Functional Contentment Model: Optimizing Quality of Life for Nursing Home Residents with Dementia

The Functional Contentment Model (FCM) attains two objectives: 1) building a relationship focused plan of care for nursing home residents diagnosed with dementia; and 2) maximizing and maintaining older adults’ contentment, peace, and happiness while living in dementia care environments. There are three essential components within the FCM: 1) Person/Family Centered Care; 2) Slow Medicine; and 3) Team Care Management. The principles of “Person/Family-Centered Care” are coupled with the philosophy of “Slow Medicine,” and neither can exist without the engagement of “Team Care Management.” In short, the FCM maximizes the older adult’s potential functioning in activities of daily living, cognition, gross and fine motor skills, communication, and physical well-being, while maintaining the highest possible level of contentment, peace, and happiness. This is accomplished through dynamically utilized professional modalities adapted to the changing needs of the older adult resident—pharmacologic, physical and occupational therapies, family education and involvement, dietary, spiritual, stimulating activities, as well as any individualized modality. The lead for operationalizing the Functional Contentment Model is the nursing home medical director, whose key role is assuring a team approach to care including the older adult resident, the family, and all staff (dietary, housekeeping maintenance as well as care and administrative staff). The FCM is a culture change model that has implications in practice and policy for each nursing home.