Elderly thrive in Denmark
by Judy Steed
WHAT THE DANES REALLY WANT: The Danes do all they can to enable elders to stay in their own homes. And for those who are too frail, the country's nursing homes are small, homey and delightful.
IN TERMS OF services that elderly people actually want, Denmark – and neighbouring Sweden – are the best places in the world to grow old. Both have strong, cradle-to-grave social programs, and compete with each other – and with their Scandinavian cousins Norway and Finland – to give their citizens the best comprehensive elder care.
Danish and Swedish policies are designed to help people stay at home as long as possible through a variety of home-care services and regular house calls by doctors. In Denmark, regular monitoring of an elderly person's needs begin with a visit by a nurse when an individual turns 75. "That visit has a huge impact," MacAdam observes. "It reassures the individual and also educates the individual."
I am struck by the attitude of proud independence I encounter in many of the seniors I meet in the two countries, how they persist in doing the chores they are able to do. The system supports them where needed, but doesn't take over – not even in nursing homes, where they have kitchenettes so they can make their own toast and tea. "The philosophy is that, no matter how frail, you have a right to be in charge of your life," MacAdam says.
In the past 20 years, Denmark focused so much on home care that it stopped building long-term-care facilities. Now Danes are finding they need a few, and they're leading the world in creating small (by Ontario standards) nursing homes where the focus is on what people can do.
Many long-term-care facilities in Denmark and Sweden are homey, intimate environments where quality of life is paramount. Fresh flowers on dining-room tables, wine with meals and real camaraderie among staff and residents are among the hallmarks.
Such facilities contrast starkly with most in North America, where residents often have nothing to do. Despite the best efforts of recreational staff to organize cookie-baking or art classes, the overall paradigm of elder dependency prevails.
Abridged
SOURCE: Toronto Star - Ontario, Canada
-----------------------------------------------
An interesting article. Please go to source for the full-text. The rest of the world can learn from this.
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
1 comment:
There are actually places in both the US and the UK who do provide this level of quality care to residents (I've visited them in both countries)- however, what we lack is consistent high quality care. Within a five mile radius there can be some excellent facilities and some that you would just like to take the residents away in you car at that moment- rahter than seemingly relaxng standards for tose that don't make the grade, we need to tighten them.
Post a Comment