Education Programs

Immersion as Education: Life in Long-term Care

Copyright 2016 by Sheila M. Greuel

By

Sheila M. Greuel, MA, Director Covenant Transitions

Program Description

Students will spend approximately 48 consecutive hours in a long- term care facility as a “resident” with a simulated disability of an older adult. 

This program will examine, review, and reflect on current trends in person-centered care for older adults. In addition, 

During the nursing home stay, participants will

· Be encouraged to relinquish their cell phones (which will be kept by the program facilitator and given to participants periodically throughout the weekend to check)

· Complete care facility admitting paperwork (as time allows)

· Meet with dietitian

· Move into their rooms

· Meet their resident roommate (if one is available for them) and take on the role of a resident

· Live as residents and participate in meals, activities, and daily routine with residents. 

· Be encouraged to journal 4 guided reflections during their 48 hour stay. 

· Be offered the opportunity to take on a challenge each AM and PM as part of their nursing home experience.

Examples of challenges may include: wearing an incontinence garment and using it, being isolated to their room and eating meals in their room, experiencing a “fall”, drinking thickened liquids or pureed foods, asking for an alcoholic drink, allowing staff to give them a bath, or asking staff if one can make an outside call on the telephone. After being discharged from the nursing home, the participants will participate in a two-hour debriefing and group reflection session with the instructor. 

The cost of this unique experience is $595.00. The cost includes all meals, materials (excluding books and any immunization activities) and payment to the nursing home for staying there. 

Participants will give all medications both prescription and over the counter medications to the nursing staff upon admittance to the care facility. The nursing staff will administer medications to the participants when they come to the nursing station to take their medications. Absolutely NO medications are allowed in the resident’s rooms. Your admitting paperwork will include information about any routine health care needs you may have. Please advise staff if you are in need of any medical or other assistance. 

Mandatory requirements prior to nursing home admission

· Every participant MUST present proof of negative TB* and Covid-19* test results

· MUST provide materials for a background check as required for ALL individuals admitted to the nursing home **

· Be willing to sign a release of liability waiver for the care facility and Covenant Transitions

*Costs incurred to acquire proper immunizations or test results are at the participant’s own expense. (TB tests are valid for one year prior to being admitted. So, if you have had a recent test with in the past year prior to the date you enter the long-term care facility, you will not be required to take another test if you have documentation indicating the date of your test and the results). Covid -19 test will be conducted prior to entering the facility. 

Participants are advised that there are residents with Hepatitis B living in the nursing home. Participants are strongly encouraged to be immunized for Hep. B prior to participation in the program. 

**Please email your Full Name, Date of Birth and Social Security Number to Sheila M. Greuel, Director of Covenant Transitions at smgreuel@covenanttransitions.org no later than September 18, 2018. A background check will be completed by the Social Services Director at Sullivan Rehab and Health Care Center prior to participants being allowed to stay in the long-term care facility. All documentation given to Sheila Greuel, Director of Covenant Transitions will be shredded upon admittance into the care facility. It is state law you must pass the background check to be admitted to the facility. 

Recommended Reading Any or all of these resources will provide depth of your understanding of person centered care and perspective of a care receiver. 

Lustbader, W. (1991). Counting on kindness: The dilemmas of dependency. New York. NY: 

Free Press.

Collins, J. (2009). Revolutionizing Quality of Life in Lon-Term Care The Person- Centered Way. ISBN 1-4392-4614-9

Gwande, A. (2014). Being Mortal. New York. NY: Metropolitan Books.

Thomas, W. (1996). A Life worth living: How someone you love can still enjoy life in a nursing home - The Eden Alternative in action. New York: Vanderwyk & Burnham.

Course Objectives

1. Participants will increase their knowledge and understanding of elder rights issues, nursing policy, and the Ombudsman program. 

2. Participants will identify at least three ethical practices they will employ while working with geriatric individuals. 

3.  Participants will interact with professionals in a professional manner to discuss issues facing long-term care residents which impact their quality of care.

Program Schedule

Note: Tuesday morning will be in lecture format.

Sheila Greuel, MA will be available during the weekend for consultation and can be used as an emergency contact for the Participant’s families. IF a family member needs to get in contact with one of the experience participants they can contact Sheila Greuel at 217 725-6081 and she will notify the participant immediately. 

To register for this unique personal and professional development opportunity which will provide you 20 CEs (3 of which count for Ethics CEs) Please complete the following registration form and submit payment to Covenant Transitions no later than September 18, 2018. The registration fee is nonrefundable. 

Payment  of $595 may be made by mailing a check payable to Covenant Transitions at 

Covenant Transitions

P.O. Box 453

Mattoon, IL 61938

OR by utilizing the PAY PAL option below. 

If you wish to earn CEs please make an additional $15 check payable to Continuing Education Institute of Illinois for each person wanting to earn CEs and include in your mailing to the above address. 

IF you utilize Pay Pal then please bring a $15 check for CEs to the training event. 

Please, if you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact Sheila Greuel, MA 

at 217 725-6081.