The Facility: General Assessment
The evaluation of the facility under consideration, The Gardens Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, did not show any severe issues. Thus, it is certified to provide services to the elderly population, and its quality is reported to be high. The employees of this nursing home follow all the rules of conduct, and the premises are well-organized. The residents have extensive food choices, and the needs of people with dementia are addressed. Meanwhile, improvements are possible in several areas and, more specifically, in terms of treatment options and meeting additional requirements.
Benefits
The main benefit of The Gardens Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation is the clarity of resident behavior expectations. It is complemented by high levels of safety and care, as can be seen from the presence of arrangements with Memory Central hospital (“Nursing home interview checklist,” n.d.). In turn, the premises are clean and comfortable, and living spaces are well-equipped to meet the needs of residents and their families. There are no reported cases of abuse, and the staff is friendly and responsible. Food options include various snacks and are dietary-oriented. In addition, patients with dementia are offered the required medications and procedures.
Drawbacks
Alongside the mentioned advantages of the facility, specific drawbacks were revealed. Thus, the residents have no access to specialized services other than those for treating dementia, and no special care units exist. Also, neither personal doctor visits nor transportation services are provided, which can harm people’s health status in emergencies (“Nursing home interview checklist,” n.d.). Regular doctors seem insufficient for meeting these needs, and there are no other sources of assistance. Volunteer programs are not included in the facility’s work, which is disadvantageous in the long run.
Possible Improvements
The possible improvements for this facility include a careful examination of the needs of its residents for further organization of additional services. They will vary depending on the present conditions, and performing this task will improve treatment outcomes. Also, special care units should be established after considering the percentage of people with particular health issues. Additional funding is required, while some problems can be solved by involving volunteers. They should work to eliminate the risks of personality shortage once special care units are organized and improve care.
Further measures should be oriented toward the development of an individualized care approach. In other words, personal doctor visits are critical for better treatment outcomes when addressing specific health problems. This way, the risks accompanying emergencies and other similar events will be eliminated efficiently. Moreover, the organization of transportation services to hospitals for residents will be beneficial. These initiatives will require extra funds, but they are critical for the well-being of people. In turn, the already adopted practices, such as regular doctor visits, should be reconsidered concerning the needs of the affected persons.
The Eden Alternative: Recommendations
The implementation of principles outlined by the Eden Alternative seems suitable for the facility’s needs. They can be introduced by first providing residents with animal companions (Thomas, 1996). This solution will decrease loneliness, and inclusion in organizational activities will promote well-being. Also, staff should encourage active participation and communication among the residents to eliminate boredom (Thomas, 1996). In turn, the perceived helplessness can be overcome by developing meaningful tasks for people, such as teaching young children. As a result, close contact with animals and people will lead to improvements.
Creating a home-like atmosphere like the Eden Alternative should also include extensive medical information. It relates to the awareness of living with various diseases and explaining the feasibility of the suggested treatment methods. They should be presented from the perspective of autonomy and independence of people, which is the key to their happiness (Thomas, 1996). Subsequently, these factors will help demonstrate the possibility of impacting other people to residents. As a result, they will be more willing to collaborate with others, learn, and play games in user-friendly spaces, which are to be established.
Biblical Worldview
The principles of the Eden Alternative reflect a biblical worldview by emphasizing the same conditions for human happiness. Thus, as in the case of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, some elderly residents are excluded from social activities due to their inability to overcome their past guilt and shame (Kendall, 2018). Similarly, they have no access to a favorable human habitat, and reconnecting with the community becomes challenging (Kendall, 2018). Therefore, the above provisions help individuals overcome painful memories and trauma and find joy in life.
References
Nursing home interview checklist. (n.d.).
Kendall, L. (2018). A serpent in the garden. The Eden Alternative. Web.
Thomas, W. H. (1996). Life worth living: How someone you love can still enjoy life in a nursing home – The Eden Alternative in action. Vanderwyk & Burnham.