Author : Michael J. Denham
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 1489933808
Total Pages : 328 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (899 download)
Book Synopsis Care of the Long-Stay Elderly Patient by : Michael J. Denham
Download or read book Care of the Long-Stay Elderly Patient written by Michael J. Denham and published by Springer. This book was released on 2013-11-11 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since the first edition of this book was published there have been considerable changes in continuing care. NHS nursing homes have been created, enthusiasts have developed new initiatives, and attempts have been made to improve attitudes. The recent White Paper on Community Care is likely to accelerate the transfer of large numbers of elderly patients from long-stay hospital beds to private-sector accommodation: a move often accompanied by much anxiety about standards of care. Although Health Authorities visit private nursing homes and apply the National Association of Health Authorities' standards to them, anxieties continue. Unfortunately for the patients who remain in hospital, many Health Authorities seem reluctant to apply these same standards to their own long-stay departments, since many would fail abysmally. The 1987 annual report of the Health Advisory Service (see Chapter 3) presents a damning indictment of the care given to old people: A recent review of twelve consecutive HAS Reports on services for older people in hospitals shows that long-stay wards consistently offered environments which were unable to offer privacy, homely surroundings, personal space and possessions or adequate furniture. In the twelve districts there was not one comprehensive personalised clothing service. Half of the reports commented on the lack of effec tive management of continence. Catering was often provided according to the needs of the institution rather than those of the resident patients.