Nursing home
In the 21st century, nursing homes have become a standard form of care for most aged and incapacitated persons to account for those complexities.
Yet such institutions have not always existed; rather, their history and development reflect relatively recent demographic and political realities that shape the experience of growing old.
[4] Before the 19th century, no age-restricted institutions existed for long-term care; elderly individuals, who needed shelter because of incapacity, impoverishment, or family isolation, often ended their days in an almshouse.
To combat these long stays in short-term settings, board-and-care homes began to convert into something more public and permanent that was state and federally funded.
These nursing homes showed improvement in maintaining care and cleanliness standards in comparison to almshouses and poorhouses.
Additionally, nursing homes may sue children for the costs of caring for their parents in jurisdictions which have filial responsibility laws.
The implementation of the NHS in 1948 and the abolition of the Old Poor Law allowed modern public nursing homes to be built.
[11] The LPN monitors residents' well-being and administers treatments and medications, such as dressing wounds and dispensing prescribed drugs.
[12] A nursing assistant provides basic care to patients while working directly under a LPN or RN.
These basic care activities, also referred to as activities of daily living, can include assisting with bathing and dressing residents, helping residents with meals, either serving them or with feeding, transferring to and from the bed or wheelchair, making and cleaning beds, assisting with toileting, and answering call lights.
The majority of these physicians are family medicine doctors or internists; however, some specialists such as cardiologist or nephrologist may also make independent visits to supplement their care.
Human resources job duties vary but can also include coordinating payroll, organizing orientation programs for new employees, interviewing, disciplinary actions, and ensuring compliance with federal and state laws.
Compliance with the federal and state legislatures are reviewed regularly for adherence to strict standards of building codes, care plans, behavior and altercations between residents, nutrition and dietary services, medical services, nursing and personal care, religious and spiritual practices, pets, and recreational programs.
Housekeepers have a long list of duties which include cleaning floors, changing linens, disinfecting bathrooms, changing towels, washing clothes, emptying trashcans, sanitizing rooms, replenishing supplies, dusting, vacuuming, and keeping windows and woodwork clean.
Occupational therapy may be necessary following an injury or illness in order to regain skills, and to receive support during any physical or cognitive changes.
Occupational therapy also assists with instrumental activities of daily living, which include home and financial management, rest and sleep, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation.
Occupational therapists work to allow the person to safely and comfortably reintegrate into society by practicing public dining, and transferring to different surfaces (chairs, beds, couches etc.
When a cognitive and/or perceptual deficit is presented, therapists will work with the person by teaching strategies to maximize memory, sequencing and attention span length.
Physical therapy works with the person to help them regain strength, endurance, flexibility, balance and range of motion.
[citation needed] It can also help to prevent injuries and accidents by focusing on restoring mobility, increasing fitness levels, reducing pain and overall reaching a certain point of independence.
Physical abuse is the intention or action to hurt an older person or senior citizen resulting in scars and bruising.
[27] In states such as Connecticut, nursing home abuse is considered a felony charge with minimum mandatory sentences.
Residents pay daily rates for 'room and board' (accommodation and food) that are determined by the type of room chosen, either shared or private.
At this level, all income from pensions, savings, benefits and other sources, except a "personal expenses allowance" (currently £21.90), goes towards paying the care home fees.
The Care Quality Commission have themselves implemented a re-registration process, completed in October 2010, which will result in a new form of regulation being outlined in April 2011.
[33] In 2020 it emerged that some UK care home residents had blanket Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNACPR) orders applied during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Medicaid is the federal program implemented with each state to provide health care and related services to those who are below the poverty line.
A large portion of Medicare and Medicaid dollars is used each year to cover nursing home care and services for the elderly and disabled.
In addition, states have a contract with CMS to monitor those nursing homes that want to be eligible to provide care to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
Congress established minimum requirements for nursing homes that want to provide services under Medicare and Medicaid.
