Describe your dream LTC

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Okay, we MUST pretend that a) there are no regulations, b) all of the families are sane and reasonable, and c) everyone does their job willingly and happily and well. This is pretend.

My ideal facility:

Carpeting on all of the floors with padding underneath so people don't slip on the shiny tile in their slippery socks and break hips.

All of the low beds we need. Delicious, high-tech hospital beds. Beds that can automatically inflate and deflate for wounds.

The facility is built around a huge, self-contained courtyard with a flower garden, bird feeders, and smooth paths that anyone can use, from those in geri-chairs to the independent ambulators.

If someone doesn't wnt to get up they don't have to. Old, exhausted people don't need to be gotten into geri-chairs (beds on wheels) just so we can report that they're not bed-bound.

We have enough activities people that we can have dances and games and fun. I can get my people in geri-chairs moving, for crying out loud.

PT will let that old woman who is 92 and just broke her hip the heck alone.

If someone wants a salt-shaker so what. She's 112. She doesn't have to live as long as Methuselah.

People can get baths as often as they want them.

The hairdresser is there everyday.

We have enough personnel that everyone gets a back rub every day. They are so starved for tuch, and the more demented esp. are very tactile.

Now you go!

Actually, except for a couple of things you mentioned, the home I work for has just about all of that. It's a great place to work!

Specializes in Correctional Nursing, Geriatrics.

65 residents...65 nurses...65 CNAs...enough said!!:clown:

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

We're dreaming, right? Soo...

An old school barbershop for the men- they are clean-shaven, and can shoot the sh*t guy-style as the barber slaps your favorite aftershave on. If you can't walk he comes to your room prn

A family history center where trained archivists lead you through a very detailed oral history, providing historic context to jog the fuzzy memories- you had a front row seat to history. It shouldn't die when you do.

Music Day with a real Big Band- man who looks like Glenn Miller holds the baton. Dead ringer for Fred Astaire asks the ladies, "Shall We Dance?" (you can't fall, he's very strong)

A huge high ceiling solarium with a view of the sky an aviary, and butterflies.

A "This Is Your Life" show- every living person who was important to you is flown in for free.

Little old ladies NEVER have flat-pancake hair in the back.

This thread made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Ahh, to have and work in a "dream facility".

I'd like to add:

-Workers can choose with whom they want to work with.

-Lazy workers will not be given a 2nd, 3rd, or heck even 4th chance. One strike and you're out, bud!

-Residents can eat in their rooms, if they choose.

-Colace would only be given if absolutely necessary.

-The administrators would work the floor.

-There would be a supply room the size of Costco that is well-stocked.

-Flowers, flowers, flowers. Gaudy paintings would be outlawed.

-Housekeeping is available 24/7.

-*sigh* Teamwork would be a given.

i feel so fortunate because i can say "check" by a lot of these statements because that portion is already present in our community.

my ideal facility:

carpeting on all of the floors with padding underneath so people don't slip on the shiny tile in their slippery socks and break hips. got it! and it is great! also cuts down on noise!

all of the low beds we need. delicious, high-tech hospital beds. beds that can automatically inflate and deflate for wounds. all of our beds are hi/lo beds. we don't have fancy mattresses that do the inflation, but then again a lot of residents are frightened by these types of mattresses, so i don't know that i would want them.

the facility is built around a huge, self-contained courtyard with a flower garden, bird feeders, and smooth paths that anyone can use, from those in geri-chairs to the independent ambulators. we have a courtyard where many of our residents also plant their own vegetables. and we don't ever use geri-chairs!

if someone doesn't wnt to get up they don't have to. old, exhausted people don't need to be gotten into geri-chairs (beds on wheels) just so we can report that they're not bed-bound. our residents are allowed to wake on their own unless they ask to be awakened.

we have enough activities people that we can have dances and games and fun. i can get my people in geri-chairs moving, for crying out loud. we have tons of activities and the whole community is involved. the nursing management team is coordinating happy hour today: tail gate theme!

pt will let that old woman who is 92 and just broke her hip the heck alone. our therapy company honors the desires of our residents very well.

if someone wants a salt-shaker so what. she's 112. she doesn't have to live as long as methuselah. we have liberalized diets including salt, pepper and other condiments on the tables.

people can get baths as often as they want them. our residents choose when, where and how often to bathe.

the hairdresser is there everyday. we have three different stylists and have three days a week covered.

we have enough personnel that everyone gets a back rub every day. they are so starved for tuch, and the more demented esp. are very tactile. we have ample staff to do lots of "little things" such as manicures for the ladies. some of our cnas have even learned how to do beautiful nail art work!

i feel so fortunate to be in a long-term care community where we honor choices and life! it can be done!

i feel so fortunate because i can say "check" by a lot of these statements because that portion is already present in our community.

my ideal facility:

carpeting on all of the floors with padding underneath so people don't slip on the shiny tile in their slippery socks and break hips. got it! and it is great! also cuts down on noise!

all of the low beds we need. delicious, high-tech hospital beds. beds that can automatically inflate and deflate for wounds. all of our beds are hi/lo beds. we don't have fancy mattresses that do the inflation, but then again a lot of residents are frightened by these types of mattresses, so i don't know that i would want them.

the facility is built around a huge, self-contained courtyard with a flower garden, bird feeders, and smooth paths that anyone can use, from those in geri-chairs to the independent ambulators. we have a courtyard where many of our residents also plant their own vegetables. and we don't ever use geri-chairs!

if someone doesn't wnt to get up they don't have to. old, exhausted people don't need to be gotten into geri-chairs (beds on wheels) just so we can report that they're not bed-bound. our residents are allowed to wake on their own unless they ask to be awakened.

we have enough activities people that we can have dances and games and fun. i can get my people in geri-chairs moving, for crying out loud. we have tons of activities and the whole community is involved. the nursing management team is coordinating happy hour today: tail gate theme!

pt will let that old woman who is 92 and just broke her hip the heck alone. our therapy company honors the desires of our residents very well.

if someone wants a salt-shaker so what. she's 112. she doesn't have to live as long as methuselah. we have liberalized diets including salt, pepper and other condiments on the tables.

people can get baths as often as they want them. our residents choose when, where and how often to bathe.

the hairdresser is there everyday. we have three different stylists and have three days a week covered.

we have enough personnel that everyone gets a back rub every day. they are so starved for tuch, and the more demented esp. are very tactile. we have ample staff to do lots of "little things" such as manicures for the ladies. some of our cnas have even learned how to do beautiful nail art work!

i feel so fortunate to be in a long-term care community where we honor choices and life! it can be done!

where do i sign up at?

i am so happy to read that there are places that cater to residents :redpinkhe

Specializes in geriatrics,wound care,hospice.

Luckily for me,and the elders whose home I work in(yes,it's a LTC/SNF),what you all are describing is at the heart of the Eden Alternative. I began working at a traditional(institutional) LTC 21 yrs. ago. About 6 years ago,we began the Eden Journey,without any physical remodel,or drastic upscheduling. But-not without a LOT of frustration,re-education(of staff,families,PCP's and elders themselves),stops,starts,lofty ideals, and deep,DEEP evaluations of ourselves as caregivers-"What am I as a nurse,supposed to do if they refuse meds,baths,meals etc.",families expectations"DO EVERYTHING FOR MOM-she's 87,you know",MDs'"Do you mean you don't want him transferred to the ER?". Management has steered this change,surveyors are now looking for" culture change" and maybe the next generation will see it as the norm. In the meantime,my perfect LTC would have everything everyone else has described, AND an anonymous philanthropist who whould like this happen NOW, and shower us with $$$$$$$$!!!!!

Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.

Shoot, I'd be thrilled to have a housekeeper that actually, um, mops something every now and then.

Specializes in LTC.
"No more hospital gowns to go to bed in. Everyone has their own set of pajamas."

Actually not far from where I live, a grandaughter of one of the residents at an inner city nursing home, has done just that. She started when she was 12, and her goal was to give each resident a pair of pj's or night gown for Christmas, each year. This past Christmas was her 4th year, and has met her goal every year. Our community has been very good at donating. The grandaughter goes in every saturday and does nails, visits, and helps with activities. Just thought I'd share.

wow she definatley has a servants heart!!!! :redpinkhe

Specializes in LTC.

I would also like to add...

a computer in each room to do charting as it happens!

5:1 ratio for nurses and CNAs...

Specializes in Geriatrics.

10 Residents to 1 Nurse, and 5 Residents to 1 CNA. Plus a Shower Aid, Wound Nurse, Unit Secretary, Unit Manager, Acitivities Director, and 1 Activities Aid to 8 Residents. And this would be standard for all shifts (except maybe Activities).

No one wore scrubs. This is peoples home! They should feel at home and not surrounded by people in scrubs all day. There is no nurses station either! Or med carts! Every Resident has their own private room, private full bathroom, with a locked medicine cabnit and computer screen with pull out keyboard on the wall for charting.

Residents would have 3 meals options to choose from everyday. The dining room would have nice china and fresh flowers at every table. The food would come out warm and look delicious.

I could go on and on.

**There is actually a company building a nursing home similar to what I am describing. (No scrubs, no nurses station, no med carts, locked med cabnit in rooms, more home-like environment)

It's a "new" way of thinking and I hope it catches on more and more. I also hope to work at this new facility when it opens this December :D (but I am sure that it'll be very competitive).

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