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L O N G T E R M C A R E F A C I L I T I E S | 0

Long Term Care Facilities

Jennifer Kitchen

SS368-01H


Long Term Care

As the population grows and medical advances increase the average life

expectancy there becomes a need for long term care. Many Americans live long

healthy lives but at some point they may need care for conditions that restrict their

ability to manage day to day undertakings. Long term care facilities offer 24 hour care

by skilled nursing staff to individuals with chronic illnesses and other disabling

conditions (Corr & Corr, 2009). The staff tries to maintain a quality of life for the

residents that help to keep them comfortable. The focal point of long term facilities is to

assist individuals in everyday living.

Assisted living facilities give individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities a

certain amount of independence and a voice in their own care. These facilities may be

recognized as skilled nursing facilities or nursing homes, intermediate care facilities,

and residential care facilities or retirement homes (Corr & Corr, 2009). These facilities

may serve just the elderly or they may serve people of all ages that need long term

care. Some people who reside in these facilities are there for physical rehabilitation that

is to extensive for outpatient care. I decided to visit The Valley Inn, a long term care

facility in Mancos, CO to see what long term facilities are all about.

The Valley Inn

Outside the sign reads “where quality of life is most important.” As I walked in

the main door I got a warm feeling and could smell food cooking. Inside it has the look

of a 4-star hotel and it is set in a beautiful valley with mountain views on every side. I

spoke with Ashley, a social services director who has been with this facility for almost 7


years. Ashley stated the goal at The Valley Inn was to help the residents feel at home

and as we walked around I saw many of the residents in the halls and recreation rooms

talking and laughing. There is an Alzheimer Specialty Unit that I was not allowed to

enter, as to not upset any of the residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia. There are 110

beds at this facility and at this time 77 beds are filled. Ashley informed me that all the

supervisors at the Valley Inn must be CNA certified even the social service director and

activity director. This facility has been open for 17 years and was started because the

owner, Joyce, “found a need” for a long term facility in her hometown of Mancos. Joyce

is partnered with C & G Health Care Management and The Valley Inn has 6 sister

facilities in other towns in the Southern Rockies area. The Valley Inn brochure reads “a

loving environment where residents come first.” They create individual care plans for

each resident and involve the loved ones in their care.

Ashley stated that this The Valley Inn is highly rated by the people of the

community and many of them like to get involved. There are many activities that require

community volunteers. I spoke to the activity director, Tim and his assistant, Samantha

and was shown a monthly schedule of activities that are held. I was astonished at not

only the number of daily activities but also at variety. Not only can the residents take

part in arts and crafts and games they also get to go on outings to Wal-Mart and the

casino, read the news and discuss views every morning, hold book club meetings

weekly and also get to attend balls and parties. I visited on a Monday and seen 3

babies visiting and every Friday the residents get to visit with the pets from all over

Mancos and the surrounding area. There is a resident doctor, a massage therapist, a

beauty and barber salon, and a restaurant where the residents can order off a real


menu at no extra charge. The residents can enjoy the music room, the living area with

a big screen TV, the solarium, the non-denominational chapel, and the flower and

vegetable gardens. There are Biker Rallies held twice a year to promote the facility and

the awareness of the community’s aging population. And every Halloween the facility is

decorated and children come by to “trick or treat”. Joyce and the partners of The Valley

Inn share ideas and discuss what is important while involving the staff and the residents

in the plans. The residents are free to give input on activities and many of the activities

they hold at the Valley Inn have been requested by residents. The Valley Inn is more

than just a place to wait to die, as Ashley put it, “it is a place for people to live.”

Discussion

When I started on this assignment I had a view of long term care facilities. It did

not match what I found at The Valley Inn. I have only been to one other long term care

and rehabilitation facility. It was nothing like this place. I know now that I should not

have prejudge this type of facility. The Valley Inn was a beautiful, comfortable place

that was bustling with activity. It was not some sterile, white walled medical center. It

did not smell of cleaning products and urine but like home cooking. I thought as I toured

the building and the grounds that long term care can be given in an enjoyable, relaxing

environment. I gained a new perspective on the end of life. Dying does not have to be

a lonesome experience. Some people live very a very long life but find they cannot

work through their end days and just need a place to live where life can be more

convenient. As the population of people over the age of 85 keeps growing people live

long healthy lives well past the age of retirement (Frontline, 2006). Family is not always

available to help care for the elderly and many do live in long term facilities. A dying


individual does not have to feel excluded from society simply because they live in an

institution to receive the assistance they need. They have the right to continue on living

until death does come for them. Long term care facilities may give this assistance while

helping maintain a quality of life.

It is almost springtime in the Rocky Mountains and there will be many events

going on and Tim told me that “the need for more volunteers is high.” So, I have signed

up to become a volunteer at The Valley Inn. It will be an experience for me for I have

never worked in any health institution so far. I only have experience in educational and

environmental volunteering. I have worked with ESL (English as a second language)

students tutoring them how to read and write essays in English. That gives me

experience with people. I told Tim I would like to work in the garden as well as assist in

outings and the various parties. If my background check is cleared by the end of the

week I would like to take part in the Mardi Gras party next week. I am looking forward

to forming relationships with some of the smiling faces I seen and more at The Valley

Inn.


References

Corr, C.A. and Corr, D.M., (2009). Death and Dying: Life and Living. Ohio: Cengage

Learning.

Frontline, (2006). Living Old: the modern realities of aging in America. PBS Home

Video.

The Valley Inn, 211 Third Ave, Mancos, CO 81328. (970)533-9031.

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