Long Term Care: THEN AND NOW

Ever said, “Just give me back the good old days”? Let’s take a look at what was good about those old days.

The year is 1990. The “new” OBRA regulations had just gone into effect. Our world of long term care was reeling and we were very busy trying to get our hands around what were the items the surveyors would be asking. Sure, we had regulations, but we were pretty comfortable with them and had learned how to work with surveyors successfully.

We were giving good care with the knowledge we had at that time. Most of the elderly folks presented with physical limitations. Those limitations were in ambulation, transferring and eating and we knew how to help them.

Many nursing homes were small and family owned where everyone knew the residents and their families from their community. Often the owner and the staff were personal friends with the folks from the community. The care was truly focused on the person.

Times have changed...or have they?

Contact us today to receive a complimentary copy of Long Term Care practices still used today! Clearing out my VHS tapes and would like to see them used if you still have a VHS player!

REGULATIONS: The laws governing nursing homes haven’t changed since 1990. We have learned how to meet those requirements. We have learned how to support our practice with evidence-based information. I often hear caregivers agree that the regulations speak to the kind of care they want for themselves when and if they become “residents”.

KNOWLEDGE: Sure there are new techniques and new approaches that we have learned. But we now have computers where we can find information with the click of a key. We have education available from a much wider variety of sources to keep us “up to date”.

STAFF: As I travel the country I continue to find the vast majority of staff members do care deeply for those entrusted to their care. Yes, the facilities are now owned by big companies, but the staff are still from the community they serve; they still know the folks as the people from their community.

RESIDENTS: Sure, the physical acuity of our residents has increased drastically. The number of residents with cognitive loss has compounded the challenges we are now asked to meet. But they are still folks from our community. They still are seeking to be known as individuals.

WHAT HASN’T CHANGED? We are still people caring for people. The residents are still looking for someone to know them and provide care that meets their needs.

The “good” we talk about from the “old days” is the same now as it was back then. I believe if we focus on our service to the people we will find the exact things that were important “back then” are still the things that make the difference.

In the final analysis it’s not about focusing on meeting regulations but on meeting the needs of people. That focus worked back in 1990 and it works today.

Clearing out my stock of VHS tapes - so contact us today to receive a complimentary copy of Long Term Care practices still in use today.

VISITS WITH VALUE!

Diana Waugh has presented the VISITS WITH VAUE program more than 35 times to over 3000 enthusiastic long term care providers in 13 states.

One of her rewarding events was when she traveled with the Alzheimer's Association of the Great Plains speaking at four locations across Nebraska and Wyoming to over 150 family members and 240 long term care healthcare professionals.

She was also interviewed by Cathy Blythe of KFOR in Lincoln, NE. It was energetic and helpful. Here's the link to listen to a portion of that interview.

As expected, Diana offered many practical and immediately useable tips to assist staff members in teaching residents' families and friends how to have successful conversations with their loved one with cognitive loss. Maintaining a calm contented atmosphere during visits leads to increased resident and family satisfaction.

Although each recommendation is priceless (just ask Diana!) here are a few that Diana would suggest that you commit to memory:

1. Empower families by explaining that short-term memory questions often lead to increased anxiety for the resident.

2. Encourage families to refrain from the use of the words "NO" and "DO YOU REMEMBER?"

3. Help families explore the remaining strengths their loved one possesses. Often the focus is on what's missing not on what strengths the resident still exhibits.

4. Teach families through demonstration of successful conversation techniques utilizing the resident's long term memories.

5. Assist family members with their homework to capture the stories and likes of their loved one.

What Would You Do if....

1. A resident continues to ask for their husband who is deceased.

Diana would suggest you teach them to say "Tell me the neatest thing about your husband." Reminiscing with good memories about their loved one will fill their five minute concentration span with pleasant memories while the hope is they will leave the topic contented.

2. A family is distressed because their mother doesn't remember the new grand child.

Diana suggests that you use the phrase "I was thinking about my new grand child, Tommy." If their mother recalls the child they will join in the conversation. If not, the story belongs to the family member and does not demand that their mother "remember."

Diana's DVD VISITS WITH VALUE gives additional tips as you demonstrate your knowledge as a dementia expert with family members.

Want to ask Diana a specific question? Visit her CONTACT US page and ask away!