An innovative and person-centred approach to physical, mental, social and dietary health for the elderly at the state-of-the art DomusVi Ciudad de Murcia residence

When thinking about how to take care of elderly or infirm friends and relatives there is a temptation to fall into the trap of thinking that there is a “correct way” of going about it, of keeping the person healthy and happy.

Similarly, some might imagine that looking after ailing or aging relatives is simply a question of supplying and administering the right medication and medical treatments.

However, it doesn’t take a lot of reflection to realize that the reality is very different, and all of the staff at the DomusVi residence in the city of Murcia, which welcomes both short- and long-term residents, are absolutely aware of this. As director Cristina Pastor says, “we do everything possible to help our residents to feel at home, providing a safe, comfortable and adapted environment” - but what constitutes “feeling at home” is very different from one person to another!

In consequence, the care model at all DomusVI residences, including the one in the city of Murcia, focuses not on a fixed program, but on the individual people who are living there, either temporarily or in the long term. The residents and their families are encouraged to take part in decision-making processes, to make requests and to ask questions, and although dietary and medical “rules” have to be adhered to in some cases the objective is always to take into account their individual preferences, tastes and wishes as well as their needs.

DIETARY HEALTH

The case of food and nutrition offers a good example of this. In In the DomusVi Ciudad de Murcia residence for the elderly, one of the hallmarks of the care offered is the focus on individual needs, and in the case of food this topic is treated with high priority so that all residents, whether temporary or long-term, can actively enjoy mealtimes as their own tastes and preferences are catered for.

At a very basic physiological level, the main aims of food are to meet our energy needs and to enable the body to regulate its proper functioning and growth. A proper diet also helps to ward off illness and thus ensure a healthy ageing process, and neither must the social aspect of sharing tables and meals be underestimated as a source of pleasure.

The DomusVi Ciudad de Murcia residence has its own kitchen in which menus are prepared to cater for the nutritional needs of each resident while at the same time residents can control to a certain extent how their menu is adapted to their individual preferences. They can specify some of the ingredients used and the cooking process itself, meaning that menus are varied and balanced – never forgetting the need to ensure that all the necessary nutrients are provided.

There is even a special “Nutri++” program developed by DomusVi to alleviate dysphagia, a problem common in the elderly which consists of experiencing difficulty in swallowing and which affects the digestive health of over 2.5 million people in Spain according to the Spanish Otorhinolaryngology Society (SEORL).

The only acceptable level for the dining-room services provided is, for DomusVi, “exceptional”!

SOCIAL HEALTH

An important part of DomusVi residents’ well-being is, without any doubt, the opportunities they have to take part in social events and gatherings all year round, and such activities are programmed throughout the year to promote social and emotional health.

This plays a vital role in ensuring that all residents feel truly at home, and birthdays are celebrated as special events while traditional holidays such as Christmas and the New Year are especially important in guaranteeing that they do not feel left out or forgotten. Only in this way can those who work at the residence all year round see that they are doing their job successfully, as the people they look after enjoy themselves exactly as they did earlier in their lives – or perhaps even more so!

Neither are the social events limited to internal affairs, and at the DomusVi Murcia residence it is common to see organized interactions with local primary schools, restaurants, music societies as well as short-distance excursions to places and events of interest.

All this reflects the commitment at DomusVi to providing “person-centred attention”, the premise being that the individual resident is at the centre of all the services provided for them!

THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

As part of the efforts to encourage residents to keep learning and enjoying new experiences, much is made at DomusVi of the need to incorporate modern technology into their individualized care programs and daily lives.

This includes the use of modern gadgetry such as virtual reality goggles, “robotic pet cats”, the innovative “LIVES WITH A STORY” methodology (which involves compiling life stories with the aid of family members and friends), a “SENIOR UNIVERSITY” initiative, the approach to food and nourishment mentioned above and a “multi-sensory trolley”!

Such innovations provide great enjoyment and mental stimulation, but above all, from a care point of view, they have been shown to make life more comfortable and interactive for a wide variety of residents.

In short, Cristina Pastor believes that “new technologies offer the elderly an opportunity to learn new skills, keeping them up to date and ensuring that their minds remain active while they enjoy their leisure time”.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

The emphasis on a holistic or “person-centred” approach to care can by no means be taken to imply that DomusVi neglect in any way the physical and physiological health of their residents, and alongside the medical teams all residences recognize that physiotherapy is an essential part of maximizing well-being. It is always borne in mind that physio plays an important part not only in those who are recovering from illness or injury but also in maintaining basic fitness and mobility for all residents.

Staff at DomusVi Ciudad de Murcia are fully skilled and equipped to aid in the recovery of residents from long periods of inactivity which might be the result of surgery, injury, cardiovascular problems and a myriad of other potential causes. They have years of experience in such treating and caring for elderly people in need of rehabilitation, and state-of-the-art equipment is used in cases such as those listed above.

Again, the individual preferences and abilities of each resident are taken into account following the objective medical assessment, and all treatment plans can be modified to suit the progress of the individual at any point.

 

At all DomusVi centres there are staff who speak English, so if you decide that the point has been reached where a family member or friend needs residential care, whether long- or short-term, contact DomusVi and find out how they can help you – it’s easier than you might think!

article_detail