If you’re wondering what the future of nursing homes looks like, you’re not alone as there are some question marks. As long-term care facilities deal with the aftermath of COVID-19, the need for a new approach is increasingly apparent. Market research reveals that many of the major players in the industry are adopting new strategies.
The Future of Nursing Homes
However, it’s unknown how those strategies will impact the future of nursing homes and its residents. Nursing homes should tune into the following four changes on the horizon to grow and serve clients better.
New Practice Model
The organizational framework that defines assisted living has remained relatively consistent for many years. Most facilities have shifted from a physical-needs model to a person-centered approach that provides holistic care to residents. It has ushered in many improvements, but room for further improvement still exists. A new practice model that combines whole-person care with a greater emphasis on residents’ social and emotional needs could emerge.
New Modes of Delivery
The pandemic forced every industry to try and shift operations online, and nursing homes are no exception. The nature of the industry made it challenging to reduce in-person contact substantially. Additionally, some parts of the experience have been moved online, including modes of delivering information. Families who want to tour a facility may now do so online rather than in person. Also, documents may be transmitted electronically rather than in a paper format. These changes are likely here to stay, and they may be a beneficial tool for nursing home risk management. Shifting some services to an online modality can make facilities more secure.
New Services for Clientele
Nursing homes offer clients a standard set of services. These services include housing, medical care, meals, and assistance with daily tasks. Some facilities built to this list, though, as part of the aforementioned shift in practice models. Some facilities further provide counseling and psychiatric care to support residents’ social and mental health needs. These new services mark a positive shift in acknowledging residents’ broad scope of needs.
New Policies and Protocol
Many nursing home policies changed when COVID-19 hit, and some of those changes are proving to be permanent. One of these changes was a shift from shared living quarters to single-occupancy quarters. COVID highlighted a fact that was true long before the pandemic. Double occupancy rooms increase the risk of disease transmission and can put an entire facility at greater risk of illness. More rooms designed to accommodate single people can be a significant investment in patient safety. Lastly, it helps propel the overall nursing home risk management.
