15 Myths about Social Welfare Homes

Myth 1 - Meals on command

In the Nursing Home, there is no question of giving meals on command. It is quite the opposite, the resident himself decides when what and where he will eat. Meals are served at two-hour intervals. In addition, residents also have the opportunity to prepare their own meals. In accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Labor and Social Policy of 23 August 2012 in the case of social welfare homes, auxiliary cookers are open 24 hours a day. As for dependent residents, they are provided with feeding by the home staff.

Myth 2 - You cannot have animals in the Nursing Home

It is a myth that pets are not allowed in the Nursing Home. The regulations do not prohibit keeping animals in such centers. Whether the resident can keep the animal with him or her depends only on the house rules, arrangements with the sanitary and epidemiological station and the consent of possible roommates. Of course, the animals must have daily and veterinary care. Besides, they are not allowed to enter the kitchens.

Myth 3 - One shared bathroom on the floor 

The aforementioned regulation also sets standards in terms of sanitation. It should be noted that for newly built houses, there is one toilet per room and a bathroom with a bath or shower.

Myth 4 - You cannot work in the social welfare home 

1) in terms of living needs, ensuring: 
   a) place of residence, 
   b) food, 
   c) clothing and footwear, 
   d) maintenance of cleanliness; 
2) caring, consisting in: 
   a) providing assistance in basic life activities, 
   b) care, 
   c) necessary assistance in dealing with personal matters; 
3) supporting, consisting in: 
   a) enabling participation in occupational therapy, 
   b) increasing the efficiency and activating the inhabitants of the house, including in the field of supporting or alternative communication, in the case of people with problems in verbal communication, 
   c) enabling the satisfaction of religious and cultural needs, 
   d) providing conditions for the development of self-government for the inhabitants of the house 
   e) stimulating the establishment, maintenance and development of contact with the family and local community, 
   f) activities aimed at making the inhabitant of the house independent, as far as possible, 
   g) help a resident of the house gaining independence to take up work, especially of a therapeutic nature, if the resident meets the conditions for such independence, 
   h) ensuring safe storage of cash and valuables, 
   i) financing for a house resident who does not have his own income, expenses for necessary personal items, in the amount not exceeding 30% of the permanent allowance referred to 37 permanent allowance 2 point 1 of the Act of 12 March 2004 on social assistance, hereinafter referred to as "the Act", 
   j) ensuring that the rights of the residents of the house are respected and that information about these rights is available to residents, 
   k) efficient filing and handling of complaints and requests from the residents of the house. 

Myth 5 - In the Nursing Home only for life 

A person referred to a nursing home does not have to stay there permanently. And even more, staying at home is supposed to contribute to the proper functioning and independence of the resident. Therefore, a resident who functions properly should receive support in returning to the environment.

Myth 6 - Everything is decided by the staff 

Not true! The resident has guaranteed subjective rights, including decent intimate treatment, the right to ensure personal freedom and respect, the right to make a choice / Article 55 of the Act on Social Assistance, point 2 /. Civil rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Poland are respected. 

Certain home standards also clearly define care requirements. The centers respect the rights and opinions of the residents. With the participation of the resident, he develops and implements his Individual Support Plan together with the employees of the therapeutic team, or selects a first contact employee. Residents are provided with conditions for the development of self-government through the operation of, for example, the Residents Council, which works in the area of planning and organizing life in the Nursing Home. 

Myth 7 - Nursing Home away from family and relatives 

The resident is directed to the Nursing Home in a convenient location, while maintaining the principle as close to the place of residence as possible. / with Art. 54 of the Act on social assistance, point 2 /. 

It is the potential future resident who decides whether he wants to stay in the proposed place. Only in the case of completely incapacitated people, such a decision is made by the legal guardian. 

Myth 8 - It's just a juggernaut, a place to die and a bad smell

Currently functioning houses are varied and suitably adapted to the health condition and the nature of the facility. According to the current legal status, it is not allowed to create nursing homes for more than 100 people. It may seem like a lot, but about a hundred people usually live in just one staircase in an apartment block. Thanks to the division of this space into smaller departments, green areas surrounding houses, separation of separate common rooms, spaces for meetings with families, you do not feel crowded or discomfort. DPS is currently an extensive offer for the resident, rehabilitation (including movement), therapy and well-kept residents. In the twenty-first century, all this is a necessary condition for the house to function. Everyone works in accordance with the guidelines and regulations on social welfare homes and the Act on Social Assistance.

Myth 9 - Only for the sick

A home is a place of life for many people. Generally, Nursing Homes are intended for people who require 24-hour care / Art. 54 point 1 Act on social assistance. 

But the inhabitants of the house are not only bedridden people, who mainly require nursing care. Often these are people who simply need contact with other people, and the company with other people with similar conditions prevents someone from feeling inferior and isolated. It is in such places that interpersonal social contacts are often rebuilt in order to reduce the feeling of isolation or abandonment.

Myth 10 - A prison you can't get out of 

Nursing Home is not a prison, there are no passes to go outside the premises. Each resident can leave the house on their own. There are only limitations when there is a threat to the life or health of a mentally disturbed resident of the house. Then the home director or the manager may limit the resident's ability to leave on their own, but only on the basis of a doctor's certificate issued for a specified period, but not longer than 6 months, indicating the legitimacy of such a restriction / Social Assistance Act art./52 points 2b, 2c /.

Myth 11 - Employees without competences 

Nursing homes employ professional staff to ensure impeccable care and support. Each facility has a defined activity profile and the appropriate number of employees. People who are employed must have appropriate qualifications and predispositions. Nowadays, no center allows itself to hire inadequate staff. The applicable standards also include continuous improvement of personnel qualifications. It is education through participation in courses or training. It is also an exchange of experiences with other institutions both in the country and abroad. 

Myth 12 - It's a facility with no comforts 

Each center must meet the appropriate standards and conditions for the building and operation. The whole house and the area around it is accessible for disabled people, it is free from any architectural barriers, in multi-storey buildings it is required to use an elevator. The size of the rooms is adjusted to the number of residents. There are guest rooms, rest corners, a chapel, therapy and rehabilitation rooms, computer rooms. The building is prepared and properly secured to ensure the safety of its tenants, it is equipped with a call and fire system, or even monitoring. In the house, each room is comfortably furnished and equipped with facilities for the disabled. Each has access to the Internet and a TV set.

Myth 13 - Free stay 

The topic of financing the stay in the Nursing Home and other social welfare institutions is controversial. 

Currently, the stay in the Nursing Home is payable, determined by way of a decision. The payment for the stay in the House is borne by the resident himself and his family members. Only when they are unable to cover the cost of living, the remaining amount is paid by the commune (Art. 61 of the Social Assistance Act). 

You can read about payments in nursing homes in EU countries on the website:

https://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=20225&langId=en 

Myth 14 - I have no choice, I have to stay in this and only this center 

The Nursing Home performs specific roles, performs specific tasks or functions. The house meets the specific needs of its residents. Everything is carried out in a regulated manner, in accordance with the Act and regulations. Every resident dissatisfied with the functioning of the house has the right to change or leave it.

Myth 15 - Boredom and nothing happens 

Residents of Nursing Homes cannot complain about boredom. Various events are organized with the participation of residents throughout the year. The residents are the originators and organizers of all events. Various celebrations are celebrated at home, such as holidays or other cultural and educational events. There are also plenty of activities organized outside the grounds. These are, for example, going to the cinema, theater or other cooperating institutions. Children and teenagers are also often present on its premises with artistic performances or other collaborating centers.