Final answer:
Quality of life in Long Term Care is essential for the well-being of individuals, impacting their comfort, autonomy, and satisfaction. Research supports that higher quality of life correlates with better health outcomes and lower costs. Society's evolving views on end-of-life care emphasize the need for quality-of-life considerations in care policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of quality of life is crucial within Long Term Care (LTC) because it impacts the physical, psychological, and social well-being of individuals receiving care. Quality of life encompasses various factors including comfort, autonomy, social connectivity, and overall satisfaction with life. In the context of Long Term Care, it hints at the person-centred approach necessary for enhancing the lives of individuals who often face chronic health issues and dependencies.
Research such as that conducted by Brumley et al. (2007) suggests that increased satisfaction with care, which is part of the quality of life, can result in lower costs and better health outcomes. Moreover, pre-planning activities like living wills, retirement planning, and medical power of attorney indicate a societal shift to acknowledging autonomy and preferences in the Long Term Care planning process, improving quality of life and care experiences.
Additionally, societal responsibility and ethical considerations, such as death with dignity laws and the preferences of individuals to die at home rather than in institutional settings, are becoming increasingly significant in discussions regarding end-of-life care, further indicating the importance of quality of life considerations in Long Term Care plans and policies.