Making residents feel 'at home' in the nursing home: it doesn't take 'big dollars', but staff dedication and involvement. (intermediate care nursing home unit management)

I am head nurse of a 50-bed intermediate care nursing home unit. About one-fourth of my residents are confused, forgetful and have some cognitive dysfunction. Another one-fourth do not fit the description above; they participate in recreation, socialize with other residents, watch television, read, knit or have hobbies, and seem adjusted to their surroundings and content to be here. I want to discuss the remaining half of my residents, those who fit my description of general apathy.

Are these people depressed? It is well-known that depression is common in the elderly. These…