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There is a move underway to change the
terminology from long-term care “facility” to long-term care home. The facility might have a nursing staff and
some floors may have secured units but it is nonetheless, first and foremost, a
home for all of the residents. Their
room is their space, their home, and it should signify who they are. There should be mementoes, pictures and
things that bring the resident(s) of that room comfort.
Many nursing homes have an institutional
feel; it comes with the territory.
Trying to house and keep many people with different health needs safe
will require that surroundings, fittings and fixtures are constructed in such a
way that they may appear heavy-duty, possibly bland and perhaps even
industrial-looking. That is not to say
that improvements are not allowed or coming.
The newer homes have a more “homey” feel and some nursing homes are
located in buildings that are decidedly un-institutional in appearance.
If you or your relative are looking for
somewhere to live, check to see if the rooms in the nursing homes you are
looking at reflect the different residents.
Memory boxes or shadow boxes that contain important memorabilia in the
life of each resident may be displayed either inside or outside their room. If there is no memory box visible is there
some other method of indicating the important people and events in everyone’s
life? Is there something to
differentiate one person’s room or space in a room from another?
Things such as a favourite blanket, a
much-loved picture, an easy chair or a collage of photographs can evoke special
feelings and bring reassurance to someone living apart from their
loved-ones. Little things can make a big
difference in creating each resident’s own personal space. Speak to staff members to see what can be
brought in to personalize a room and then begin to make the room an individual
space.
Necessity dictates that there are things to
consider when bringing in items from home to furnish a room. Furniture should be easy to clean, sturdy and
drawers should have stops on them to prevent them from falling out. Some furniture may have to be attached to a
wall to avoid accidents such as someone leaning on a dresser causing it to
topple over. All furniture along with
pictures that are to be hung on a wall will have to be inspected and approved
before they can be installed in an individual’s room.
Be creative in expressing the person in the
room. Does Mom love to crochet? Did she always have a crocheted throw on the
couch at home? Bring in one of her
throws for her bed. Grandchildren will
be happy to sit on the bed and fiddle with the blanket and talk to their
grandmother. Does Dad love to talk about
the cars he’s had during his life? Bring
in a collage of cars from different eras so that Dad can continue to tell
everyone about the cars that he fixed up. Have miniature cars in a display box for Dad
to look at. If Mom or Dad was an artist,
can their work be framed and hung up in their room? If Mom collects figurines or spoons, a shadow
box could house some of the less-valuable items. If Dad has a green thumb when it came to
vegetables, maybe plastic or wooden fruit and some pictures in a shadow box
could signify some of Dad’s prize-winners.
Whatever is chosen, the resident of the room should have a say in what
is important to them.
Living in a nursing home is not ideal and
there is a loss of independence but that does not mean that the residents
should give up the right to show their personality, culture and interests within
their space in the home. Nursing homes
that encourage the residents to showcase their individuality are the homes that
can make the transition easier for all concerned. Keep this in mind when you’re looking for the
most suitable space either for yourself or your loved one.
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