Health care identified as main concern in nursing homes – Society

Seven out of 10 people gave a positive assessment of their experience with nursing homes in a collection of opinions published this Friday by the Lares Online platform, which points to healthcare as the point of greatest concern.

According to the same source, the facilities, hygiene and care of professionals were the factors with the best evaluation.

Among the main complaints usually reported, reported on the association’s own website, is the lack of hygiene.

“One of the most frequent complaints from family members in relation to nursing homes seems to be based on the lack of hygiene care”, reads the platform’s page, which presents information on the channels through which reports of mistreatment or other complaints can be filed. related to user support.

In the assessment now released, health care is “the most significant point of concern”, with reports of neglect and mistreatment. Food is also “a point of concern”, with testimonies of homes offering meals of low nutritional quality and little variety.

“Regarding the facilities, there is a disparity: while several respondents refer to the locations as modern, well-maintained, pleasant and safe, there are others who point out the age of the facilities and the lack of maintenance”, admits the platform.

The results now presented are based on the opinions of Portuguese people who left, in 2023, their contribution on the website evaluatelares.pt, launched by Lares Online, a year ago.

“60% of respondents positively evaluate the home with which they have a direct relationship and indicate the improvements that should be implemented in the home sector in Portugal, so that it becomes increasingly quality”, reads in the statement sent to the media.

More than a quarter of reviews (26%) are negative.

On a scale of 1 to 5, when asked about the conditions of the facilities in the homes, respondents gave a score of 3.73 regarding the care provided by professionals, the score was 3.72.

The hygiene of the facilities received a score of 3.63. Home food was rated with 3.53 and, finally, with 3.52, comes the health care provided by the home.

To develop this Index, four groups with different relationships with the homes evaluated were questioned, the platform indicated.

“Home employees tend to be more critical in all the indicators under analysis, especially regarding the care provided by professionals and the quality of the food. Residents are those with a more neutral perspective.

Those with a more positive view of the analyzed parameters are the residents’ families, who generally highlight, as a more positive indicator, the conditions of the facilities and the care provided by professionals – a reality that directly contrasts with the perception of employees” , stands out in the document.

“This discrepancy in perceptions clearly shows that employees, because they are directly involved in the daily operations of the homes, and know the challenges of caring for the elderly, are more demanding, and have a less optimistic outlook”, he adds.

Residents “have a more balanced view, but this topic raises some complexity — while some seniors may feel they are being well cared for, others may just believe that the treatment they are receiving is fair, that they deserve ‘only’ certain care This is a point that should be explored in future investigations, without a doubt”, said Marina Lopes, who founded and managed her own home, before establishing Lares Online, mentioned in the statement.

For the person responsible, the overall experience is positive, but the qualitative analysis of the evaluations reveals a reality that is neither perfect nor ideal. “This tells us that it is urgent to reinforce inspections, guaranteeing the well-being of the elderly and quality and happy aging”, she concluded.

The platform also reported that it notifies Social Security monthly about critical cases and that in 34 homes that it flagged as at risk, three were ordered to close.

To create this index, 423 assessments were collected and 341 homes were evaluated.