to how you feel.
Be sensitive to their need of a wrap or fan.
Remember, they will be in that room much of the day, you will not.
Set it for them.
4.
If a chart says the patient needs help transferring, and they say differently, visit with them about it.
You may find that they decided to transfer by themselves, then fall and forget that it happened.
They may think they are okay by themselves when they are not.
You cannot totally rely on the patient's response.
5.
Does the patient like pets? Many facilities now have resident cats or dogs.
These animals provide warmth and a sense of home to the residents.
Here again, be careful of allergies.
6.
What are their favorite foods? If you are serving cottage cheese, for instance, would it be enjoyed more with a little fruit? Would the bread be easier for them to handle if it were toasted? Small changes may provide better nutrition.
7.
Learn their favorite television shows.
Make note of the time it comes on and help them look forward to that time each day.
Make note of what they do not like such as loud music or mysteries or news.
Of course, no extended care facility will be as individual with their approach as you are at home.
They do not have staff for 24hour hands-on care.
However, these personalized patient care guides will go a long way to make your loved one feel wanted, safe, and cared for.
They will help give you peace of mind when you are away from them.
If you are called upon to find long-term care for a loved one, ask about the personal care planning they provide for their residents.
Walk through the home; does it feel warm and pleasant? Do the residents seem content? If you are still caring for someone at home, I hope these few ideas will help you consider your own situation.
Do you see any simple steps you can take today to make life more comfortable and rewarding for others? I learned to consider others in the room when I adjust the temperature; especially if someone is confined to a chair or bed and not active.
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