12. Long-Term Care Flashcards
what is long term care? how many people use it?
refers to the entire continuum of care that ranges from receiving in-home help with daily tasks to institutionalized care
- 93% of older people are able to live in their own home
- 25% of which use in-home assistance (home care)
- 3% are in assisted living
- 4% are in nursing homes (long term care)
what is home care?
- broad array of medical and social services that are available to people who are still living in their own homes
- are provided by health care professionals, paid caregivers, and volunteers
- large percentage of home care is informal (13%), provided by family or friends
what are some benefits of home care?
- maintained sense of identity
- maintained sense of control and autonomy
- familiarity of surroundings and community
- prevention or delay of institutionalization
- more cost effective for the government
who is government funded home care used by most often?
those who:
- are single
- have lower income
- have more physical limitations
- had a recent hospitalization
what is assisted (supported) living?
provide government regulated housing with a supportive environment to adults who…
- have physical and functional health challenges
- can live independently (but not unaided)
- can make decisions on their own behalf (are fine cognitively)
what are the three ideal attributes of an assisted living facility?
-
physical space has a residential appearance/feel
- provides personal space (full private bathroom)
- access to shared indoor and outdoor spaces
-
“care” provided to promote normal lifestyle of resident
- understanding of residents’ personal preferences and priorities
- allows residents to have control, choice, dignity, and autonomy
-
meeting residents’ routine services and special needs
- assistance with activities of daily living
- meal provision
- 24 hour assistance if necessary
what contributes to greater well being after a transition to assisted living?
- greater control over transition
- design of facility and services optimizes person/environment fit
- smaller sized facilities
- positive co-resident relationships
- co-residents with similar levels of functioning
- few residents with high levels of frailty
- frequent family contact
- moving from a hospital or other assisted living facility (not moving from home)
how are retirement homes paid for?
- also called independent living
- completely paid out of pocket
- around 5,000 a month, 60,000 a year
- have to pay extra for assisted living services
what are nursing homes?
- government regulated medical institution that provides a room, meals, skilled nursing and rehabilitative care, medical services, and protective supervision
- provincial and federal legislations establish a minimum level of care
- residents have multiple health conditions and/or moderate/severe cognitive impairment (dementias)
- often extremely frail
- temporary residents include those recovering from major injuries, illness, or surgery
how can nursing homes be made to feel more like home?
- individuals given time and voice in the placement decision
- defining home predominantly in terms of family and social relationships
- developing continuity between home and nursing home through activities and living arrangements
what is elder abuse?
includes physical, sexual, and psychological abuse; financial exploitation; neglect; violation of rights
what are the attitudes condoning elder abuse due to?
- role conflict, role ambiguity & work overload predict burnout
- attitudes condoning abuse predicted by burnout, role conflict, & role ambiguity
what is the traditional medical model for nursing homes?
- hierarchical
- focused on physical needs
- routines for residents and front-line workers
- efficient, standardized, cost-drive, rule-compliant focus
- residents often isolated from family and community
what would a culture change for nursing homes entail?
- voices of residents and carers respected
- focused on emotional needs
- enables continued growth
- treat everyone as individuals
- restructuring of staff roles and responsibility
- encourages connections to family and community
what are the key principles of the eden alternative of nursing homes?
- close and continued contact with plants, animals and children
- daily life that includes variety and spontaneity
- maximizing decision making by elders and their families
- creating an elder-centred community focused on the well-being of elders and workers