In part 1 of this article, ” Platinum Rule for Person-Centered Long Term Care” we discussed the key elements of person-centered care and what its benefits are. Let’s look at some more examples of person-centered services and how these can be implemented in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
Examples of Person-Centered Services
Person-centered services can vary but they share common themes of offering patients power over decision making, acknowledging their personal preferences and wants as well as adhering to them where possible. Here are some specific examples of person-centered care services.
Online Platforms
Instead of giving the same medications and treatment paths to all patients who have a common issue, a person-centered care approach calls for a curated care plan for each patient which documents their preferences and lifestyles. For example, if a patient has back pain and loves gardening, then the care plan goal would be to water plants without pain. A particularly attentive plan would include how the patient would get help with weeding while they are recovering to avoid exacerbating an injury.Hucu.ai is a messaging platform that a patient can use to get in touch with their doctors, nurses and care team instantly. With the ability to share pictures, videos or have a video conference with the care team via hucu.ai, the patient will feel empowered and taken care of at all times, remotely.
Custom Care Plans
Patients appreciate on-demand access to their health information, updates, schedules, and the opporutnity to be in touch with the doctors or nurses. Research by NEJM Group of the Massachusetts Medical Society found that technology-based tools such as wearable technology or online portals can empower patients and give them control of their healthcare outside of care facilities.
Family Rooms
Particularly in hospice situations, having these inside hospitals or care facilities for patients to remain connected with their loved ones can bring immense comfort to them. This can also be done virtually using Hucu.ai. Hucu.ai has a feature called “Family Chat” which is a virtual room including the patient’s doctor, care team members, friends, or family that they wish to update about the treatment or everyday care plan. Hucu.ai channels are private to each patient and an excellent way to stay connected and up to date with the patient’s health status.
Why Is Person-Centered Care So Important in Long-Term Care Facilities?
While person-centered care is important in all healthcare including hospitals, primary physician clinics, and specialist interactions, patients living in long-term care facilities are often at their most vulnerable. For example, they may have a physical disability, they may be experiencing cognitive decline or they may have been taken away from their homes and placed in a new environment full of unfamiliar faces. Therefore, nursing homes must have person-centered practices to ensure that residents feel comfortable, at home, and appreciated.
How a Person-Centered Care Approach Can Improve a Healthcare Facility
There are many problems related to long-term care such as staffing issues, elder neglect, or lack of quality for which person-centered care is an essential part of the answer. By using person-centered care, a facility can:Create More Wellness Among Patients – Person-centered care can improve residents’ health (physical and mental) in a long-term facility. If residents can engage in activities of their choice, they will feel more motivated, connected, and less isolated or at risk of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Keeping residents engaged with their peers and caretakers through person-centered care is essential to mental health. The more mobility and energy residents have, the healthier they are.Increases Good Reputation – While it seems obvious if residents are feeling great and their quality of life increases, the reputation of the long-term facility will too. When family members are deciding on where a parent should live, demonstrating that a nursing facility gives preference to their opinions and preferences is a key factor.Decreases Burnout in Staff – Person-centered care can be very effective in increasing job satisfaction among staff members, particularly in demand nursing roles. This will cause the burnout rate to decrease as caregivers enjoy their jobs more and feel less fatigued. As compared to other settings, skilled nursing facilities have a higher nurse burnout rate at 37%. Less burnout among nurses means that facilities will have fewer staffing issues and it will also protect the residents from elder abuse or neglect.
Hucu.ai facilitates the implementation of a person-centered care approach.
How to Implement Person-Centered Care In Long Term Care Facilities
While implementing person-centered care involves extensive staff training, cultural focus, and scrupulously following facility practices and rules. It can be difficult to fully implement a high-quality program, so here are some ideas that can help.
Have Periodic Tailored Activities
Instead of holding a rigid unchanging schedule of activities every week, perhaps getting feedback from the residents and then creating new events according to that feedback can prove fruitful. This allows the residents to socialize, have mental stimulation and practice physical exercise while feeling empowered and in charge of their care.
Innovative Meal Services
Food is naturally a focus of resident attention and satisfaction. Attention to menu innovation can drastically increase the quality of care for residents. Instead of giving them limited food options and repeating the menu over and over again, a facility can learn about each resident’s food preferences and have dishes occasionally curated according to those preferences. If preferences are too wide and it is difficult to curate so many dishes, perhaps going with one new dish per resident per week can be practiced. Dishes that no residents enjoy can be eliminated. This will give residents more control over their food intake and give them a sense of independence.
Noticeably Adjust Policies and Be Flexible
The voice of the resident and their family is more important for person-centered care. Policies can be adjusted now and then based on family and resident feedback. For example, let them suggest how much TV time and which programs are on or the way their furniture is placed in the rooms. By announcing that the policy change is in response to feedback, families, and residents see how much they matter.
Meetings with Patients and Families
When living in a nursing home, residents may begin to see their caregivers more than their family members. To compensate for this feeling of loneliness, support regular meetings with the residents and their family members, whether in person or virtual. Taking the time to know them and asking them about their life experiences or making conversation can make them feel valued and less lonely. Long-term care facilities can also get to know about the cultural nuances and incorporate those in the resident’s care routine.
Summary
Person-centered care is an approach to patient care that places the patient’s needs and preferences first as understood directly from the patient as well as their family and caregivers. It focuses on understanding each person and tailoring their treatment plan around that. This type of care can be very useful in nursing homes because it is shown to improve the quality of life of residents as well as staff experience. Focusing your organization on person-centered care requires significant attention to person-centered care, as well as the communication and culture you are fostering. Truly living the Platinum Rule and delivering person-centered care will result in better patient outcomes as well as increased satisfaction among residents and staff – and that is a sound investment.Get Ready To Transform Your Organization For
Value Based Care.
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