Teresian House

Quality of Life Impact

"So eventually the home turned into a home, which is what it should be." - 20+ year staff member

Early to Mid-Implementation Signs of Quality of Life Impact: Increased levels of resident satisfaction formally (surveys) and informally (verbally to peers and staff); Increased levels of engagement (especially in residents with chronic health conditions or dementia); Emphasis by residents and staff on relationships and community; descriptions of the organization as "home" or "family."

Quality of Life Quantitative Findings

• 100% of residents enjoy private rooms. 88% of interviewees in the case study commented that private rooms are one of the most resident centered elements of Teresian House.
  
  
• Teresian House maintains high averages in Resident Satisfaction surveys . On a 2009 survey, only 20 out of 74 items ranked below a 4.0 (out of a 5 point scale), and zero items ranked below a 3.58.
  
  
• Teresian House consistently maintains a close to 100% occupancy rate (to be discussed in more detail in Organizational Impact findings).  
  
  
• On a 2007 resident survey, 93% percent of residents responded positively to the question, "Do you feel that you are part of the Teresian House family?"

Quality of Life Impact Qualitative Findings – Engagement of Residents (measured through resident interviews)

• Meaningful activities have an impact on the residents' quality of life. - "There are so many activities and I always participate. I danced in Dancing with the Residents with my speech pathologist's husband. He's only 40 and I'm 80!"
  
  
• The elimination of institutional environmental artifacts such as nurses' stations and semi-private rooms have enhanced the residents' experiences. - "When I first moved here, we had to share rooms. My roommate had a different schedule. I love my private room so much more."
  
  
• The emphasis on technology assists residents in maintaining contact with friends and families. - "All these social  activities are not for me. I like to stay in my room and the computer is my thing. The Wi-fi and technical help supports that. My brother is 90 and across the country, but we communicate everyday by e-mail."
  
  
• The fact that residents enjoy food from neighborhood kitchens at anytime of the day or night improves dietary intake and their social experiences. - "We can have whatever we want from the kitchen, so it helps with liking the food. We have families that regularly come in and make family meals in the kitchen for residents. It's fun."
  
  
• Staff responsiveness to residents has a profound effect on daily life. "When I first came, I would hear staff in the morning and I like to sleep in. I mentioned it to my RCC and it stopped immediately."
  
  
• A commitment to supporting individualizing personal space is respected. - "I can have practically whatever I want in my room. They've never denied me." 

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