Elder Law

Study shows that Direct Care Workers are Essential to Quality Nursing Home and Home Health Care

By Levin & Perconti

The Direct Care Workers (DCWs) are integral to addressing the many elderly family members that live in both nursing homes and need personal care takers. The DCW is also a liaison to the nursing home staff, reporting the care-receiver?s medical and emotional status. The DCW is responsible for the actions of many of the elderly residents. They affect: when and whether the resident gets out of bed; how long the resident has to lie in wet pants; whether the resident?s teeth are brushed; if the nurse is notified of bed sores; whether the resident is malnourished and whether the resident has taken to any morning activities. These are vital activities to both a resident?s day and their stay at a nursing facility. Therefore the DCW is responsible for ensuring that nursing home abuse and negligence does not occur. One way to ensure this is through individualized care plans. Also supervisor training and dementia training can decrease elderly abuse. To read more about the DCW importance, please click the link.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on September 03, 2009 (boomark / email).