The Advantages Of Long-Term Facilities

he primary focus of my research are the factors involved in the advantages of long-term facilities and how these institutions, its’ professionals, and next of kin can improve to support the elderly in the resolution of life. My hypothesis is that if the elderly can be nurtured by specific factors the elderly population can improve their general health by maintaining a healthy state of mind with activities that consist with being interactive with others and environment, also having the freedom to do basic things. The main method of research was done using qualitative interview processes (un-, semi- or structured interview) ,visual representations, and some systematically emerging quantitative data into themes surrounding the benefits of nursing
homes. The results concluded that there are certain psychological and social factors that improve the quality of life of the elderly population.

The Baby Boomer Generation will cause a sudden shift in the senior living industry.
As of 2010, 13% of the U.S. population is 65+. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that “by 2030, all of the baby boomers will have moved into the ranks of the older population. This will result in a shift in the age structure, from 13 percent of the population aged 65 and older in 2010 to 19 percent in 2030.” Logically speaking many generations will be affected dramatically if not prepared for the advancement of Baby Boomers. Not only will this group of people be abundant but are projected to have a higher life expectancy than previous generations. Higher expectancy means problems with the quality of life and quality of health care of the country. Furthermore, the age structure will significantly alter the overall plan of care at long-term facilities. Extension research is needed to improve the outlook for the generic field and long-term facilities. My paper primarily focuses on the social and psychological factors involved in the advantages of nursing homes and how these institutions, its’ professionals, and next of kin can improve to support the elderly in the resolution of
life. According to “Enriching in-person encounters through social media: A study on family connectedness for the elderly” although social media has been the cause of the social issues within the younger generations it’s important to note the benefits social media could have on the elderly population (R. Cornejo , M. Tentori, J. Favela, 2013, p. 2-6). Previous studies indicate that strong social networks may enhance the quality of life of older adults (Giles et al., 2005) improving their health (de Belvis et al., 2008), reducing their chances of developing cognitive decline (Fratiglioni et al., 2000), and eventually preventing an earlier death (House et al., 1988). In this experimental design researchers use a digital frame called Tlatoque to illustrate if this system significantly triggers offline encounters between older adults and their relatives. Tlatoque is partnered with Facebook systems to create a simplified version of Facebook allowing person to connect with family by using natural body movement to scroll, turn on/off, and play games. The frame has many applications including music and new functions for easy accessibility. During a 21-week study one family at a time which includes two training sessions pertaining to the use of the system. Afterwards, families were interviewed and computer system usage was correlated with amount of communication within families, initiated in-person encounters, and ultimately the family felt better about the family dynamic. Although, much of this was not quantitative data that was accounted for it does make sense that as a person ages barriers of communication are created by age differences between other relatives which may result in isolation. Furthermore, social media specifically, Tlatoque has created a bridge that may improve connectedness between families from the comfort of their home (nursing home or home). Transforming nursing homes into homes could result in a solution for major social and psychological issues such as isolation, depression, and cognitive decline.
In addition to benefits already stated there is speculation that specific factors contribute to the feeling of ‘sense of home’ which is defined in the article “Factors influencing a 'sense of home' for nursing home residents” as a feeling correlated with improvement of physical health and quality of life (J. van Hoof, H. Verbeek, B. Janssen, A. Eijkelenboom, S. Molony, E. Felix, K. Nieboer, E. L. Zwerts-Verhelst, J. and E. J. Wouters ,2016,p.7). In this experimental design there were three groups of people residents, staff, and family who were given cameras to capture photos of the feeling of ‘home.’ Participants were then selected for in depth interviews with residents and focus group sessions with relatives and professional caregivers. based on the photos they took themselves to communicate internal issues associated with factors contributing to ‘sense of home’. The results concluded that 15 factors attribute to ‘sense of home’ which can be categorized into three themes needed to thrive in a nursing home which consist of psychological factors, social factors, and lastly built
environment. The loss of control may be one of the most important concepts to understand when dealing with the elderly population. “How to improve the appropriation of space and the morale of residents in nursing homes” conducts a quasi-experimental design with four groups: enhanced control condition, predicted condition, random condition, and no treatment. Each of these groups were visited by students in enhanced control condition residents were able to control the predictability and duration. Predicted condition was informed and duration was decided by resident. Random condition was given random visits. Overall the concluded that residents with the most control (enhanced and predicted conditions) were linked to the improvement of health and psychological state. After 2-4 years residents were taken off program and participants who were put enhanced and predicted conditions dramatically declined in improvements while other two groups remained stable. Compliance without press was one the main factors targeted and measured which is a technique of lightly touching the arm of a person (YATF) “ You Are Free To…” to encourage residents to improve quality of life while also giving individuals the freedom to control their own decisions The study concluded that numbers were higher than when the same request for participation was made without using touching and YAFT. Examples like this make a crucial point that professional staff and caretakers should be further educated on the bed side manners associated with caring for the elderly appropriately. In conclusion, longevity has been improved by sciences and it’s important to do further research on the aging process and how the overall quality of life. There is many studies being conducted and further that has linked certain attributions to the thriving of social and psychological factors. I discovered that my hypothesis was partially accurate. I found other major factors and tools to equip the elderly population with the appropriate resources such as modern technology specifically, Social Networking Sites to enable healthy relationships; built environment to bring a ‘sense of home’ into nursing homes, elderly can fully achieve integrity with reestablishment of independency.