Patient involvement is a priority at Lakewood Health System Care Center in Staples, Minnesota. Instead of using data from surveys and reports to determine what residents want, Lakewood works directly with residents and families.

The nursing home has a resident council, which meets monthly to allow residents to discuss issues that are important to them. Quarterly, there is a larger meeting attended by nursing home management, which serves as a forum for residents to offer feedback directly to decision-makers. It lets residents advocate for themselves and on behalf of others who are unable to or uncomfortable with speaking directly to management.

Iris, a Lakewood resident and active member of the resident council, is grateful for the nursing home’s personalized attention.

“I like that they involve us in everything,” says Iris. “We know what’s going on. We have meetings and can share how we feel about the home. I feel that this is my home.”

By facilitating conversations with residents, Lakewood has opened communication channels that make it easier to identify and correct problems.

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Posted by QIO News