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.