It is estimated that approximately 1.25 million people in America live in nursing homes. This can be on a short-term basis, such as when an elderly patient receives care and bed rest after a fall, or on a permanent basis if they have severe or chronic conditions that necessitate 24/7 care and assistance. Nursing homes are a vital part of the wider healthcare economy and provide an increasingly important role in modern society.
It is recognized that the global population is aging, and this trend is predicted to continue for the foreseeable future. With an aging world population comes the need to have a larger range of nursing homes to serve local elderly communities. In this article, the topic of nursing homes is explored, specifically a detailed description of three of the most commonly used products and equipment that are found at these premises.
Table of Contents
Thickening agents
Many elderly patients in nursing homes have problems when it comes to swallowing food or beverages. In some cases, this can be the result of advanced aging, although it is commonly the result of having suffered a stroke or TIA and sustaining neurological damage, which can affect the ability to swallow effectively.
Because of this common medical problem, many nursing homes will hold a stock of thickening agents on their premises. This can include an array of thickening products such as SimplyThick mix. In short, these products are highly effective in helping dysphasia patients consume food without the anxiety and distress of being at risk of choking on their meals and beverages. They have become a vital part of any nursing home supply room and can help the elderly consume and enjoy their food far more effectively.
Patient alarms and sensors
Many senior citizens who reside in nursing homes will have poor levels of general mobility. This can be because of having medical conditions such as osteoporosis or worsening levels of balance and coordination. This means that they are at an increased risk of sustaining injuries due to slips or falls and need to be monitored at night when not being supervised.
Patient alarms and sensors play a vital role in this process and are another important piece of equipment in most nursing homes. Patient alarms can be programmed to alert staff if the patient has not moved in hours, which may indicate that they have fallen. In addition, sensing mats can be fitted to the floors of patients’ bedrooms and sound an alarm when pressure is sensed in one spot for a period of time. Other patient sensor models can be worn by the elderly resident
PPE
In the last few years, the importance of wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) has been highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Put simply, effective use of PPE can help to stop the spread of germs and diseases between nursing home residents and healthcare professionals.
Commonly, sterile gloves and surgical gowns will be worn when treating patients with infectious diseases or illnesses, and many types of this equipment are single-use, being securely disposed of after being worn. PPE use can be an essential way to stop the spread of illness and disease in the nursing home environment. This is incredibly important when you consider that the immune systems of elderly residents may be weaker than those in the general population.
