13 suggestions for residents to address concerns in an Assisted Living
1. Report the concern to the administrator verbally and in writing. Keep a copy of what you submit
2. If the issue is not of a private personal matter share the issue at the resident council meeting. Maybe there are others with a similar concern
3. Tell your family member or legal representative.
4. Call the Ombudsman with your concerns. Their number should be posted in the facility.
5. Submit a suggestion to the suggestion box for resolution of the issue.
6. Call the Corporate 1-800 number, often times a corporation will have a number for complaints.
7. Report the concern to the State Complaint Hot Line. Number should be posted in the facility.
8. Report your concern to your case manager, if you have one.
9. Share your concerns with the facility's licensed nurse.
10. Share your concerns with your minister.
11. Share your concerns with your doctor or therapist.
12. Document the date the problem started, the date you told someone about the issue, and the name of the person you told.
13. Check back in a reasonable amount of time with the individual you shared the concern with, to see what action has been taken.
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Thursday Thirteen
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Care Giver Training
This past week I was privileged to observe a training in a facility that the nurse was presenting to caregivers. Training was on resident rights. The question being discussed was how to balance resident rights with resident safety. A resident had a recliner lift chair and wished to have use of the controller. The staff were concerned she would accidentally flip herself out of the chair. One caregiver stated she had placed the controller beside the resident's leg and requested she call for assistance when she wanted to get out of the chair. Another caregiver stated that perhaps they could check on her hourly. Another caregiver volunteered and said "we need to include this on the service plan". Another caregiver suggested "lets ask the resident what she would like". By the end of the training almost everyone present had contributed something about the care for this resident.
Observing interaction between care giving staff and trainers is a another means to evaluate a facility and how they provide for residents. When the caregivers are engaged in the decisions about the care they provide and feel they are being listened to then it is a good probability you will see the care givers listening to what residents are saying.
Observing interaction between care giving staff and trainers is a another means to evaluate a facility and how they provide for residents. When the caregivers are engaged in the decisions about the care they provide and feel they are being listened to then it is a good probability you will see the care givers listening to what residents are saying.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Thirteen Thursday #2 Issues of dignity
My 13 idea of respecting another's dignity when living in an assisted living center.
1. Address an older individual by their title Mr. Mrs. Miss, Mame, or only if given permission, by their first name.
2. Refrain from addressing an older person as "honey, sweetie, sweetheart or any other term that denotes an intimate relationship. You wouldn't address an employer with these terms.
3. Be considerate of the individual's personal space.
4. Knock before entering an individual's quarters.
5. Wait, after knocking, for an invitation to enter or at least wait an appropriate amount of time before entering to allow the individual to respond.
6. Request to speak to an individual quietly in private. Do not holler across a dining room the individual's name. No one else needs to know the resident's business or that you need to talk to them. Demonstrate that respect.
7. Do not holler across a dining room and ask the resident how their meal is, that is demonstrating a lack of respect. Go over to the individual and address them in a respectful manner to inquire if their meal is satisfactory.
8. Go about your duties in the dining room in a quiet manner. Meal time is one of socialization for residents. Be respectful of their environment it should not remind one of a junior high cafeteria. There should not be banging of dishes, wait staff hollering across the dining room shouting orders or staff visiting with one another. This is time for the residents and should be a pleasant experience; for some this is the highlight of their day.
9. If a resident needs assistance to the bathroom do not announce it to the whole dining room how embarrassing! If you need to let a coworker know you are leaving the area because a resident needs assistance to the bathroom develop specific statements such as "Mrs. Brown requires assistance" meaning its a bathroom run and may take a while or "Mr. Moon requests assistance" meaning you will be taking him back to his room to change cloths because of an accident or whatever might work for your situation. Remember the residents were once fully functioning adults with pride and dignity. They have lost so much independence, control over bodily functions, ability to care for themselves as they once did; we need to make the effort to preserve their dignity and demonstrate respect.
10. When providing personal care for residents make the environment as private as possible. Provide adequate covering. Do not allow coworkers to walk in and carry on a conversation while you are providing care.
11. Try to carry on polite conversation while providing intimate personal care to decrease embarrassment for the individual. Provide the resident modesty whenever possible.
12. Explain what you wish to do before you execute and ask the resident's preference and permission.
13. Refrain from discussing resident information in public areas such as the dining room, elevators, common bathrooms (it is amazing how voices carry out of a bathroom), hallways or any where the information could be overheard.
For more Thursday 13 Please click below!
1. Address an older individual by their title Mr. Mrs. Miss, Mame, or only if given permission, by their first name.
2. Refrain from addressing an older person as "honey, sweetie, sweetheart or any other term that denotes an intimate relationship. You wouldn't address an employer with these terms.
3. Be considerate of the individual's personal space.
4. Knock before entering an individual's quarters.
5. Wait, after knocking, for an invitation to enter or at least wait an appropriate amount of time before entering to allow the individual to respond.
6. Request to speak to an individual quietly in private. Do not holler across a dining room the individual's name. No one else needs to know the resident's business or that you need to talk to them. Demonstrate that respect.
7. Do not holler across a dining room and ask the resident how their meal is, that is demonstrating a lack of respect. Go over to the individual and address them in a respectful manner to inquire if their meal is satisfactory.
8. Go about your duties in the dining room in a quiet manner. Meal time is one of socialization for residents. Be respectful of their environment it should not remind one of a junior high cafeteria. There should not be banging of dishes, wait staff hollering across the dining room shouting orders or staff visiting with one another. This is time for the residents and should be a pleasant experience; for some this is the highlight of their day.
9. If a resident needs assistance to the bathroom do not announce it to the whole dining room how embarrassing! If you need to let a coworker know you are leaving the area because a resident needs assistance to the bathroom develop specific statements such as "Mrs. Brown requires assistance" meaning its a bathroom run and may take a while or "Mr. Moon requests assistance" meaning you will be taking him back to his room to change cloths because of an accident or whatever might work for your situation. Remember the residents were once fully functioning adults with pride and dignity. They have lost so much independence, control over bodily functions, ability to care for themselves as they once did; we need to make the effort to preserve their dignity and demonstrate respect.
10. When providing personal care for residents make the environment as private as possible. Provide adequate covering. Do not allow coworkers to walk in and carry on a conversation while you are providing care.
11. Try to carry on polite conversation while providing intimate personal care to decrease embarrassment for the individual. Provide the resident modesty whenever possible.
12. Explain what you wish to do before you execute and ask the resident's preference and permission.
13. Refrain from discussing resident information in public areas such as the dining room, elevators, common bathrooms (it is amazing how voices carry out of a bathroom), hallways or any where the information could be overheard.
For more Thursday 13 Please click below!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Resident Rights Source
Resident Rights published on the Thirteen Thursday (#1) came from the RCW (Revised Code of Washington) Chapter 70.129. The 70.129.005 RCW states ...the intent of the legislature includes that long-term care facility residents have the opportunity to exercise reasonable control over life decisions. The legislature finds that choice, participation, privacy, and the opportunity to engage in religious, political, civic, recreational, and other social activities foster a sense of self-worth and enhance the quality of life for long-term care residents.
The first resident right identified was the right to a dignified existence. Fellow bloggers would you share with me? What would a dignified existence be for you? What would be a dignified existence for your parents?
The first resident right identified was the right to a dignified existence. Fellow bloggers would you share with me? What would a dignified existence be for you? What would be a dignified existence for your parents?
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Thirteen Thursday
Thirteen Resident Rights
1. A resident has the right to a dignified existence, self-determination and communication.
2. A resident has the right to exercise his or her rights as a resident of a facility, as a citizen or resident of the United States and the state of Washington.
3. A resident has the right to be free of interference, coercion, discrimination and reprisal in exercising his or her rights.
4. A resident has the right to manage his or her financial affairs.
5. A resident has the right to personal privacy and confidentiality of his or her personal and clinical records.
6. A resident has the right to voice grievances.
7. A resident has the right to prompt efforts by a facility to resolve grievances.
8. A resident has the right to examine the results of the most recent survey or inspection of a facility conducted by federal or state surveyors.
9. A resident has the right to privacy in communications, including sending and prompt receiving of mail that is unopened.
10. A resident has the right to have reasonable access to the use of a telephone where calls can be made without being overheard.
11. A resident has the right to retain and use personal possessions.
12. A resident has the right to be free from physical restraint or chemical restraint.
13. A resident has the right to be free from verbal, sexual, or physical abuse including corporal punishment or involuntary seclusion.
Please visit other 13 Thursday posts.
1. A resident has the right to a dignified existence, self-determination and communication.
2. A resident has the right to exercise his or her rights as a resident of a facility, as a citizen or resident of the United States and the state of Washington.
3. A resident has the right to be free of interference, coercion, discrimination and reprisal in exercising his or her rights.
4. A resident has the right to manage his or her financial affairs.
5. A resident has the right to personal privacy and confidentiality of his or her personal and clinical records.
6. A resident has the right to voice grievances.
7. A resident has the right to prompt efforts by a facility to resolve grievances.
8. A resident has the right to examine the results of the most recent survey or inspection of a facility conducted by federal or state surveyors.
9. A resident has the right to privacy in communications, including sending and prompt receiving of mail that is unopened.
10. A resident has the right to have reasonable access to the use of a telephone where calls can be made without being overheard.
11. A resident has the right to retain and use personal possessions.
12. A resident has the right to be free from physical restraint or chemical restraint.
13. A resident has the right to be free from verbal, sexual, or physical abuse including corporal punishment or involuntary seclusion.
Please visit other 13 Thursday posts.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Why Elders are tagets for abuse
Because July is Washington State Adult Abuse Prevention month I wanted to include posts with information relating to abuse. Elders are targeted because they are more trusting, often live alone, are lonely, less likely to report a crime due to embarrassment or fear, many keep cash and/or valuables in the home and physical limitations.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Exercise should be fun
What a Saturday! We purchased a table tennis set a while back, so today my brother and I played table tennis for two hours. I'm sure I will pay for it tomorrow but what fun. If a person can find an activity they enjoy the exercise is bonus. Losing extra weight and toning up the muscles does a great deal for maintaining balance and keeps the old brain juices flowing.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Fourth of July
My family and I want to wish all of you a happy Fourth of July. Have fun and be safe.
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