Defining Quality Care - The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving

Ten measurements of quality care are listed by Richard C. Birkel, Ph.D., at The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving . In "Defining Quality Care in Long Term, Home and Community Settings" Dr. Birkel starts with discussing care that is (1) safe, (2) effective, and (3) personalized.

Safe Care provides care that avoids injuries to the care-receiver or to the caregiver. I will add some examples for you:

• clearing the home of unsafe conditions
• safe lifting procedures and lifting devices when needed
• caregiver notes, emergency medical information, emergency contacts available
• training for caregivers
• emergency procedures for home caregivers re: calling 911, rescue workers, ambulances

Effective care is based on scientific knowledge. Again, some examples I might add include:

• caregiver training from the Red Cross in their new program
• caregiver support groups that provide education and other local city and state programs
• formal and informal training, books, internet

Personalized care respects the preferences, needs and values of the care-receiver. My additions of examples include:

• respecting preferences if someone wishes to remain in the home vs. facility
• treating care-receivers with respect for their values
• caregivers offering options and choices to the care-receiver when possible
• designing a customized care program specially tailored for the individual's satisfaction

For more about the other seven topics covered in Dr. Birkel's paper you can visit the RCI website.

Caregiver Training Offered by American Red Cross

At redcross.org you can read about a Family Caregiving Program offered by the American Red Cross that covers hands-on practical caregiving skills such as positioning people in bed, personal care, and providing healthy eating for someone who is elderly, has a chronic illness or is disabled.
The American Red Cross website says that 44 million American families are providing in-home care for a loved one.

A Family Caregiving Reference Guide is also available that covers hands-on practical basics such as assisting with bathing, positioning and helping someone to move, safety, and caring for the caregiver.

There is also a program for people who would like to become a Family Caregiving Leader or Provider.

You can contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross for more information, or go to the website and read about the training in detail.