Irish residential care facilities should shift their focus away from nursing and toward a rehabilitation-centred model, according to new recommendations from the Association of Occupational Therapists (AOTI).
The recommendations, presented at the organisation's annual conference, also highlighted the need for occupational therapists' participation in the design of new nursing facilities and the need for more effective daily activity plans.
"At the moment, when someone goes into a nursing home, they're going into a nursing model of care, into an environment that might not be fully meeting their needs," AOTI member Emma Benton said. "We would encourage more purposeful activities within nursing homes that would allow people to continue to engage in hobbies or work experiences they had for their entire life."
By including occupational therapists in every aspect of nursing home care - from building design to individualised care plans - Ms Benton said many residents might have a much better chance of returning home after a temporary stay in a residential facility.
"We would do an activity analysis: if somebody liked to do a particular hobby or task, we would look to see if . . . they could continue to do them," she said.
"We would like to see that if somebody goes into a nursing home and has the opportunity to access rehabilitation, they might ultimately be able to go home."
The new recommendations were prompted in part by the Minister for Health Mary Harney's publication of the draft National Standards for Residential Care Settings and Older People in January. The draft includes mention of the need for more active, individualised nursing home care.
The standards are being amended and are expected to be implemented later in the year.
Ms Benton said the long-term benefits would outweigh any initial financial burden on the healthcare system. "If you can maintain someone's independence, keep someone walking independently, it reduces the need for special equipment and additional staff members," she said.
The organisation plans to publish a fact sheet of recommendations next month. It will be available on www.aoti.ie.