Person-centered care introduced to senior living in Charlotte communities
Posted by Senior Care in senior care homes, tags: Charlotte, living, senior
Senior living in Charlotte communities showed remarkable improvements in their skills, independence and freedom of movement in stage one of resident-centered initiative.
The initiative is launched by Senior Living Communities, an operator of retirement communities based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Take the case of Shelly Lockhard, who is an executive director at the Watersong retirement community in Viera, Florida. She will be putting her skills around the kitchen including baking skills, in her to-do list as part of the person-centered program launched at the community.
At least 10 communities are in different stages of the process, but they are expected to complete a check-list that includes significant operational changes by the end of 2009.
The initiative is aimed at helping senior living in Charlotte communities needing assistance in living, skilled nursing or memory care to engage in their surroundings and help improve their quality of life. We introduced seeral changes from halls filed with smells of freshly baked bread or homemade cookies, to new care plans that are designed to give residents develop their own individual preferences.
Part of the initiative is the so called I-care plans, which involve gathering data from elderly residents, including, “I like my cup of coffee 30 minutes before breakfast,” or “I am a die-hard Atlanta Braves fan and love a cold Coke while I’m watching the game.”
The program, which was individually designed for each residents, is expected to allow senior living in Charlotte communities to decide their own routine, which is seen to boost their independence, security and freedom of choice. Under the program, caregivers are also seen to have improved perspective by shifting their focus from the patient to the person, a crucial step in providing an effective and person-centered care, the initiative said.
Chief operating officer Mary Bowers said she believes the program will be very important for the success of the communities.
“Our corporate mission is to help our members live longer, healthier and happier lives,” Bowers said.”A different result is achieved when you treat your residents like hospital patients. The older, institutional retirement home model is obsolete, and it’s pretty easy to understand that treating your customers like family members makes good business sense.”
Initially, senior living in Charlotte communities will be the primary beneficiaries of the person-centered approach, but the program will soon be introduced in other communities.
