5 tips for renovating and decorating a nursing home.

Residence, nursing home, retirement home, small living unit, we take advantage of our last intervention at the Ehpad les Orchidées in Alsace to take stock of the fundamentals of a decoration or renovation project for your establishments.

Here are the 5 tips listed to help with a successful renovation of a seniors’ residence:

1. Start with a map of your nursing home

There are many renovation and decoration companies with experience in managing a residence for the elderly. They will help you with the allocated budget while ensuring safety with a senior-friendly design and decoration. Remember, every decision counts. For example, armchairs must offer comfort and can be easily moved in and out of a room or elsewhere. Signage must be evolving. Bathrooms must have heights adapted to the elderly and must meet the new PMR 2023 obligations, and the list goes on.

A plan is therefore the first element. Next, you need to list all the ideas you can think of. Some inspirations for the themes?

A new decoration, new furniture with artistic signage? This is the assurance of bringing visual comfort and well-being to the residents but also to you, the caregivers and the families!

It is important to keep interiors attractive, contemporary, and durable for residents to enjoy. However, the objective is to respect the allocated budget and not to “over-renovate” the installation. Conclusion: make a plan and lay the foundations of your reflections in a document.

We would like to take this opportunity to share with you some illustrations of our intervention. The front… was in a 1980’s condition…. The present is a little more poetic -;)

Wall decorations, frescoes, signage, window stickers, flowers, paintings… so many possibilities to transform your establishment, residence, retirement home, nursing home!!

Our Métamorphoze group offers you our various integrated services:

• Interior design and architecture advice.
• Design office for decorative, personalised signage and artistic window stickers.
• Workshop for the creation, manufacture and installation of wall decoration in the form of frescoes.

2. Communicate with affected residents and families. Co-construction and ideas are always good to take.

Residents should be involved in building renovations to establish a trusting working environment. It is important for staff and residents to trust the people they work with. Residents are also happy to be involved in the construction and renovation process; This is why a small meeting will be important to answer a few questions from staff and residents that could affect their way of living with the construction in progress and their way of life after the renovation. When opinions and suggestions are gathered, the expected outcome should favour staff and residents. That’s why open, real-time communication is essential WITHOUT forgetting families.

3. Envisagez une touche de technologie dans l’installation.

An integral part of building management is selecting the essential means of entertainment and communication between residents and their families outside the facility. Many high-end senior living residences have been transformed into a more exciting venue by adding useful features and amenities for residents, such as an ice cream parlour, a country store, a post office, and a theater hall.

Some senior living facilities have upgraded their movie theaters with comfortable seating, beautifully hung curtains, concession stands on the side, an area for popcorn and refreshments, with the latest big screen or TV for a much clearer view and details of the movie and like. And yes, the style and design could be much better than a typical movie theater in the mall.

Similarly, the importance of having computers can also be considered for all residents to encourage them to communicate and connect with family members via email and other social media platforms. Seeing photos of their family at a picnic out of town on the internet makes the distance closer and the time shorter than without having anything at all.

4. Provide a comfortable and less noisy environment

While the construction or renovation process is underway, it will be temporarily difficult for residents to move around or go about their daily lives. However, being aware of the resident’s schedule of these activities will help improve the comfort level without causing a delay in the renovation. It is also beneficial to ensure that all dust, vibration, and noise involved in the work will be controlled.

5. Regular evaluation of the institution

When the renovation is complete, the installation should be maintained by a routine evaluation for any signs of wear and tear and any possibility of repair needed for at least six months to a year. Anticipating problems saves time and money and prevents the installation from looking worn out, which can have a negative impact on residents’ perceptions. It is important to set up a reserve fund for this purpose in order to maintain quality comfort and safety for the staff and its residents during their stay in the facility.

Infection control risk assessment

Another important consideration in relation to resident safety is adherence to the matrix of precautions listed in the infection control risk assessment. The matrix was originally developed for hospital use only. However, it now needs to be used when renovating or building short-term or long-term elderly care facilities, as they share many similar characteristics. The considerations included in the matrix are:

• The impact of interrupting important activities for patients and employees;
• Identification of potential hazards and the necessary protections for each;
• Evaluation of internal and external activities during construction; and
• Evaluation of locations and appropriate treatment of identified hazards.

Conclusion

Renovating a senior living facility is a serious process that also requires full planning and coordination with the general contractor, who must also be very sensitive to the resident’s needs for occupied facilities. Don’t forget that the absolute priority of a residence for the elderly is the safety of its residents, its well-being.

Let’s go a little further: Change management is also fundamental to the success of your renovation.

Renovation of Skilled Nursing Facilities: Property Adjustment and Culture Upgrade

Successfully implementing cultural change in a skilled nursing facility begins with visionary leaders who recognize the inherent connection between the physical environment and the delivery of person-centered care. Even the most impressive and creative renovation will fail to have a significant positive impact on resident care if a similar mindset adjustment does not take hold in the culture. If you change your facility without changing the philosophy, your residents will be deprived of the benefits and value that the two can bring together.

Many skilled nursing facilities are transitioning from a medical model to a person-centered model that residents and their families have been so desired. But, in order to successfully accomplish this change, a leader’s vision must include both facility adjustments and internal process reviews that focus on new practices in delivering care to residents. Let’s explore how to create an environment that promotes and supports resident independence, individualized care, and positive outcomes.

CHANGE MANAGEMENT

Every seasoned leader knows that guiding change is a challenge that requires careful attention – and renovating a facility and culture is no different.

It is important for staff to understand the vision of change and why person-centred care is so important. It is essential that they understand the benefits that residents will receive and how this affects the sustainability of the business and their careers. As specific adjustments are considered, it is essential to obtain feedback and buy-in from staff, management, residents, and families. If the changes that are made are not feasible and effective for the staff, they will revert to their old habits and cause values to waver. For example, a renovation we helped design included a significant change in the nurses’ station, making it more discreet. However, buy-in had not been obtained and training had not been effective.

In our experience, we’ve found six elements that are critical to successful facility and grow renovations:

1. The effort has a strong adhesion at the top. Senior management is supportive of the initiative and understands both the costs and benefits. Managers lead by example through day-to-day behaviours and decisions.
2. All employees are focused on common values. Employees are clear about where they stand in strategic terms and where they want to be. They defined a model, complemented by clear strategies on how to fill the gaps. All divisions, teams, and individuals know their roles and feel committed to the desired outcomes.
3. Change initiatives are led by the team. Teamwork strengthens individual development and produces a real change in the culture. When a group of people begins to function more effectively, momentum for change is underway and the chances of success are improved.
4. Skills-based training is provided . As part of the orientation process for new employees, new staff members receive both competency-based training and a clear description of the vision and mission. Employee training ensures that concepts and language are understood by everyone. Cross-training creates support for change by providing skills that allow people to contribute and “challenge themselves.”
5. Initiatives are measured. Successful change initiatives use clearly defined metrics to assess the degree of success. Accountability is present to ensure that the appropriate steps are taken to effect the necessary changes.
6. The management is sticking to the plan. Successful change initiatives take time to be fully implemented. Research shows that it often takes at least three years for change to take full root and demonstrate lasting cultural change. Be persistent, but patient.

PLANT CHANGES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

As you look to adjust your culture to be more person-centered, make sure that the physical adjustments you implement will have a real impact. On a recent visit to a renovated facility, we saw a resident take advantage of a newly created place to rest in a previously long and uninterrupted hallway. This change has made a difference in her quality of life. Understanding what residents want and need to change, and creating a space that meets those needs, is key.

Improving the entrance sets the stage for people to interact and meet the expectations of your home. Is it welcoming? Does everyone feel welcome? Entrance canopies can allow for covered loading and unloading in all weathers. The assisted entrances are suitable for all levels of mobility. To complement the new mindset, be sure to designate a receptionist or host to ensure a friendly face is ready for every engagement.

Hallways provide great opportunities to refresh a facility and provide a more person-centered experience. Installing handrails on both sides and providing resting places in long hallways helps those in need. Ensuring that the rails are ergonomic and attractive will make it a valuable resource for residents and help improve the visual appearance of the hallway. Installing corner guards and maintaining finishes can prevent unsightly wear and tear on walkers and wheelchairs. Age-appropriate artwork and seasonal decorations are often welcome additions that stimulate conversation and memory in these environments.

Recently, dining rooms have undergone some of the most drastic changes to improve person-centered care in skilled nursing facilities. Create small, intimate dining experiences with bistros or spaces that offer a home-from-home feel. Also, create a space that offers options such as buffet style, sit-down service, table service, and even room service. And make sure residents have a choice of when and what they eat. You can create a great dining space, but if the staff doesn’t create a rich experience, you risk having an underutilized area.

Common areas offer a myriad of opportunities to improve the lives of residents and their families. These areas can be upgraded to allow people to enjoy specific activities and engage in community-building efforts. Small, self-contained libraries provide a place not only to read, but also to visit others in a more intimate setting. Trade fairs and lounges can also be used for this purpose. But, while it’s important to create a space for dancing and Wii tournaments, staff need to be prepared to adapt the space. For example, a team may see that shy people don’t participate in a large group activity because the setting is overwhelming. This may be particularly relevant for people with advanced dementia. Different types of people and their needs need to be taken into account. This can be accomplished by helping them move to another room or by installing partition walls.

The classes provide residents with the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and engage in the community. But, if the design doesn’t provide staff with consistent lines of sight, these beautiful spaces tend to close off and become a source of frustration.

Residents’ rooms and bathrooms also offer great prospects for upgrading a facility while focusing on the person. Bathroom remodeling should consider including lockable medication storage. By including medication storage in each room, you can get rid of medical carts and have storage in a less accessible rear area. Many renovations also include fully equipped kitchens, more open doors, and amenities for family members.

The final recommendation for facility improvements relates to staff support and treatment areas. While many are repurposing areas such as nurses’ stations to develop a less medically friendly atmosphere in the facility, leaders need to ensure that the necessary staff duties are taken into account. For example, if you are eliminating the nurses’ position, you should still provide appropriate space for records. Many groups use technology upgrades, improved software, and wearable devices like tablets. These ensure that mapping is done, but provide more flexibility as to where this happens. Developing private spaces for treatment, medical consultations, and family gatherings is also vital.

YOU CAN’T HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER

We recently worked with an administrator who told us how proud he was of how one staff member had embraced the new culture. One resident received several good dining options (an improvement over the previous layout), but really wanted a chef’s salad. Without hesitation, a staff member went to the kitchen, located the ingredients and made a chef’s salad. She understood the revised mission and vision and didn’t have to worry about whether it was acceptable to her boss. Previously, the resident would have been told when he could eat. If he didn’t like the one choice he was given, he might have had the option of a can of vegetable soup. In addition, the staff member reportedly feared that he would be punished for “giving in”. The top-down change of philosophy, the quality of the multi-faceted training,

We can’t stress enough that, to make a real difference in the lives of residents, you need to change both the facility and the culture. Switching one without the other is almost guaranteed to be an inefficient use of time and money. In fact, that’s why we’ve teamed up to write this article – it takes a strong connection between the two disciplines of staff and facilities to make a change. But this change is definitely worth it, as residents and families enjoy a better living experience. And when we improve their lives, it impacts the quality of life of staff and the company’s bottom line.

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