Comments on: CMS Guidelines Call for Homelike Environments in Nursing Homes

By: Ruth

Ruth — Fri, 08 May 2009 04:52:54 +0000

The facilities fall short of the goals of a home-like environment for the residents. I think some feel because they place furniture in the facilities that represent a home environment that this is enough. Not until the staff realize that their application of skills and integration of knowledge combined with respecting the residents’right of choice will we have a true home-like environment.Implementing effective channels of communication and acting on the resident’s and their family requests will there be a true home-like environment.

By: ntshantsha

ntshantsha — Tue, 05 May 2009 08:46:18 +0000

to beacome homme based care worker what you must heve so that you can work

By: linda shutt

linda shutt — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:07:56 +0000

This is their home,but they are sometimes not treated as such.Because people who set the guildlines forget this. Without these Grandma,Gramppa,Mothers,Fathers,ect.we would not have the jobs that we all LOVE and CARE about.

By: Care Giver

Care Giver — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:37:02 +0000

I think a home-like setting is a fantastic requirement for nursing homes. Nothing is more disheartening than to see elders who have lived tremendous, long lives being placed in a stale, tacky, unwelcoming nursing home. Kudos to these guidelines.

By: marie delacruz

marie delacruz — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:04:40 +0000

These new rulings are great, the building I teach in currently is trying to produce the “homey” enviornment. I think it’s great. My folks are in their 80′s and live in their home, and it’s homey. If they had to move in a facility I know they would want that “homey ” environment. The staff is working hard to provide a safe and healthy enviornment for the residents. It’s taking time but this facility working towards a homey sitting.

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:08:30 +0000

CMS should start thinking “culture change” instead of “homey environments.” The terms may sound the same but they have a differnt meaning in the nursing home environment. We need to realize that people are moving into a new home to live not die. The environment should be no different than living at home except that you require more help with the daily living process. You do not lose the right to be the person that you were before you changed homes. You should have privacy for yourself and visitors, dignity and respect for you as a person. You shoule have a relationship with the community – attending church activities, shopping, exercise programs, museum visits if you desire. I know some or all of these activities are offered but many people get left out for various reason – lack of transportation for instance – assistance is required.

I am speaking from the standpoint of homes where people are not self pay.

By: Patti

Patti — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:04:40 +0000

Home like environments will do much to secure a better lifestyle for the elderly customer. The nursing staff, however, will fight this. Initially at least.

Nurses and aides like to use “Safety” as an excuse for the institutional setting we’re so used to. In reality it is staff convenience that drives that setting. Until nursing staff can be educated on the benefits of homelike living, culture change won’t happen.

By: mary

mary — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 20:34:27 +0000

I hope that these new changes will include a better staff to resident ratio. I am a frustrated nursing assistant who is tired of being given 14-18 total care residents to care for by myself.

By: Patricia Downing

Patricia Downing — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:24:31 +0000

I believe this a step in the right direction but it remains to be seen who wins- State Surveyors or Residents. At my facility the Life Safety people have made it so most vof our residents have to spend most of their time in their rooms unless the ambulate or move their wheelchairs independently. This is so unfair as many of our people like to sit in the halls or at the nurses station where all the action is. Our state surveyors definitely need 101 Culture Change. I for one want to be able to make my own choices and be able to sit where I want when I become a resident. Do the state surveyors not sit at home where they chose? Why not our residents?

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:09:45 +0000

The regulations are coming into direct conflict with person centered care more and more. It’s like CMS doesn’t communicate amoung themselves. While I can see the safety reason behind the updated Infection Control, Kitchen Sanitation as well as this update: It places resident centered care, with personal choices in direct conflict with safety regulations. So what it is, Resident Rights or Safety?
Personally, I eat raw cookie dough and love sunny side eggs…I willingly place myself in “Immediate Jeopardy”