Change is not always easy, especially if there is widespread acceptance that practices are working well the “wrong” way. Fortunately, the growing movement of nursing home culture change across America is transforming beliefs in what the “home” part of nursing home really should look and feel like. In many cases, reluctant staff members who resisted change at first are seeing the benefits, particularly regarding improvements in residents’ health.
Even something simple like automated historical digital displays of residents' photographs to remind staff of each resident’s personhood can positively impact patient-staff communication. Researchers at the University of Kansas School of Nursing displayed residents’ historical photographs in digital frames in their rooms. They compared audio-recorded staff-resident conversations before this intervention with conversations afterwards. Results indicated increased staff person-centered talk and less task-oriented talk. Residents spoke more about interpersonal topics. Their engagement and reminiscence improved. Implementing low-cost historical photo displays in residents' rooms enhanced person-centered communication.
Many other interventions can advance person-centered care in nursing homes. Staff members who have made the paradigm shift from traditional nursing home settings to nursing homes with person-centered environments and practices can best explain the transformations of themselves and residents.
Frances Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback at many booksellers and in e-book form at Amazon and Barnes and Noble booksellers.
