Quality care equates to a quality life in long-term nursing home facilities. Health care services must provide a skilled staff and compassionate care to provide residents the highest quality of life. Maintaining the dignity of and respect for each individual is paramount as he or she enters this new phase of life.

Significance

As of 2009, 1.5 million residents lived in American nursing homes, as reported by the "Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes" campaign. Research published by the RAND Corporation indicates that the nursing home population will to rise by 10 percent to 25 percent into the 2020s.

Staffing

An adequate and qualified staff-to-resident ratio is important, according to recommendations provided by the "Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes" campaign. Low staff turnover rates are preferred. Facilities should require "consistent assignments" (regular care by the same staff member) to provide stability and familiarity.

Basic Care Needs

Residents should be encouraged to take part in their own basic needs as much as possible. Maintaining a sense of independence plays an important role in staving off depression and a sense of hopelessness, both of which lower residents' quality of life and may lead to other health problems.

Minimizing Bed Sores and Pain

A common problem during long-term care is pressure ulcers, or bed sores. Prevention and immediate treatment should be standard practice. Effective health problem diagnosis and treatment of pain will increase quality of life.

Activities

Activities are essential. Lack of physical movement has a multitude of negative consequences for residents: weakened muscles, stiffness and depression. Social interaction and activities provide new friendships and increased enjoyment of daily life.

Assessing Satisfaction

Resident and family satisfaction should be routinely monitored and taken into consideration when implementing improvements in service and care.The quality of care and service can vary greatly between nursing home facilities. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has established a "Five-Star Quality Rating System" in order to provide patients and their families a rating system to compare nursing home quality.

Source:

Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes:

Darius Noshir Lakdawalla, Jay Bhattacharya, Dana P. Goldman, Michael Hurd, Geoffrey Joyce, and Constantijn Panis. "Forecasting the Nursing Home Population" Medical Care 41.1 (2003): 8-20

More Information:

Department of Health and Human Services: Nursing Home Quality Initiatives

Government Five Star Rating System: