Taking Residents’ Voices Seriously in an Assisted Living Facility
Moving into a nursing home or an assisted living facility can be stressful for senior citizens. Often, one of the main stressors is the perceived or real loss of control over their lives.
If you are looking for assisted living services in Tulsa, OK, for yourself or a loved one, you should know that not all long-term care facilities guarantee the same level of independence.
In making any commitments, it’s essential to ask what measures a community is taking to create an environment that protects and nurtures seniors and allows them to have a say in their daily lives.
Participating in Care Management
Under the Nursing Home Reform Act, seniors living in covered facilities have the right to comprehensive information about their care plans, including services, costs, rules, and any changes.
Residents also have the right to participate in their care management by reviewing their medical records and refusing treatment or medication.
Before moving into a nursing home or an assisted living facility, you or your senior family member should complete a needs assessment to determine the appropriate levels of care during the stay.
The facility must also involve you in developing an individual care management plan. At a minimum, you should be able to request or refuse specific services and how often you need them.
Making Decisions About Daily Activities In Assisted Living
The Nursing Home Reform Act also mandates that residents must be able to make decisions about their daily schedules and activities, including:
· Choices of clothes to wear
· Activities to participate in
· Whether to accept or restrict visits from family, friends and care providers
· Meal plans should be
Of course, assisted living facilities must strike a delicate balance between maintaining a safe and nurturing environment, on the one hand, and engaging seniors in planning their daily living, on the other.
Facility staff, seniors, and their family members should determine each resident’s level of independence on a case-by-case basis based on the individual’s health, care needs, personal preferences, and more.
Complaining Without Fear of Reprisal In Assisted Living
Nursing home and assisted facility residents must be able to complain or give negative feedback without fear of reprisal. They must also receive a prompt and adequate response from the staff, including:
· The Administrators
· Business managers
· Caregivers
· Clinical professionals
· The Therapists
· Nurses
· Dining directors
· Activities directors
This is essential to improving the quality of service and giving residents a voice in their long-term care management.
Joining a Resident Council
One of the first things to check when searching for “assisted living near me” or “nursing home near me” is whether the community has a Resident Council.
The structure and procedures of these bodies vary. Some Resident Councils meet monthly, while others convene every two weeks. In any case, the council should have no interference from facility staff.
This helps create a safe space for seniors to voice concerns, suggest improvements or innovations, and discuss various issues related to their care and daily lives.
Participating in Town Hall Meetings
The best senior communities participate actively in Town Hall meetings. Staff, residents and their family members meet with local authority representatives to discuss policies that may impact the facility or senior citizens.
Searching for “Assisted Living Near Me”?
At Colonial Oaks Senior Living, we offer various long-term care options to meet your or your loved one’s lifestyle needs. We have something for everyone, from memory care and short-term stays to independent and assisted living services.
At all levels of care, we treat our residents with respect and dignity and ensure they can make independent life choices.
We are based in Tulsa, OK. Known as the world’s largest small town, Tulsa is a unique place that combines a small-town sense of community and a slower pace of life with services, entertainment options, and a cultural calendar to rival many a big city.
To learn more, read our article on what to look for in a good assisted living facility. Then, call 832-315-6368 or contact us online to learn more about our services and how we can support you or your senior family members in their golden years.