Emphasizing a Home-Like Environment
The primary reason for the shift from "patient" to "resident" is to underscore that the long-term care facility serves as the person’s home. Unlike a hospital, where a person is a "patient" receiving care for an acute, temporary condition, a long-term care facility is a place where an individual lives indefinitely. This includes settings like nursing homes, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities. The term "resident" promotes the idea of a permanent dwelling rather than a transient stay, which is central to a person's psychological well-being and sense of belonging.
Fostering a Person-Centered Model of Care
The "culture change movement" in long-term care, which gained momentum in the 1980s, shifted the industry away from an institutional, medicalized model towards a person-centered one. This approach focuses on the individual's preferences, dignity, and personal history, rather than just their medical diagnosis. Using the term "resident" is a core part of this movement because it:
- Promotes Dignity: It addresses individuals with respect, recognizing them as members of a community rather than merely recipients of medical treatment.
- Enhances Autonomy: It supports the idea that residents have the right to make choices about their daily activities and schedule, similar to how they would in their own home.
- Encourages Community: It helps create a sense of community among the individuals living in the facility, fostering social interactions and shared experiences.
Legal and Regulatory Significance
Many state and federal regulations have adopted the term "resident" to define the rights and protections of individuals in long-term care settings. The federal 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law is a landmark example, requiring nursing homes to promote the rights and dignity of each resident. This legal recognition formalizes the distinction between a long-term dwelling and a temporary medical treatment center.
The Importance of Resident Rights
As established by law, residents in long-term care facilities maintain the same fundamental rights as any citizen. The terminology reflects this emphasis on personal rights and empowerment. Key rights include:
- The right to be fully informed about available services.
- The right to participate in one's own care plan.
- The right to privacy and confidentiality.
- The right to dignity and freedom from abuse.
- The right to manage personal finances.
- The right to receive visitors of their choosing.
Resident vs. Patient in Healthcare Terminology
The difference between a resident and a patient lies in the context and duration of their stay within a healthcare setting. This distinction helps to define the philosophy of care and the individual's legal status.
| Feature | Patient | Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Context | Hospital or short-term clinic | Long-term care facility (e.g., nursing home, assisted living) |
| Duration of Stay | Temporary, often for acute illness or injury | Permanent or indefinite, for ongoing care and housing |
| Emphasis | Clinical and medical treatment | Home-like environment and quality of life |
| Terminology Goal | To define a person receiving treatment | To recognize a person living in a community |
| Rights | Focus on medical decisions and treatment consent | Focus on dignity, self-determination, and community participation |
The Role of Staff and Language
The language used by staff is critical in reinforcing the resident-centered philosophy. Using respectful and empowering language, including the term "resident," helps to create a culture where individuals feel valued and at home. The interdisciplinary team—which includes nurses, social workers, and other professionals—works together to assess and develop care plans based on the resident's specific, individual characteristics and preferences. This is in stark contrast to a hospital model, where the focus is typically on addressing a specific, short-term medical problem.
The Evolution of Assisted Living Language
The evolution of terminology is also evident in assisted living, which was closely associated with transforming language to emphasize the individual as an active consumer and decision-maker. Instead of using terms like "admission" and "discharge," which are common in hospitals, assisted living facilities might use terms like "move in" and "move out." This change was part of a larger effort to avoid the medicalized language of traditional healthcare and promote a more residential feel. The language, and thus the approach, in long-term care has moved to embrace and empower the individual, acknowledging their living situation rather than just their health needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, calling a person in a long-term care facility a "resident" is a deliberate and meaningful choice that reflects a modern, person-centered approach to care. It goes beyond simple semantics to define the individual's relationship with the facility and its staff, emphasizing dignity, self-determination, and a home-like environment. The shift from "patient" to "resident" signifies the recognition that these individuals are not just temporarily receiving medical treatment but are living members of a community, with rights and preferences that must be respected and upheld.
