Improving Quality of Life for Older People in Long-Stay Care ...

Residents were most positive about staff who chatted and showed an interest inthem. Overall, interaction amongst residents was good, although people wantedmore choice in relation to how these relationships were negotiated and mediated.There were widespread differences in the provision of activities across study sites.Some sites had an extensive range of activities while others provided little in theway of activities. Some residents, therefore, had good opportunities to pursuemeaningful activities while others did not. It was evident that some residents’days were long and boring; consequently, these residents were often frustratedand disengaged. Residents were most likely to participate in activities whichwere designed to take into account their own particular interests. The absenceof occupational therapy and physiotherapy were highlighted as particular concernsby residents and staff in both public and private facilities.ConclusionIt was evident that much work remains to be done in ensuring a good quality oflife for older people in long-stay care. Any new legislation will have to acknowledgethat residential care is the permanent home of the majority of its residents. Longstayfacilities must, therefore, be encouraged, through regulation and sanctions,to produce a more home-like environment and reduce the institutional feel of thesefacilities. Residents must be able to continue living as they did in their former homestaking into account their limitations and capabilities. Finding out what people likeand dislike is the first step to giving residents a more home-like environment. Givingpeople more choice will help to develop residents’ independence and autonomy,thus contributing to their dignity and self-respect. Dignity can also be upheld byrespecting residents’ need for privacy, through, for example, the provision of anadequate number of single rooms.31To date, not enough attention has been paid by policy-makers and regulators toquality of life, who have instead focused their attention on ensuring a good qualityof care. While this can be justified by the central role played by these facilities asproviders of care and the more tangible nature of quality of care indicators, theprominence given to quality of care, while necessary, is not sufficient and it isimperative that quality of life in long-stay care is also given the due recognitionit deserves. Older people in long-stay care are more than just patients, theyare individuals who deserve to live the remainder of their days with dignity and