Was reading some of the threads, work in LTC, am a baby boomer (not yet ready for LTC but is coming up) and a nurse.
As a nurse in a IDEAL LTC facility I would like:
:yeah:2 staff bathrooms per hallway (and time to take a potty break), a lunch break that has healthier food then a bag of chips and a can of diet coke!
:bow:One LPN and 2 aides per 10 patients. One RN teamleader for 2 LPN's and 4 aides and 20 patients.
:wink2:I would like a ward clerk to answer the phones, fill out forms, order the diets, order the equipment, call the therapy departments to set up time for the residents therapies, etc.
:heartbeatAt least 1 hour a day to spend with my residents (visiting) a foot or back massage paid for by the facility once a week, no cement floors, pet therapy for residents AND staff.
:up:Most importantly, funding to staff the facility adequately. Health insurance for it's employees, time and a half for weekends and holidays.
:nurse:HAPPY RESIDENTS, FAMILIES AND NURSING STAFF WHERE CARE REALLY DOES COME FIRST.
OK this is not going to happen but . . .
what would you add to my facility to make it better?.
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
Happy hour... Coffee/tea available round the clock for the residents... More "grown up" activities and activities of interest to our male residents... Dining room open all day-residents can rise and eat when they wish and stay up as late as they want...A bath team..."Neighborhoods" in the facility-alert and oriented residents should NOT have to be subjected to noisy,confused and inappropriate residents and dementia and psych residents deserve dignity...They should not be grouped in with the alert and oriented who will demean and possibly abuse them...Group the residents according to their level of function... A honeymoon suite for "conjugals" ... No loud clanging call bells,phones or paging...A strict policy of throwing out PITA visitors/families-"flag" them just like you would if they were acting up in the pub...Better staffing ratios...
Different call bells... ours are a loud, angry buzz.
More staff, more shower rooms, a blanket warmer... ward clerks year-round, not just in GPN season...
Bigger nursing stations. There's just plain not enough room in ours.
And I wish they'd put the pretty marbled tile in the whole place... not just the front lobby / hallway. Our lower-functioning residents deserve soothing decor too!
Specializes in psych, long term care, developmental dis.
We would allow the residents to pick their own paint colors for their rooms, if not a private room both residents would have to agree, use their own curtains if they wish, allow a cat and a dog in the facility.
Would have a large outdoor patio, shaded, where everyone even those in beds/wheelchairs could sit outside and listen to the birds, feel the wind on their faces and a stocked ponds so they can go fishing if they like. Raised gardens for those that wish to plant flowers or veggies.
No loud call lights, fire alarms, just nice soft classical/jazz music. Staff can wear pager that vibrate and show the room number of residents wishing assistance.
Door frames large enough for bed to go through without difficulty.
ktwlpn, LPN
3,844 Posts
Happy hour... Coffee/tea available round the clock for the residents... More "grown up" activities and activities of interest to our male residents... Dining room open all day-residents can rise and eat when they wish and stay up as late as they want...A bath team..."Neighborhoods" in the facility-alert and oriented residents should NOT have to be subjected to noisy,confused and inappropriate residents and dementia and psych residents deserve dignity...They should not be grouped in with the alert and oriented who will demean and possibly abuse them...Group the residents according to their level of function... A honeymoon suite for "conjugals" ... No loud clanging call bells,phones or paging...A strict policy of throwing out PITA visitors/families-"flag" them just like you would if they were acting up in the pub...Better staffing ratios...