Elderly care: A comprehensive nursing review should be carried out every six months to ensure each resident living in Irish nursing homes is happy.
The recommendation is contained in a new directory of nursing homes to be published later today by the Irish Nursing Homes Organisation (INHO) and AG Education Services.
The directory, the first of its kind in the Republic, also provides information on the 'Contract of Care' between residents and nursing homes, thus ensuring the resident or their family knows what to look for when choosing a private nursing home.
INHO chief executive Paul Costello noted a massive rise in nursing home capacity since the last major industry review in 1995: "There has been a 43 per cent increase in the number of residential nursing home beds. There are now approximately 26,300 geriatric long-stay beds in the country and the majority of these beds are provided by the private sector."
The Nursing Homes Directory "will help people make an informed decision on residential care and ensure the highest standards of care are provided for older people," he said.
Some 500,000 Irish people are over 65 years of age and it is estimated 5 per cent will require a nursing home at some stage in their life - it is predicted the number of people over 65 will double by 2030.
Mr Costello said the directory provided information on the issues and regulations surrounding choosing and registering with a nursing home which were largely unknown by the general public.
It outlines Department of Health standards of care for nursing homes including nursing and medical care, nutrition, freedom of choice and safety. It also details financing options and contains a full list of health board-registered nursing homes. The directory is being distributed free to GP surgeries, regional health boards, geriatricians, public health nurses and hospitals.
For further information see www.nursinghomeireland.com
