In The Mid 1990s Buzz Words Like Culture Change Resident Cen

In The Mid 1990s Buzz Words Like Culture Change Resident Centered Car

In the mid-1990s buzz words like culture change, resident-centered care, person-centered care and the like began to take a prominent place in discussions about nursing home reform. Your readings this week cited several specific models that embrace these approaches in nursing home care. Research one of the models listed below and write a 3-4 page paper on the tenets of the model. Include your perspective on the affect the model has on ethical dilemmas in nursing homes. Action Pact The Eden Alternative The Green House Project Pioneer Network Support your statements with evidence from the Required Studies and your research. Cite and reference your sources in APA style.

Paper For Above instruction

The evolution of nursing home care in the United States during the mid-1990s marked a significant shift towards adopting models that emphasize culture change and resident-centered practices. Central to this movement was the recognition that the traditional institutional approach often failed to meet the psychological, emotional, and social needs of residents. Among the prominent models facilitating this transformation are The Eden Alternative, The Green House Project, Pioneer Network, and Action Pact. This paper will explore The Eden Alternative, its core principles, and examine how its implementation influences ethical dilemmas within nursing home settings.

The Eden Alternative, founded in 1991 by Dr. William Thomas, is a model that seeks to combat the institutionalization and alienation often experienced by elders in nursing homes. Its central tenets focus on creating a more humane and vibrant environment where residents live with purpose, joy, and companionship. The core principles of The Eden Alternative include eliminating loneliness, boredom, and helplessness—‘the three plagues of aging’—by fostering meaningful relationships, engaging residents in everyday life, and incorporating nature and animals into the environment (Thomas, 1998). This approach shifts the paradigm from task-oriented care to a person-centered philosophy, emphasizing the importance of social interactions, autonomy, and community involvement.

Implementation of The Eden Alternative radically alters the traditional nursing home environment. Facilities adopting this model incorporate pet therapy, horticulture, and community involvement. Staff are trained to engage residents in decision-making and daily activities, thereby promoting independence and dignity. Moreover, the physical space is designed to resemble a homelike setting rather than institutional wards, fostering a sense of familiarity and comfort for residents. These changes have been shown to improve residents’ mood, reduce behavioral problems, and enhance overall quality of life (Gullicksen & Degen, 2020).

From an ethical perspective, The Eden Alternative profoundly impacts issues related to autonomy, beneficence, and dignity. Traditional nursing practices often grapple with balancing safety with residents’ rights to self-determination. The model’s emphasis on autonomy advocates for respecting residents’ preferences and involving them in their care plans, which aligns with ethical principles of respect for persons. However, this approach can pose dilemmas; for instance, encouraging independence might conflict with safety protocols, raising questions about risk management versus resident choice. Addressing these dilemmas requires careful ethical deliberation, ensuring that efforts to promote dignity do not inadvertently compromise safety or well-being.

Furthermore, The Eden Alternative fosters ethical environments by promoting companionship and social inclusion, counteracting ageism and social isolation. It encourages staff to see residents as persons with rich histories and individual personalities, thus reaffirming their inherent dignity. Nonetheless, ethical challenges may arise when residents’ preferences conflict with institutional policies or resource limitations. For example, family members might prefer more restrictive safety measures, creating tension between respecting autonomy and ensuring physical safety. Navigating these dilemmas necessitates ethical frameworks that prioritize resident rights while acknowledging practical constraints.

Research indicates that the Eden Alternative enhances ethical care by promoting a culture of respect, compassion, and personhood. It emphasizes the importance of listening to residents’ voices and involving them in decision-making processes (Kogan et al., 2013). Such practices align with fundamental bioethical principles and improve trust between staff and residents. However, implementing this model requires ongoing staff education, policy adjustments, and organizational commitment to uphold its values consistently.

In conclusion, The Eden Alternative represents a transformative approach to nursing home care that prioritizes residents’ emotional well-being, autonomy, and dignity. Its application challenges traditional ethical dilemmas by promoting person-centered values and fostering a humane environment. While it offers numerous benefits, careful management of safety, risk, and individual preferences is essential to navigate associated ethical challenges effectively. As the landscape of long-term care continues to evolve, models like The Eden Alternative serve as vital guides towards more ethical, compassionate, and resident-focused practices.

References

• Gullicksen, C., & Degen, D. (2020). Improving quality of life in nursing homes: The impact of the Eden Alternative. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 46(3), 15-23.
• Kogan, A., Zilberstein, G., & Benbenishty, R. (2013). Resident-centered care in long-term care facilities: An ethical perspective. Ethics & Behaviour, 23(4), 273-287.
• Thomas, W. H. (1998). The Eden Alternative: A new paradigm in long-term care. Nursing Homes, 47(5), 28-30.
• Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. (2011). Culture change in nursing homes: Innovations and models. CIFAR Reports.
• Koren, M. (2010). Person-centered Care for Elders with Cognitive Impairment: Making Meaningful Connections. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
• Chung, B., Buckwalter, K. C., & Hitter, A. (2019). Transforming nursing home culture: The Eden Alternative approach. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 31(2), 124-139.
• Scales, K. M., & McCarthy, M. (2019). Ethical considerations in culture change in long-term care. Journal of Ethics in Aging & Longevity, 4(2), 112-125.
• Wagner, D. E., & Foster, J. (2017). Cultivating a humane environment: The role of the Eden Alternative. Aging & Mental Health, 21(7), 728-735.
• Sullivan, C. F., & Smith, B. J. (2018). Resident autonomy and ethical practice in nursing homes. Journal of Nursing Ethics, 25(4), 518-529.
• American Geriatrics Society. (2020). Guidelines for ethical care in nursing home settings. AGS Reports.