Posted By John Korzendorfer, Senior Director of Campus Operations The ongoing dialogue on the Changing Aging blog about ‘IT’ fascinates me. ‘IT’ is comprised of numerous factors, and today I would like to talk about one of them as they relate to America’s nursing homes.

SIGNS!

In my work I have the opportunity to visit numerous nursing homes, and so many of them have this in common:

SIGNS!

I’m not talking about directional signs…Remember the chorus from the mid-70’s song ‘Signs?’‘Sign, sign, everywhere a signBlocking out the scenery, breaking my mind.Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?’You know what I am talking about…

No SmokingSmoke Free FacilityTurn Off The LightWipe Your FeetWash Your HandsFlush The ToiletClose the DoorOther DoorKeep Door ClosedKnock Before EnteringGuns Are Banned From This FacilityNo ParkingDo Not Park Wheelchairs HereSign In At The Front DeskVisitor RegistrationDelivery’s In The RearEtc. €“ Etc. €“ Etc.The long-term care profession has been very good at relying on ‘rules’ when instead we should be taking personal responsibility to treat people as people.As the country embraces ‘person centered care,’ let us not forget first to treat others the way we would want to be treated, embrace ‘common sense’ and realize that our desire to have everyone follow the rules can simply suffocate and suck the spirit out of people.Ask yourself this question: Do I have these ‘signs’ in my home, where I live?And, if we do put up a sign, how about using other ones, such as:Welcome!Our Mission is to Create Home. How Can We Help?We Want Your Ideas.Thank You for Choosing Us.We’re Proud to Serve You.We’re Thankful for You.How Can We Do Better?If you have ‘IT,’ you will look ‘IT.’