Many times residents who can regain control are offered retraining programs to correct the problem. For others, proper attention to bathing and changes of clothing eliminate stale odors. The facility that is furnished with materials that do not absorb and retain odors and is kept clean with today's effective cleaning materials should have no noticeable unpleasant smell. Because nursing home care costs so much, the staff should wait on the residents. In reality, though, if the nursing home is to meet the goals of rehabilitation, maintenance, prevention, and support, the staff must encourage each resident to do as much as possible for himself.
Independence is important to self-esteem.
To plan and carry out care that promotes self-care, the nursing home staff must have expertise. It is that for which you are paying. It is true that a patient's request for attention is not always immediately answered. There may be an emergency elsewhere in the building that requires the staff's attention. Other residents may be receiving care at the same time so that assigned staff has to delay responding to the request.