Pioneer movement in long-term care

Don Lindman's June 22 article "A nursing home that knows what it should do" describes a local elder care facility that does a great job in promoting its residents' quality of life.

I am happy to report that many of the wonderful services that this facility offers, such as large activity areas, resident cooking programs and family support groups, are increasingly being offered at nursing facilities across Illinois.

Many Illinois long-term care professionals are part of the growing "pioneer movement" to make our nursing facilities less like hospitals and more like real homes.

Among the positive elements of this culture change initiative are restaurant-style dining programs, spa-like bathing areas, smaller "households" within a building that contain individually-decorated resident rooms, and many recreation programs involving pets, children, and community groups.

These nursing facilities truly are the residents' homes, and every effort should be made to make them as comfortable and home-like as possible.

We applaud nursing facilities such as the one described in Lindman's article as shining examples of the positive direction that is taking place today in Illinois' long-term care community.

Kevin Kavanaugh

Director

Community Education

Illinois Council on Long Term Care

Springfield