2 – VISITS 2.1 – POSITIVE EXAMPLES Daily life The National Agency highlighted several positive examples during its visits. These included: In some of the facilities visited, residents had their own personal letterbox, which they could access independently. This afforded the residents greater independence in daily life. Architectural aspects Several facilities allowed the residents to participate voluntarily in day-to-day activities such as setting the table, folding laundry or tending the garden. This enabled them to have a more active role in daily life in the facility. Some facilities were designed in such a way that there were routes through the building that formed complete circles with no corridor ends. This enabled persons with dementia, for example, who may have a strong need for movement and exercise, to leave their living area and then independently find their way back again. Staff In a number of facilities, a carer had been appointed as an officer for measures involving deprivation of liberty. Their task was to assess any proposed measures within the facility that would involve deprivation of liberty as to whether they were necessary in each individual case, and whether all possible alternatives had been exhausted. In some cases, these officers had been specifically trained to develop alternative options to measures involving deprivation of liberty to suit particular situations, and thereby reduce the use of such 41 measures. Activities and social participation As the majority of residents in the facilities are women, the activities on offer were often more targeted towards female residents. However, one facility also offered activities that were mainly suited to men’s interests, such as operating electric model trains. One facility offered a walk outside its premises each day. This was arranged at the same time every day and could be attended by any residents who were interested, and without the need to register for the activity in advance. Offering activities like this gives residents the opportunity to engage in outdoor exercise on a daily basis. It can also alleviate the feeling residents might have of being cut off in the facility from the outside world. A number of facilities employed care staff with an additional qualification in palliative care. This can help increase awareness around care situations where palliative measures should be used so that the persons concerned receive the right attention for their particular needs. In a number of facilities, ethical case reviews were held to discuss particular difficulties in caring for residents and to develop strategies for use in future. Certain facilities also offered further training on the topics of dealing with mental illness and stress management. Measures In order to organise additional care options on a regular basis for the residents, one facility maintained a close cooperation with the voluntary organisation “Grüne Damen” [Green Ladies]. For over ten years, one facility has taken a group of residents each year on holiday for a week to the Baltic coast accompanied by the facility’s own staff. This gives residents with care needs a break from day-to-day life in the facility. 41 Training on “Guardian ad litem – the “Werdenfelser” approach” [Verfahrenspfleger nach Werdenfelser Weg]. The socalled “Werdenfelser Weg” is a procedural approach under the applicable law on adult guardianship that aims to improve decision-making processes concerning measures involving deprivation of liberty. In this way, the ultimate goal is to reduce the frequency and severity of measures involving deprivation of liberty 37