Ageing in a Nursing Home: Foundations for Care

This book provides a comprehensive research-based guide to aged care that places the whole person at its center, sidestepping the constraints of a reductionist funding model. It explores topics such as ageing in a changing community, social gerontological care, a palliative approach, and community expectations. The author proposes a model of care that emphasizes individual residents and their unique lives, and includes narratives from older Australians to reinforce this. The book is a resource for all who have a stake in the provision of best practice residential aged care, and for academics and teachers who design and teach courses in aged care.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 284 pages
Publication date: 21 April 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Spending the final chapter of one's life in a nursing home is often viewed as a fate worse than death, according to many. However, there is a growing belief that through enlightened and imaginative care, even the most fragile lives can thrive. The key to this transformation lies in replacing the constricting custodial centers of the past with a more informed and research-based approach. This timely book responds to evidence of the urgent need for change, as described in the Australian Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety Final Report: Care, Dignity, and Respect, and its predecessor, Neglect.

In this book, the author presents a model of care that centers around the whole person, avoiding the limitations of a reductionist funding model that focuses solely on residents' deficits and the proprietors' financial gain. Aged care requires a comprehensive and research-based guide to achieve this goal. Throughout the book, narratives are included to emphasize that nursing home care is about individual residents and their unique lives. Various chapters explore topics such as:

Ageing in a Changing Community: Understanding the dynamics of an aging society and the challenges it presents.

Social, Gerontological Care: Exploring the role of social workers, psychologists, and other professionals in providing support and care to older adults.

A Palliative Approach: Understanding the importance of palliative care in addressing end-of-life issues and providing comfort to residents.

Community Expectations: Addressing the expectations and concerns of families, caregivers, and the broader community regarding nursing home care.

Ageing in a Nursing Home: Foundations for Care takes a realistic approach that draws on contemporary research and narratives from the unique lives of older Australians. These individuals, despite their frailty, offer valuable insights and teachings on how to care. Such knowledge informs and influences their future, shaping the quality of their lives.

The book is a valuable resource for all who have a stake in the provision of best practice residential aged care, as well as for all who benefit from such care. Its academic appeal extends to those who design and teach courses in aged care, including gerontology, general practice medicine, nursing, and attend. By embracing a more informed and person-centered approach, we can strive to create a caring and supportive environment for older adults, ensuring that they receive the dignity and respect they deserve in their final years.

Weight: 468g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030982690
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022