Assisted Living Blues
* There’s no single federal database that tracks all assisted living facilities; states license them individually, so counts vary depending on the data source and how “assisted living” is defined. For example, National Center for Assisted Living, and similar reports, commonly cite around 30,600 facilities with roughly 1.2 million licensed beds across the US.
* There are national associations in the US that represent and support assisted living providers and professionals. These organizations provide advocacy, education, networking, standards, and resources for the industry. THEY ARE NOT DEVELOPERS!
* Facility formats can vary depending on population and area needs; small communities of single homes, group homes, multi-story buildings.
* Many assisted living facilities are actively working on improving how residents are moved both into and out of the community (during transitions like relocation or hospitalizations) and between key areas inside the facility (like dining rooms, activity spaces and common areas). The toughest problem occurs in the key areas, especially in the dining area.
* The safety of the residents and the efficiency of the process are negatively affected due to the evolution of the transportation devices used.
1. Cane…provides a third-point of contact with the floor to improve stability and reduce pain during walking.
2. Walker…Provides four-point contact with the floor to form a tower of support as long as the user stays within the tower. The addition of a seat and/or tray forces the user out of the tower, pushing the walker forward increasing the potential for a fall. Adding wheels to the front of the walker increases mobility and the potential for a fall; and the need for hand-breaks. Adding four wheels to the walker increases mobility and the potential for a fall.
3. Wheelchair…increases the size, weight, and user’s effort to create mobility. Motorizing increases mobility, size, weight, and the potential for collision with other vehicles; while reducing the user’s effort to create mobility.
4. Scooters…increase the size, weight, and the potential for collision with other vehicles.
* The design of the key areas plays a key role in the transportation process.
1. Size and shape of the key area affects the traffic pattern of the vehicles/residents entering the area.
2. The presence of structural columns reduces the space available for the movement of vehicles, residents and furniture.
3. The size, shape, and weight of tables and chairs, and the influx of numerous vehicles into the key area(i.e., canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters) creates the need for residents to physically deal with an uncontrollable traffic situation (5 pounds of stuff into a 4 pound bag); THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN!
* There are some organizations that are actively working to rethink, redesign, or transform assisted living and elder-care models. Their efforts are “inside the box” when a total Paradigm Shift is required; “outside the box”.
A paradigm shift is a fundamental change in the basic framework, assumptions, or way of thinking about something,
NO COMMON SENSE
ANALYZE THE EXAMPLE
* Which supports and barriers were in play?
* What were the dynamics?
* Who, or what, won the Tug-of-War?
* Discuss the outcome with your friends and family.
* Use Post #4 as a reference for the relationships and dynamics between supports and barriers.
