Kansas Senior Press Service Weekly Newsletters Kansas Senior Press Service Weekly Newsletters By Ed Schulte
Kansas Senior Press Service
Everyone who might need a nursing home some day supports the change toward skilled nursing facilities feeling more like home—a comfortable and natural step along the journey of long-term care.
Nursing homes provide an extra level of care during what may be the last years of a person’s life. But many individuals entering a nursing home are concerned that, besides having lost some physical abilities, they might also lose their sense of being at home, their connection to others, and control of personal decisions in their life. Many initiatives are springing up throughout the country to address these concerns, improving the options and environments offered in some creative ways.
The Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas (PEAK) program supports culture change in Kansas nursing homes by encouraging person-directed care in the areas of resident control, staff empowerment, home environment, and community involvement.
The two components of PEAK are recognition and education. The Kansas Department on Aging (KDOA) annually recognizes nursing home person-directed care initiatives. KDOA has also partnered with Kansas State University’s Center on Aging to provide an education component and resources for nursing home staff on how to begin and sustain culture change.
Kansas Secretary of Aging Kathy Greenlee has said that “Resident-directed care is changing the dynamics of the nursing home environment, not only for residents but also for staff. Kansas has become recognized nationally as a leader in this movement, thanks to the foresight and leadership of the administrators and staffs of the nine PEAK winners. These homes are excellent examples of the new direction in adult care.”
Here are some new directions exemplified by a few of the 2007 winners:
Village Shalom in Overland Park. Staff members learn each resident’s normal daily routine and try to customize daily activities accordingly. The campus includes a bank, museum, wellness spa, gift shop, two beauty salons, and a library for resident, family, and community use. Staff have town-hall meetings to communicate concerns and suggestions to non-supervisory team members. Most rooms are private, and residents are encouraged to bring their own furniture and belongings. Shopping and other trips are scheduled regularly. Multiple intergenerational programs include preschool through high school students.
BrewsterHealthCenter in Topeka. Brewster has implemented a process to determine the goals of each elder and then work toward attainment of those goals, such as shopping with family or boating. One man wanted to see and pet a horse, so a horse was brought to the home. Staff members work with the same residents consistently, building trust between staff and residents. Nursing stations have been removed and those areas are used as common areas for elders. Residents are encouraged to participate in community groups.
Medicalodge of Kinsley. Residents have flexible schedules and are involved in planning special meals. Staff are involved in care-planning. A wireless paging system has replaced the call system. Residents have personalized their rooms. The resident dog, Scruffy, is loved by residents and staff alike.
Greeley County Health Services Long-Term Care Unit. Residents meet every other week with dietary staff to discuss meals. Residents are involved in making their own decisions about activities, wake times, and meals. Staff members are cross-trained and teams are assigned to the same “neighborhoods,” or areas of the home, consistently. Resident rooms are personalized.
These are just a few examples of resident-centered care highlighted in 2007. Perhaps a nursing home in your area is moving in that direction right now. The national focus on innovation in nursing homes requires considering residents first, creating smaller living environments, designing spaces for living supported by medical and nursing care, assignments for staff that encourage ongoing personal connection, and dismantling daily routines to allow freedom and choice.
Nursing homes around the country are being encouraged to move toward these changes to improve life for those who need nursing care. This is not an issue that affects only older adults. Almost everyone who needs nursing care, everyone who has family who needs nursing care, and everyone who is aging will be looking for a new home someday. So look for and ask for resident-directed care. Remember, “everyone” includes you.
Some information and examples excerpted from the KDOA Web site at www.agingkansas.orgBy Kansas Senior Press Service
Current studies show that stress produces a domino effect on the body, eventually causing weight gain.
For example, stress from a busy work schedule or personal problems might make eating right and exercising low priorities, leading to weight gain. Another theory is that people sleep less when they are stressed out, which causes a dip in leptin, a hormone that helps temper the appetite. When your body really just wants rest, you may misinterpret the dip in leptin as a sign of hunger.
Cortisol is a stress hormone that is also linked to weight gain. It causes the “fight-or-flight” reaction people experience under acute stress or threat. Our bodies were wired to have this reaction as a survival mechanism against predators. In today’s world, stress mostly comes from emotional triggers that don’t require a physical response but may prompt stress-related over-eating.
It is healthiest to deal with acute stress by burning off the excess energy, or calories, through physical activity. When the calories are not burned off, they often are stored in the body as fat. For some reason, fat is commonly stored in the belly. Belly fat poses a greater health risk than fat stored anywhere else in the body.
Herbal supplements are hot on the market for stress reduction, but no sound studies have supported their claims to lower cortisol levels. Behavioral methods of stress reduction may be more effective: practicing yoga, improving time management, and becoming more assertive.
Believe it or not, you can change your body’s reactions to stress the moment it hits. If you eat under pressure, find other alternatives to help you relax. Even waiting just 10 more minutes after food cravings occur can calm the body into relaxation and prevent overeating.
“A Healthy Weight for Life,” a brochure from the American Institute for Cancer Research, can help you structure your eating and exercise habits. To order a free copy, call toll-free 800-843-8114, ext. 111, 9:00 a.m-5:00 p.m. ET Monday–Friday.
Source: The American Institute for Cancer Research
By Kansas Senior Press Service
National Family Caregivers Month is a special time to thank, support, assist, educate, and celebrate caregivers. It’s a time to honor family caregivers for their contributions to their loved ones and society and a time to speak up for those who provide care or assistance to a chronically ill, disabled, or elderly loved one.
This year’s theme focuses on family caregivers speaking up for their rights. This is an opportunity to advocate for even stronger public policies to address family caregiving issues and raise awareness about community programs supporting caregivers.
If you are a caregiver, it’s also a time to focus on encouraging yourself to believe in yourself, protect your health, reach out for help, and speak up for your rights.
Each of us can provide direct help to someone in need, or help tilt public opinion and public policy toward greater understanding of the complexity of family caregiving. Be part of the movement to help caregiving families, and be part of the initiative to help family caregivers help themselves.
In the past decade, growing awareness has changed caregiving from a private family situation to a social issue. Policy makers, employers, insurers, and health care professionals are beginning to address the concerns of family caregivers. Now it is important to build on that awareness and promote meaningful action.
This month, think of a family caregiver you know. Reach out and offer a helping hand. Provide a word of encouragement or a reassuring phone call. You might even take a meal, offer transportation, or deliver some other measure of kindness and support.
If possible, take time to advocate legislatively for caregivers, either individually or through advocacy groups.
The best time to recognize family caregivers—increasing awareness of their role in the community and providing a call to action—is now!
These articles are also available electronically at the Center on Aging Website: http://www2.kumc.edu/coa/Senior_Press_Article/Topic_Index.htm