Advice for long-stay establishments for the elderly

Advice for long-stay establishments for the elderly

Advice for ELEPEM (long-stay establishments for the elderly) for emergency situations:

The prevalence of cognitive impairment in institutionalized older people is higher than that of non-institutionalized people. Physical inactivity, as well as dependency for basic activities of daily living, are negatively associated with cognitive impairment and lower quality of life in institutionalized older people. Actions aimed at the resident and their environment are proposed, understanding the latter as the physical environment (architecture, organization of activities), and the personal environment (other residents, family, caregivers, Technical Management).

  1. With the resident: Application of various technological supports for cognitive stimulation, general mobility, stimulation of Activities of Daily Living (ADL). In this way, they can be used from video game consoles (exergames), videos with pre-recorded sessions in which a series of activities are proposed to be carried out by residents, printed material for cognitive stimulation exercises, video calls and video conferences, among others.
  2. With the environment: Advice and support to the ELEPEM in the development of friendly environments for institutionalized older people. Regarding the physical environment, it is important to minimize the architectural barriers and the risk factors that may be associated with falls and fractures in residents, but at the same time, it is necessary that residents have the opportunity of safe ambulation circuits in a way that stay functionally active. In relation to the personal environment of the residents, it is considered that it is represented by the environment of caregivers, the family, the rest of the residents, and the institution’s own management. The level and quality of relationship between all these components will largely determine the quality of life of the institutionalized older person and the general climate.
  3. Specialized training: (a) Courses and advice on Humanization of Care and communication strategies in order to improve the quality of bonds, prevent situations of stress and overload of the caregiver, which could lead to situations of abuse or mistreatment towards the caregivers. residents, or increase work absenteeism; (b) Advice to caregivers and consultation with experts, in person or remotely, based on their experiences in caring for the elderly, both to consult on specific situations of professional practice, as well as basic training in stimulation skills to achieve maintenance of the activities proposed to them; and (c) Training for mediation and facilitation of communication with family members through the use of technology (calls, video calls, videoconferences, etc.), facilitating sustained and long-distance conversation between residents and family members.
  4. Organization of activities in the “new normality”. The reorganization of all resources, including activities for stimulation, recreation, and rest, must be properly planned. This is achieved by developing a new schedule that adapts to the possibilities of the available personnel, to the affective and functional situation of the residents, and to the means through which these activities will be carried out. This may include advice from specialists in Gerontopychomotricity, with their comprehensive and integrating vision of all these dimensions for the proper coordination of a new way of operating the ELEPEM; as well as the availability of professional equipment for the comprehensive stimulation of the elderly, in a natural and interactive way in the management of ICT.