INDUSTRY INSIGHT
Senior Care
Sponsored Content
Person-Centered
Care In The Long
Term Care Setting
By Lisa Anderson, Vice President of
Community Outreach, Brevillier Village
Y
Y
ou may have heard of “patient-centered care” in regards to
physician and hospital care. What about “person-centered
care?” Also previously known as “culture change” this concept
is changing how we provide long term care in skilled nursing and
personal care communities.
Person-centered care focuses more on the choices and control
a resident has when they live in long-term care communities. The
resident is at the center of the care plan and goal setting and they
actually direct their care. This requires a great deal of listening by
the caregiver, not just letting the person talk but really listening,
observing and getting to know the person. By knowing the resident
well, this allows their needs to be met regardless of their cognitive
ability. This could be as simple as asking what time they are used to
getting up in the morning, asking them what they would like to wear
that day or what time they would prefer their shower or bath. Choice
and decision-making empowers people and makes them feel valued
and their life meaningful.
At Brevillier Village we have implemented some person-centered
improvements in day-to-day routines. They are relatively simple, but
make a world of difference to residents. For example, at meal time
we offer the choice to residents of whether they would like a beer or
glass of wine with their meal realizing that many people may have
had a cocktail to unwind when they came home from work.
Another example, is what time a resident gets up in the morning
and whether or not they choose to have breakfast and at what time?
We have residents that worked second or third shift a majority of
their working lives. Many of them may not get up until 9:00am or
later because that is what they did for 40 plus years and may not want
to have a big breakfast. For so many years, nursing home regulations
stated to wake residents up and make sure they ate breakfast at a
certain time everyday. A big, hot breakfast was offered and meal
percentages were recorded. The problem with this routine is if
someone that is in their 80’s or 90’s has not eaten a big breakfast for
most of their life, they probably can’t be re-programmed to do it now.
Person-centered care recognizes this, and offers an alternative that
the resident wants, such as a piece of toast, juice and coffee. Daily
nutritional requirements can then be fulfilled at other meals when
the person has a better appetite. Care is adapted to a resident’s wants
and needs. Historically, residents had to adapt to an institutional type
of routine and schedule.
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