Types of facilities a SSD may work include Long Term Care settings. We will discuss the types of settings you may be employed.
What is Long Term Care? (LTC)
Confused?? Long Term Care is for people who need 24-hour care. It assists those with ongoing conditions. We use many different names for long term care units. I am sure most of you have all used one of these terms:
Types of Long Term Care facilities may include
Long term care units in hospitals – Some hospitals have long term care units in their hospitals.
Nursing facilities – Any facility that provides nursing care
Assisted living facilities - may provide everything, including skilled nursing care. Others provide only personal care, assistance with ADLs and/or social activities.
A typical long-term care facility may give only skilled nursing care. It may offer assisted living, dementia care, or even subacute care. Some facilities offer specialized care. Others care for all types of residents. The typical long-term care facility offers personal care for all residents and focused care for the residents with special needs. When specialized care is offered, the employees must have special training. Residents with similar needs may be placed in units together.
Working together is so important. It gets things done and it makes the resident feel more secure and content.
Goals of a long-term care facility
Is to provide a safe environment, maintain and promote health, and provide a satisfying social environment. Long term care facilities have mission statements.
See an example of a mission and vision statement . Click Here
You can find out the regulations for an adult care home at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website. Click Here
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services have many wonderful resources for the elderly. You can view some of these services at this link Click Here
Members of the Health Care Team
Residents have different needs and problems. This means that people with different kinds of education and experience help care for them this group is called the care team. Some of the team can consist of:
Administrator or Operator
Responsible for the overall operation of the adult care home
Responsible to a governing board or owners
Nursing director or nurse consultant
Registered nurse who directs resident care staff
Responsible to administrator
Physician
Directs all medical care for residents. Orders medications and treatments
Is usually “selected” by a resident rather than being a staff member of the adult care home.
Nursing personnel
Registered nurse (RN) may be part of regular staff or consultant
Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
Certified medication aide (CMA)
Certified nurse aide (CNA)
Nurse Aide Trainee II
Restorative nursing assistant
Hospice care providers
Non-nursing personnel
Social worker (MSW or LBSW)
Social Service Designee
Physical therapist (R-PT)
Food service supervisor
Dietitian or consultant dietitian
Unit clerk or secretary (ward clerk or health unit coordinator)
Occupational therapist (OTR)
Speech-language pathologist/audiologist (SLP/A)
Activity professional or assistant
House keeper
Maintenance workers
Laundry workers
Volunteers -One of the most important gifts that can be offered to a resident is the gift of ageless friendship. The losses associated with being in a care setting are profound, and depression is prevalent in every setting. One way to lessen the loneliness is to bring in volunteers of all ages to visit on a one-on-one basis and match them with an individual who has no family or visitors close by.
Organization of an Adult Care Home
May have a chain of command that looks something like this
May include these departments:
Board of Directors/Trustees
Administrator/Operator
Specific Department heads as
Nursing: Director of Nurses
Purchasing – orders supplies when needed
Housekeeping – housekeeping duties have policies and procedures that must be followed closely. All staff is very concerned of infection control issues.
Maintenance – repairs made in the facility within their capabilities, such as changing light bulbs, painting upkeep, etc.
Business office – keeps financial matters current
Food service – assures food is appetizing, healthy and meets current state and federal standards.
Laundry- keeps resident clothes neat and clean. They are responsible to keep the clothes sorted and given back to the correct owner.
The way that seniors and people with disabilities live has changed a lot over the years. They used to have just two choices: living at home or living in a nursing home. Now people have many choices. As professionals we may find that our services can be provide in many settings.
This poem was written by a nurse aide. I believe it applies to the SSD as well:
I start each day of my professional life,
remembering and practicing a code of ethics.
I have a special gift from God called caring,
it is weaved within my soul.
I reach out with this gift and help others in need.
I plant a seed to watch it grow and flourish.
I nourish it, then pass it on.
For the true meaning of caring
is to love unselfishly with an undivided heart.
I administer ADL's to my residents
with respect and privacy.
I give the best care possible,
in hopes to earn their trust,
therefore, creating a confidence that will endure.
If I could look inside my residents hearts
what would I see?
All residents suffer pain from losses.
Some residents hid behind a wall of untrust,
rebellion, or rejection.
but, the majority of residents,
live out their lives accepting
our help with open arms.
It is not my place to judge,
or to change their disposition,
but to offer kindness in empathy for their grief’s.
I respect their feelings,
and most important I respect and protect their rights.
I am their advocate and I will intercede for them.
It is my duty to encourage them to step forward.
To challenge rehabilitation
with dedication and determination.
I must act in a respectful and professional manner.
I put their needs first and refrain from gossip
within my life or the hardships of my profession.
I will honor their right not only to live,
but to die in dignity and self respect.
Let me not forget
that I too, may become dependant for care someday.
I could find myself destined to long term care
or rehabilitation,
I hope to be given quality care,
privacy, respect and rights.
As every resident is entitled to receive.
I administer health care knowing that every man
and every woman is somebody's mother,
father, daughter or son.
Life is to short to worry
about the petty things of yesterday,
and to long to anticipate the future.
So I live for today in hopes
that any unfinished challenges
will be brought forth and conquered tomorrow.
Where does a Social Service Designee Work?
