Survey: Facility satisfaction rises among LTC consumers
New research finds that 82% of long-term care consumers say they are satisfied with their facility. It marks a 2% rise compared to a year earlier among residents and family members describing their levels of satisfaction as “excellent” or “good,” according to study authors. 
Residents and their families noted “modest” improvements in resident quality of life and qualify of care, said Neil Gulsvig, president and CEO of survey firm My InnerView. However, declines were registered in satisfaction of quality of services–such as meals, laundry, cleanliness and management responsiveness, he added.
In the “quality of life” category, 81% of residents and family members rated their facility as either “excellent” or “good.” Quality-of-dining experience (68%) and security of personal belongings (65%) received the lowest excellent/good ratings.
Under “quality of care,” 78% rated their facility excellent or good. Nursing care (88%) and resident/family updates (82%) were at the high end, while grooming (69%) and staffing adequacy (50%) were at the low end. 
Under “service” categories, cleanliness of premises (78%) and management responsiveness (75%) fared the best, while quality of laundry services (69%) and quality of meals (68%) were at the bottom.
More than 146,000 nursing home residents and their family members, and 162,000 nursing home employees responded to the 2007 National Survey of Consumer and Workforce Satisfaction in Nursing Homes.
The full report can be seen at www.myinnerview.com.