Improving Quality of Life in Long-Term Care

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret P. Calkins ◽  
Jennifer Brush
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Staff Training ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Assisted Living Facilities ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Management Structure

Abstract The entire field of long-term care is under tremendous pressure to change. Traditional environmental approaches based on staff-centric or medical models are no longer considered appropriate in long-term care settings. The new emphasis is on person-centered or self-directed care. This is reflected in settings where people can live comfortably and feel at home, as opposed to feeling like they are in a hospital. Increasingly, nursing homes are working to be more like assisted living facilities, which emphasize privacy, dignity, and choice. These changes affect all aspects of care from structure of governance to staff training to management structure and facility design. This article will cover the issues and the possible solutions to ensuring that long-term care living is more like a home than a hospital.

A Comparison of Wandering Behavior in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth R. A. Beattie ◽  
JunAh Song ◽  
Shane LaGore
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Challenging Behavior ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Assisted Living Facilities ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Training Requirements ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Staffing And Training

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.

Ethical Considerations in the Conduct of Electronic Surveillance Research

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 611-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashok J. Bharucha ◽  
Alex John London ◽  
David Barnard ◽  
Howard Wactlar ◽  
Mary Amanda Dew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Living ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Assisted Living Facilities ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Baby Boomer Generation ◽  
Demographic Shifts

Nearly 2.5 million Americans currently reside in nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the United States, accounting for approximately five percent of persons sixty-five and older. The aging of the “Baby Boomer” generation is expected to lead to an exponential growth in the need for some form of long-term care (LTC) for this segment of the population within the next twenty-five years. In light of these sobering demographic shifts, there is an urgency to address the profound concerns that exist about the quality-of-care (QoC) and quality-of-life (QoL) of this frailest segment of our population.

scholarly journals INTEREST GROUP SESSION—RESEARCH IN QUALITY OF CARE: LIVING IN AND LEAVING NURSING HOMES: THE FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO QUALITY OF LIFE, HEALTH, AND SAFETY OUTCOMES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S359-S359
Author(s):  
Nancy Kusmaul ◽  
Mercedes Bern-Klug
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Nursing homes house some of the most vulnerable older adults. They often have complex medical conditions and/or cognitive impairments that put them at risk for negative outcomes and poor quality of life. These outcomes can be altered through incorporating evidence-based practices aimed to improve care and residents’ life experiences. In this symposium we will explore factors that are shown to influence outcomes and quality of life for people that live in and are discharged from, long term care settings. Amy Roberts and colleagues will explore the influences of nursing home social service staff qualifications on residents’ discharge outcomes. Colleen Galambos and colleagues will present findings on advance directives and their impact on reducing potentially avoidable hospitalizations. Kelsey Simons and colleagues will discuss the potential for unmet needs for mental health services as part of nursing home care transitions, and will discuss a model of quality improvement that addresses this gap in care. Vivian Miller will present findings on the impact transportation access has on the ability of community-dwelling family members to visit and provide social support to their family member residents in long-term care. Finally, Nancy Kusmaul and Gretchen Tucker report the findings of their study comparing perceptions of nursing home residents, direct care staff, management, and families on the care practices that influence resident health and quality of life while they live in a long term care setting.

scholarly journals Comparing residential long-term care regulations between nursing homes and assisted living facilities

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison M. Trinkoff ◽  
Jung Min Yoon ◽  
Carla L. Storr ◽  
Nancy B. Lerner ◽  
Bo Kyum Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Assisted Living Facilities ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Residential Long Term Care

scholarly journals Monitoring changes in the organization of Dutch long-term care and their effects on the mental health and wellbeing of people with dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
H van der Roest ◽  
M Prins ◽  
J van Erp ◽  
E Hartstra ◽  
A van der Schot
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Behavioral Symptoms ◽  
Term Care ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background The 'Living Arrangements for People with Dementia (LAFD)' monitor-study aims to provide insight into effects of changes in the organization of Dutch long-term care for people with dementia. The objective of this study is to evaluate changes over time in the level of cognitive impairment, the frequency and severity of behavioral symptoms, and quality of life of residents with dementia, and changes in staffing levels. The study allows for detection of trends and developments that are relevant for the quality of nursing home care. Methods The LAFD-study is a repeated cross-sectional study. Since 2008, assessments have been conducted in participating nursing homes every two year. Up to 2020, five assessments have been completed. The number of participating nursing homes over time ranged from 47 to 144 and a sample of one third of residents was included in the study. Data collection was performed by care professionals. Cognitive impairment was assessed with the Cognitive Performance Scale, frequency and severity of behavioral symptoms were assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory; quality of life was assessed with de Qualidem. Per nursing home, the amount of direct provided care was inventoried. Results Assessments up to 2017/2018 showed an improvement in cognitive functioning and quality of life in Dutch nursing homes. The amount of behavioral problems did not change, as did the amount of direct care. However, the level of professional caregivers increased slightly. In the last assessment, 53 nursing homes participated, and 668 residents were included. The fast majority of participants was over 80 years of age (67.1%) and 68.5% were female. The data are currently being further analyzed and presented at the conference. Conclusions There is a trend of improvement in cognitive functioning and quality of life up to 2018. The most recent assessment will indicate whether these positive trends continue.

scholarly journals Consumer Satisfaction in Long-Term Care: State Initiatives in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 883-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Lowe ◽  
J. A. Lucas ◽  
N. G. Castle ◽  
J. P. Robinson ◽  
S. Crystal
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Consumer Satisfaction ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Assisted Living Facilities ◽  
Term Care ◽  
State Initiatives

Abstract P326: Health Status and Frailty in Assisted Living and Nursing Home Residents

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amrit Kanwar ◽  
Ryan J Lennon ◽  
Kalyan Ghanta ◽  
Mandeep Singh ◽  
Veronique L Roger
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Physical Component Score ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Component Score ◽  
Sf 36

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and relationship of frailty and health status measures among residents of long-term care [nursing homes (NH) and assisted living (AL)] facilities. Resident and methods: Residents ≥ 65 years who are residents of NH and AL facilities at La Crosse county, Wisconsin, were assessed for frailty (gait speed, unintended weight loss, and grip strength), comorbidity (Charlson index), and quality of life (QOL) [Short Form (SF)-36]. Results: Among 96 participants (57 from NH and 39 from AL), 78% were frail. The prevalence of frailty (77% vs. 79%), comorbidity (2.0 vs. 2.0), and poor health status did not differ between residents of NH and AL living facilities. Frail residents were older and had higher comorbidity index (2.0 vs. 0, p=0.02), including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart failure. Frailty had the strongest correlation with the SF-36 Physical Component Score (r=-0.45), Figure. It exhibited weaker associations with comorbidity and the SF-36 Mental Component Score. Overall, SF-36 for physical component was lower among frail residents (33 vs. 48, p<0.001). Following adjustments by linear regression, compared to those without frailty, frail residents had lower adjusted quality of life scores. Conclusion: Frailty was highly prevalent among residents of long-term care facilities and did not differ between NH and AL facilities. We noted significant correlations between frailty, comorbid conditions, and poor quality of life.

scholarly journals Information and Communication Technology Changes in Long-Term Care Due to COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 219-219
Author(s):  
Amy Schuster ◽  
Shelia Cotten
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Assisted Living Facilities ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Ict Use

Abstract Residents of long-term care (LTC) facilities (e.g., nursing homes, assisted living facilities) have historically been vulnerable to feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, LTC facilities were required to restrict public access in March 2020. LTC communities were not prepared for the residents’ increased socioemotional needs which arose because of the mandated facility lockdown. This study investigated ICT use in LTC facilities and how ICTs are being used by residents since the onset of the COVID19 pandemic. Seventy LTC administrators in South Carolina (12 nursing homes and 58 assisted living facilities) completed an online survey exploring ICT access and use in LTC facilities and whether access and use changed as a result of COVID-19. Administrators from fifty-three percent of LTC facilities reported purchasing ICTs for their residents to use for communicating with family members and telehealth since the onset of COVID-19. LTC administrators reported that using the ICTs helped residents to socialize more frequently and feel more socially connected to their family members, friends and/or other residents. Barriers to ICT use included staff not having time to assist residents with technology, broken technology, and residents not wanting to share technology. LTC facilities were not adequately prepared to support the socioemotional needs of their residents in the event of a federally mandated facility lockdown. Future research should investigate the ICTs available for residents’ use in a national sample of LTC facilities and how LTC administrators adapted the ICTs available as a result of their experiences with COVID-19.

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