Ten steps to healthy ageing in nursing homes

IN VIEW of the recent controversy relating to the mistreatment of older people in long-term care, I would like to draw your readers’ attention to an initiative which enables older residents in nursing homes and other care facilities to have a say in how their quality of life may be improved for the better.

The project was launched in January by the National Council for Ageing and Older People (NCAOP) and the Irish Health Promoting Hospitals Network (IHPHN), both of which have long recognised that supporting best practice in residential care facilities is crucial to the promotion of healthy ageing.

Working in collaboration with Age and Opportunity, the Carers’ Association, the Alzheimer’s Society, the Irish Nursing Homes’ Organisation and representatives from the former health boards, a list of ‘Ten Steps to Healthy Ageing’ has been designed to achieve person-centred care, a positive working environment for care workers and a family-friendly atmosphere in care facilities.

Since the project was launched, a wide range of activities have been initiated, including arts in residential care settings, holiday schemes, dancing, music and physical exercise.

There are also sessions involving reminiscence therapy and visits to locations which help to renew memories of the past.

There has been considerable interest from private nursing homes and from public residential care facilities throughout the country and workshops have already been held in Dublin and in counties Cork, Tipperary and Mayo.

Without discounting in any way the recent disturbing revelations, it should be noted that there are many examples of elderly care facilities where the residents are well cared for and where their physical and psychological needs are catered for to the best of the care staff’s ability.

We believe that the number of homes already committed to the initiative is proof that there are many in the residential care sector who are willing to do everything in their power to improve the quality of life of those in their care.

We would be delighted to hear from any person interested in the project and will be only too pleased to forward all relevant information pertaining to it.

Patricia Jaycock

National Co-ordinator

Health Promoting Residential Care Initiative

Irish Health Promoting Hospitals

c/o Connolly Hospital

Blanchardstown

Dublin 15