Senior Housing Inspection Report

Team B chose to cover Emeritus at Harbour of Pointe Shores, a senior community located in Ocean Shores, Washington. The team was interested in learning more about an assisted living and rehabilitation facility. It is also an opportunity to uncover the differences from an assisted living community and a skilled nursing facility. Emeritus at Harbour of Pointe Shores provides retirement and assisted living, respite services, and on-site rehabilitation. Similar to other long-term care facilities, the facility and staff are required to follow specific guidelines and regulations to maintain licensing and accreditation. However, these

As America continues to be a society of working class people, others retiring and needing help, there will always be the need for elderly care. The trend of the aging drives the facility’s business.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the aging population is likely to impact the necessary size and composition of the health care workforce (Center for Health Workforce Studies, 2006). There are now 35 million people over the age of 65 in the United States. It is estimated that about 1.6 million older adults will be living in nursing homes with almost half of the residents being over the age 85 years old (Kovner, Brewer, Fairchild, Poornima, Kim, and Jadjukic, 2007). The purpose of this paper is to he identify of facility and number of residents being care for. What would be the role of the nurse practitioner in this facility and the regulatory issues as it supports this role?

42 USCS 3002, The Public Health and Welfare, Chapter 35, lists the programs for older Americans. The Aging and Disability Resource Center is a part of the State’s system of long term care.

Another lady who resides at an assisted living facility that I operate gave me her views of living there. Her history is that of having dementia and she was becoming so forgetful, she was scared of burning her home down. Therefore, she and her family decided to move her to a place where she would have assistance in getting things done. She states

I have contacted the Davis County Health Department, she explained that they get the inquiries about what services are available for seniors most of them are widowed and wanting to stay in their own home for as long as possible. Most seniors living a fixed income and one of their biggest concerns are related to the their long term financial security and the increasing cost of the health care and they begin to question in how long that they will be able to remain independent. Area Agencies on Aging is a local aging program that will help seniors be in contact with available services in their area in regards to locating assists for food programs and other programs to help with their utilities (Aging Care, 2017).

Nursing homes and assisted facility homes are all examples of long term care facilities. These facilities are usually targeting individuals who are of geriatric age or need around the clock care (mental health and physical health). The residents in these communities have access to individually-tailored levels of individual or group-centered activities, programs, and assistance whether it is with home or personal care. Long term care facilities are generally for those who are unable to manage independently in the community. Specific types of long-term services include nursing homes, hospice care, home health agencies, and residential care facilities. The goal of these programs is to make sure each patient has a safe and comforting environment

When you hear the words, “Nursing Home”, what comes to mind? Sad, helpless, elderly individuals? The smell of urine? An overall, unpleasant place to reside in? Unfortunately, this generic description is accurate amongst majority of the nursing home facilities across the United States. More often than not, the elderly suffer from inhumane living conditions while residing in a nursing facility. Quite often we hear stories on the news about cases of elder abuse in the nursing home and we automatically think physical, mental, or emotional abuse from caregivers. However, the fact that these individuals are also living amongst unsanitary, inhumane conditions, and ran by a staff that includes

There is a good deal of information available to the public such as information on nursing homes, assisted living options, and long term care on the

Sometimes, the decision to place a senior citizen in an assisted living facility comes from sheer desperation. You, as the primary caregiver, have done all you can

The ombudsman program strives to promote community involvement via volunteer opportunities (Strengthening the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Provisions in the Older Americans Act, n.d.). They also educate consumers and long-term providers about patient’s rights and quality care procedures and practices. They have also become detrimental in the recommendations of changing laws, regulations, and policies as necessary while complying with federal laws (Strengthening the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Provisions in the Older Americans Act, n.d.). As previously mentioned, ombudsman program volunteers advocate for patient’s rights, quality care including personal care, and residential care within long-term care facilities (Strengthening the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Provisions in the Older Americans Act, n.d.). Promotion of the development of citizen organizations, family councils, and resident councils are also administrated through the ombudsman program (Strengthening the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Provisions in the Older Americans Act, n.d.).

Goal Statement To help elderly individuals maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities through systems of long-term care, and livable communities where their safety is not at risk. The goal is to find different programs and ways for the elderly to be protected against any kind of harm and abuse. Scope of the Problem

Community care involves different services provided by local communities to assist with individuals who are in a long-term care situation. According to “Administration on Aging,” Congress passed the Older American Act (OAA) in 1965 in response to the concern about a lack of community social services for older persons (2011). The OAA has provided a wide array of services for the organization and delivery of services to the older population and their caregivers. Adult day service programs are designed to provide a place to go while a family caregiver goes to work (“National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Information,” n.d.). These programs vary by location. Some programs provide health care services, others provide social activities, and there are a few that provide both services. Some social activities include various educational or exercise classes as

Another regulatory agency is Ombudsman program that was authorized under the Older Americans Act and administered by the Federal Administration on Aging, the LTC ombudsman program began in 1972 as a trial program and now every state has upheld its cause. (Stevenson & Grabowski, 2006). The program is mainly comprised of volunteer staff and the initial functions of the ombudsman program are to settle grievances made by or for residents of LTC facilities, in addition to educating providers and the public about residents’ rights and good care practices, and to serve as general advocates for residents in LTC facilities.

Furthermore, many elderly people’s families have also had difficulty with staff members who are unwilling to work with clients’ families to resolve concerns. These problems can make it very frustrating to find the appropriate retirement home because it can be difficult to find a retirement home that has a staff that is willing to answer consumer’s questions about their services.