The Seven Domains of Wellbeing in CMS Regulations – Do you know which Tag?

The Eden Alternative developed what are called the seven Domains of Well-being®.

If you want to learn them, Eden has a white paper at www.edenalt.org.

Another highly recommended way to learn about them is Dr. Allen Power’s book Dementia beyond Disease: Enhancing Wellbeing. Each chapter is dedicated to each of the seven domains.

First off, did you know CMS included the Eden Domains of Well-being in the new, 2016, regulations?

Secondly, did you know where…? At the Activities tag!

F679 Activities.

INTENT §483.24(c)

To ensure that facilities implement an ongoing resident centered activities program that incorporates the resident’s interests, hobbies and cultural preferences which is integral to maintaining and/or improving a resident’s physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being and independence. To create opportunities for each resident to have a meaningful life by supporting his/her domains of well-being – security, autonomy, growth, connectedness, identity, joy and meaning.
(emphasis added)

In this article, I will simply share Eden’s definitions of each.

Security

Freedom from doubt; anxiety, or fear; safe; certain; assured; having privacy; dignity, and respect.

Autonomy

Liberty; self-governance; self-determination; immunity from the arbitrary exercise of authority; choice; freedom

Growth

Development; enrichment; unfolding; expanding

Identity

Being well-known; having personhood; individuality; wholeness; having a history

Meaning

Significance; heart; hope; import; value; purpose; reflection; sacred

Joy

Happiness; pleasure; delight; contentment; enjoyment

Connectedness

State of being connected; alive; belonging; engaged; involved; not detached; connected to the past, present, future; connected to personal possessions; connected to place; connected to nature.

The last article dove into connectedness. I challenge you to think of yourself as a Connectedness Coordinator. What if that was your job? Really. How would it look differently. What a great challenge for us to consider!

Next article will go more into detail of each domain.

In the meanwhile, consider starting to talk to individuals/residents about what each of these domains means to them. You can certainly talk at Resident Council or any neighborhood or community meetings but to get on the individual level, consider talking to each person and possibly their family about what each of these means to them personally. And, since there are seven, maybe bring up one at a time for an entire quarter, then you’ve got everyone included. Then move on to the next one. Just imagine how well it will be received to dig into the details of wellbeing!

Carmen Bowman, MHS, Regulator turned Educator of Edu-Catering: Catering Education for Compliance and Culture Change, seeks to inspire everyone to chip away at institutional culture by laying a strong foundation of knowing regulatory requirements – blending innovation with regulation.  Activity consulting, personalized continuing education and live instruction also available. “Cutting edge-ucation” nominal pay-per-view training videos at www.patreon.com/educatering, carmen@edu-catering.com 303-981-7228  www.edu-catering.com The Culture Change Minute for free www.facebook.com/Edu-catering