POLICY STATEMENT.

The Division of Veterans Healthcare Services (DVHS) requires that each of the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes (VMH) provide, and that each veterans home resident receives, all care and services necessary to enable the resident to achieve and maintain the highest practical level of physical (including pain management), emotional, and social well being, in accordance with individual assessments and care plans.

PURPOSE.

This policy and procedure will serve to ensure that veteran home residents, their respective healthcare representative(s), and/or family members are given the opportunity to participate in the development and implementation of the resident’s individualized care plan. Additionally, this policy and procedure shall serve to ensure that all veteran home residents be provided with individualized care based on an assessment of their cognitive and functional abilities.

PROCEDURE.

A. New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes

1. The New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes will develop and implement procedures governing the practice of completing timely resident comprehensive assessments and the coordination of individualized care plans, developing and/or implementing programs and services in pursuit of the optimal level of independence and quality of life for each resident.

2. All resident care policies shall be written and developed by a resident care committee, and shall be available to physicians, advanced practice nurses, staff, residents, their relatives or guardians as appropriate, and to the public, and shall be implemented in accordance with acceptable standards of practice.

3. Health care providers must evaluate each individual with concerns for dignity, personal choices, rehabilitative care, and restraint reduction in an attempt to assure the continuance of optimal functioning. All residents will be provided programs and services to enhance their quality of life.

Revised: April 2007