Decision time.
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Book review:
“Decision time. A guide to choosing an aged care facility in New Zealand” Jenny Moloney, Heather Johnston Publisher: Writes Hill Press Ltd. Wellington Price $NZ 28.00 This little treasure is just what is needed for people who are looking for a suitable rest home in New Zealand. New Zealand is one of the few countries where an increasing number of rest home providers are driven mainly by profit. This motivation can conflict with quality of care (Woods 2017). This book “Decision Time” provides insight into what is involved in making a well-informed choice of rest home for oneself or a loved one. It ranges from the very practical (your first impression when you walk in the door) to the very detailed (asking management to explain the audit report). The book is particularly useful as it describes clearly what optimal care should look like and which questions you can ask rest home managers when making a decision. It is not only useful for relatives who are looking for a suitable rest home but also for those that already have a family member in a rest home. Many of the complaints that reach the media are about the suboptimal care that is provided to residents. Understanding of the required level of care in a home will equip the reader to assess if a particular home is up to standard. Overall a “must read” book for anyone who has, or is in the process of having a family member within a rest home setting and also very valuable for staff who work at the facility. It will help both sides to understand what is important for those seeking residential care and give insight into how their expectations can be met. This is the first book we found that reveals the highly complex process of choosing a rest home. It is an excellent book which underlines the need for independent advice. Reference: Woods, Phibbs, & Severinsen, 2017)Woods, M., Phibbs, S., & Severinsen, C. (2017). ‘When morals and markets collide’: Challenges to an Ethic of Care in Aged Residential Care. Ethics and Social Welfare, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/17496535.2017.1287210 |