Disinfection of Senior/Assisted Living Long-Term Care Facilities for Prevention of Legionnaires' Disease: Efficacy of a Novel Short Course (30-day) Treatment with Copper-silver Ionization

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. E151-E152 ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth R. A. Beattie ◽  
JunAh Song ◽  
Shane LaGore

Wandering, a challenging behavior associated with dementia, affects many residents of long-term care facilities and can result in elopement, injury, and death. Most studies of wandering have taken place in nursing homes (NH). Expansion of the long-term care sector over the last 2 decades has resulted in a surge in options such as assisted living facilities (ALF). This study compared wandering behavior of residents (N = 108) in 21 long-term care facilities (15 NH, 6 ALF). Staff used the Revised Algase Wandering Scale-Nursing Home Version (RAWS-NH) to quantify wandering. While there were some differences in demographic variables (i.e., race, motor ability) between NH and ALF participants, no significant differences were found in either RAWS-NH overall or any of the 6 subscale scores. This suggests that the expression of wandering is similar in long-term care residents across all dimensions of the RAWS-NH regardless of facility type. Findings are of concern for those involved in the safe management and protection of residents at risk for wandering, particularly in long-term care facilities with underregulated staffing and training requirements.


2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482090201
Author(s):  
Katherine A. Kennedy ◽  
Cassandra L. Hua ◽  
Ian Nelson

Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have received regulatory attention in relation to their emergency preparedness. Yet, assisted living settings (ALs) have not experienced such interest due to their classification as a state-regulated, home- and community-based service. However, the growth in the number of ALs and increased resident acuity levels suggest that existing disaster preparedness policies, and therefore, plans, lag behind those of SNFs. We examined differences in emergency preparedness policies between Ohio’s SNFs and ALs. Data were drawn from the 2015 wave of the Ohio Biennial Survey of Long-Term Care Facilities. Across setting types, most aspects of preparedness were similar, such as written plans, specifications for evacuation, emergency drills, communication procedures, and preparations for expected hazards. Despite these similarities, we found SNFs were more prepared than large ALs in some key areas, most notably being more likely to have a backup generator and 7 days of pharmacy stocks and generator fuel.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 579-579
Author(s):  
Nazmus Sakib ◽  
Joseph June ◽  
Lindsay Peterson

Abstract Loneliness is a common problem in long-term care. It has been associated with a higher risk of depression, aggressive behaviors, and anxiety and may be a risk factor for cognitive decline. Loneliness can exacerbate social isolation. The COVID-19 emergency brought on measures in Florida, beginning in March 2020, to separate nursing home (NH) and assisted living community (ALC) residents from each other and family members to limit virus spread. This study examines results of a survey with Florida NH (N=59) and ALC (N=117) administrators concerning effects of these measures. Scaled (1-5, lowest to highest) data indicate that resident anxiety was higher in NHs (M=3.40) than ALCs (M=3.17). Care disruptions related to limited resident-to-resident contact also were worse in NHs (M=3.74) than in ALCs (M=3.21), while care disruptions related to loss of family support were higher among ALCs (M=3.19) than in NHs (M=2.86). Implications of these findings will be discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 769-769
Author(s):  
Paris Strom

Abstract This presentation hypothesizes that an innovative collaboration by the adult generations will be necessary to enable conditions needed for family success in a longevity society. Unprecedented challenges of parents and grandparents are examined. Reasons why adults have to regard youth as a source of learning about their unique experiences in an age-separated society are explained. International curriculum development studies to support families of children from birth through adolescence are described. A curriculum that provides a common knowledge base about child and adolescent guidance is proposed to harmonize efforts of adults to support younger relatives. Curriculum for retirees should focus on continuing responsibilities other generations expect of them, learning about the lives of younger family members, and gaining awareness of parenting practices to reinforce lessons. Training volunteers in assisted living and long-term care facilities to be indigenous leaders of grandparent classes is discussed as a practical way to offer relevant learning and improve social support. Instruments are examined that assess ethnic relationships between adult generations, adults and adolescents, and track results of education intervention.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathy Lee ◽  
Rebecca L Mauldin ◽  
Weizhou Tang ◽  
John Connolly ◽  
Joseph Harwerth ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Objectives The purpose of this project was to examine individual-level ethnic and racial differences and facility-level differences in types of complaints and rates of complaint resolution in a local long-term care ombudsman program. Research Design and Methods We employed a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design. First, we analyzed secondary complaint data based on residents’ race and ethnicity (n = 464) and facility characteristics (n = 101). We then conducted 2 focus groups with ombudsmen (n = 12) to provide context for our quantitative findings and to explore the ombudsmen’s views on disparities in long-term care facilities. Results Racial and ethnic minority residents were more likely to generate complaints related to residents’ rights than nonminority residents. Assisted living facilities were more likely to have complaints related to residents’ rights and outside agencies than nursing homes. The rate of complaint resolution increased among facilities with a higher proportion of minority residents, compared to facilities with a lower proportion of minority residents. However, an estimation of cross-level interaction revealed that non-Hispanic White residents in these facilities experienced faster complaint resolution than minority residents. Ombudsmen expressed concerns about communication barriers between minority residents and facility staff and discussed different complaint types and resolution rates according to facility types. Discussion and Implications Our findings highlight disparities across long-term care facilities as well as disparities in care minority residents experience. Long-term care ombudsman program complaint data should be disaggregated by race and ethnicity of the residents to advocate for policy change at facility, state, and federal levels.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 158-159
Author(s):  
Carolyn Ham ◽  
Mikiko Nakamura

Abstract Long-term care facilities (LTCF) have been disproportionately impacted by illness and death from COVID-19. Shortages of respirators for staff, especially Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators (N95), have limited LTCFs ability to follow public health recommendations for preventing COVID-19 transmission. Use of N95 respirators was infrequent in Washington State (WA) LTCFs prior to May 2020. N95 respirators must be individually fit tested to provide intended protection; a fit test is a procedure that tests the seal between the N95 respirator and the wearer’s face. The WA Department of Health (WA DOH), collaborated with stakeholders to survey LTCFs in November 2020 regarding needs for fit tested respirators and analyzed responses (n=384). Responses by facility type: 8.3% nursing homes, 17.7% assisted living, 62.8% adult family home, 11.2% other. In WA, adult family homes (AFH) are licensed for six or fewer residents. 23.70% of LTCFs indicated they did not have any N95 respirators in stock at their facility; 96.7% of these were AFH. In August 2020 WA DOH surveyed AFH owners and received 110 responses; 9.76% reported having at least one staff member fit tested for respirators. Smaller facilities may experience increased burden in accessing N95 respirators and fit testing due to lack of established relationships with suppliers and small volumes being purchased. WA DOH used federal COVID funding to contract with mobile fit testing providers and prioritized AFHs for this service. Between December 1, 2020-February 28, 2021, staff at 290 LTCFs were fit tested. The project will continue throughout 2021.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document