Life enrichment for long-stay patients in acute care: an interdisciplinary program

Mr. T's stay on a medical unit became much more meaningful and enjoyable for him as a result of the LEP. Patient Focus sessions, which included input from his family, elicited several changes. Reassessments revealed that he could walk short distances with assistance, hence, he was placed on a toileting regime and he remained continent. His volunteer devoted at least two visits a week to him, and as the communication patterns improved, he was able to be taken to the coffee shop regularly. Furthermore, his hidden talents were discovered in recreation sessions and he soon started bringing samples of artwork to his room to be posted on his bulletin board. Smiles and laughter, instead of anger, became the norm when people greeted him in his chair by the nursing station. The team felt that Mr. T had reached nursing home level of care but, unfortunately, his history of aggressive behaviour tended to make nursing home administrators wary and non-receptive. To date, the consensus of the health care teams which are involved with the LEP is that 45 minutes every two weeks for discussion and planning for a selected long-stay patient has been time well spent. The teams are proud of their collaborative efforts and achievements. Most of all, the patients and their families are pleased with the improved quality of life that has emerged.