Happier Residents, Happier Homes – Key Benefits of Non-Drug Approaches in Long-Term Care Homes –

The core philosophy behind non-drug approaches is that people with dementia can still experience joy, purpose, and dignity when they are treated as individuals with unique needs and capabilities. When long-term care homes shift focus from managing behaviors with medications to engaging residents in meaningful activities, the overall atmosphere of the home changes. Happier Residents, Happier Homes

Residents are happier, more alert, and more engaged. This, in turn, creates a ripple effect, improving relationships between staff, residents, and families.

1. Reduced Pharmaceutical Costs 

• Lower medication usage:
• Non-drug interventions can decrease the need for medications like antipsychotics, sedatives, or even some dementia-specific drugs. This directly reduces pharmaceutical costs for the facility.

• Fewer side effects:
• Many dementia-related drugs come with side effects that often require additional treatment or monitoring, which adds to costs. By focusing on non-drug approaches, care homes can reduce the frequency of side effects. That will minimize the need for medical interventions or hospitalizations.

Happier Residents, Happier Homes

2. Improved Quality of Life for Residents 

• Person-centered care:
• Non-drug approaches, like those advocated by Dr. Cameron Camp and Teepa Snow, focus on engaging residents in activities that are meaningful to them. This engagement can lead to reduced anxiety, depression, and agitation—common symptoms in dementia that are often managed with drugs.

• Enhanced well-being:
• When residents are involved in familiar, purposeful tasks, they often experience a sense of accomplishment, identity, and emotional satisfaction. This reduces behavioral symptoms and fosters a sense of community and belonging, leading to happier, more content residents.

 

3. Better Staff-Resident Relationships 

• Less reliance on behavior-altering drugs:
• Medications can sometimes dull a person’s engagement with their environment, which in turn can increase dependence on staff. A non-drug approach encourages staff to develop better relationships with residents by focusing on meaningful communication and interaction.

• Increased job satisfaction for staff: Caregivers often report higher job satisfaction when they can interact positively with residents and see the results of their engagement, such as smiles, laughter, and improved mood. This creates a more positive atmosphere in the facility overall.

Key Benefits of Non-Drug Approaches in Long-Term Care Homes

4. Reduction in Negative Behavioral Symptoms 

• Non-drug interventions
• like creating individualized routines, offering choices, and using validation techniques—can significantly reduce common behavioral issues like wandering, aggression, and agitation. When these behaviors are managed effectively through engagement, there is less need for sedatives or antipsychotics, which are often prescribed to manage these symptoms.

• Decreased hospitalizations:
• By addressing behavioral symptoms and providing appropriate engagement, the incidence of falls, infections, or other complications linked to excessive sedation or agitation may also be reduced, leading to fewer hospitalizations and medical interventions.

Happier Residents, Happier Homes

5. Better Public Perception and Reputation 

• Innovative care models:
• A care home that embraces non-drug approaches like the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle®, Validation Method, or other person-centered strategies can build a reputation as an innovative and compassionate facility. This could make the home more attractive to families seeking placement for their loved ones, who may prioritize quality of life and dignity over purely medical care.

• Compliance with best practices:
• As public awareness grows about the overuse of antipsychotics in long-term care homes, homes that prioritize non-drug interventions are often seen as being on the cutting edge of ethical, resident-centered care. This can enhance the facility’s standing within the community and among regulatory bodies.

 

6. Sustainability in Long-Term Care 

• In the long run, a non-drug approach could create a more sustainable care model for the home. When caregivers learn to apply person-centered care and meaningful activity engagement, the facility may rely less on costly medical interventions. This could also reduce staff turnover, as caregivers may find more fulfillment in their roles.

 

In summary, a non-drug approach not only reduces pharmaceutical costs but also enhances the emotional and psychological well-being of residents. This leads to a healthier and more harmonious environment for everyone involved. This combination of economic and emotional benefits makes it a powerful strategy for any long-term care facility.

 

 

Join us for this brand new conference:

Integrating Non-Drug Therapies with the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® Approach

 

Make your LTC Home or Organization a happier place…check the possibilities for becoming a Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® credentialed community.