The current expanding of awareness of health risks in the nation’s care system is long overdue. Aging facilities, inadequate staffing and training, proper space utilization, inadequate interaction with residents, and revolving staffing are known issues. They can change, but it will be hard. Hard but necessary.
To begin, we must have:
Clear creative vision for facility reform in design.
New mandated standards of infection control.
New design in space plans to allow for sunshine and privacy.
Better trained (and paid) caregivers and nurses.
Mental health initiatives made a priority.
Smart Technology that supports both staff and residents.
Transparent communication with families and the community.
Money.
Value placed on elders in our society.
Chris Farrell for Next Avenue “ There will not come a time when we return to the old normal.”
“The question now is, will we take advantage of the pandemic-induced upheaval in long-term care to create a better life for an aging population?
That’s a challenge worth embracing.”