Death is such a taboo subject in our society, but for long-term care residents (those living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities) often it is even more of a forbidden subject. Why should the right to grieve and express emotions over the loss of a friend stop upon entry into a long-term care facility? In most facilities when a resident dies, the resident is taken out through the back door once all the other residents are secured in their rooms with the doors closed.
The Triangle J Area Agency on Aging Ombudsman Program is helping to guide facilities toward person-centered care or culture change. Efforts to change the approach of dealing with death and dying in long-term care facilities can have a tremendous impact on this culture change movement – and on the mental outlook of someone facing the end of life.
So many are affected by the death of a resident - family and friends, facility staff, and other residents. How the facility responds to death sends a message to the remaining residents. Facilities that celebrate a resident’s life with a memorial service are amazed at how much everyone appreciates the opportunity to honor the person. Some facilities invite residents and staff members to share stories, poems or songs about the deceased resident.
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Our hope is that more facilities will embrace the idea and begin holding memorial services.
What a compassionate and caring gift to give residents and family members. |
For more information about how to begin memorial services in a long-term care facility, contact your Long-term Care Regional Ombudsman.
Nancy Murphy
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Triangle J Area Agency on Aging
TJAAA Ombudsman Contact Information
For more information on the Ombudsman program in North Carolina
For more information on the Ombudsman program nationwide
For more information on culture change & person centered care
For more information on ideas for memorial services
For more information on long-term care
For more information on end-of-life issues in general
Triangle J Area Agency on Aging
Your governmental non-profit source of information for older adults and family caregivers.
www.tjaaa.org
www.fullcirclecare.org
Posted by Triangle J Area Agency on Aging 
