Culture Change in Long-Term Care Facilities Teaching Module

This PowerPoint teaching module compares medical and social models of care and discusses their strengths and limitations. It enables the student to describe the cultural change models in long-term care facilities as well as the ability to articulate the benefits of the models as identified by research. The Eden Alternative, as an example of a cultural change model, and specifically as a resident-centered model of care is described. Also covers the following topics: social models of disability as a socially constructed concept, limitation and illness, the cultural change movement as it addresses the needs of the whole person, physical structures redesigned to maximize the feeling of a homelike environment, consistent rather than rotating care providers, staff retention, resident-centered care, aging as a continued stage of development and growth, de-institutionalization of long-term care facilities and the elimination of the “three plagues of nursing homes: loneliness, helplessness and boredom.” Other sources of information for cultural change are offered.

Advanced Competencies Addressed in this Module:

• Development of strategies to change policies, regulations, and programs to improve the well-being of older adults and their caregivers, particularly historically underserved groups
• Development and implementation of service plans to assist older adults with health issues and difficulties in physical functioning
• Relationship of social work perspectives and theories to practice with older adults (e.g., person-in environment, social justice, strengths-based perspective)
• Designing and implementing interventions related to losses, changes and transitions over the life cycle with particular attention to: management of chronic illness and social functioning; and knowing the impact of change of residence