HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970 09-22 PCP CITY OF D-ROOKLYT4 CEN7'Ep
pLAIINING COMMISSION AGENDA
Study Meeting
December 22, 1.970
Call to Order
29 Izoll call
of Iqinutes� November 12, 1970
November 24, 1970
December 3, 10,70
4. Chairinaft' s Explanation: The Planning Cori'mission is an advisory
body. one of the COVOissiOW8 functions
is to hold public Fearings. in the
matters concerned in these hearings,
the Columission makes recovaendations
to the city council. The CitV- COUncil
makes all final decisions on these
matters.
5� old Businesst
a, Midwest. Planning Report
jjc-.,w Dosiness:
Brooklyn Park Con►prehe)rtsive Plall
7 . Dj-scvtssit*,)n Items,
a. priorltv Schedu1c:L for futul7e Planning Comr, IsSi011 act ion.
b. r. ield. TK-y p �,o 50-".,h and Fr�.,,n.ce Industrial D:Lstrict.
c, pie fen, of Brooklyn Center Comprehensive Plan,
d; Other
TWORIKATION SHEET
1. 141MIEST PLAWK1NG REPORT
It is anticipated that the Comntission will continue its
review of this study.
Additional BacKqro4nd_-
Mr. Ernst, at the City Council meeting of December 7, 1970,
requested the Council t.o take a,-,%-.ion on Application No. 69005
which is related to this study.
Refer to page 4 of the loccember 7, 1970, City Council
minutes for furt.ber information in regard to Council action.
2, BROO.KLYS PARK COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The C-Lty of Brooklyn Park has requested that Brooklyn
Center review their Comprehensive Plan and make comment
or those areas that directly affect our City.
BrooR.!yn. Park anticipates that they will have a formal
hearing on the Plan in early February, therefore it is
recommended that the ConLmission forward its comments to
the E4.rooklyn Center City Counci';'_ as soon as possible.
The eaclosed copies of the Comprehensive Plan are on
loan from the Brooklyn Park Planning Department and it
would be appreciated if they are not marked or. altered.,
3v PRIOR17Y SCIETMOULE
The priority sched,ule submitted to the Planning Commission
in November is re-submitted for your, review requesting
that sequential priorities be plaCed upon the various
items. (Note Appendix 1)
4r FIELD TRTP
It is req�xested that the Comwissio?n set a date for a
field trip to the 50tb and France Tndustrial area.
5„ REVIF.;' OP BROOKLYN CENTER C014PREHEN PLAN
It is s,,aggested that review of the Brooklyn Center Compre-
hersive Plan should be taken up as soon as possible, even if
the Southwest Neighborhood question is not resolved. To date,
four of the six Neighborhood comi-Littees have submitted
recommendeO changes for review by the Commission. (See
.Appendix 11)
APPQ\U11-W I
it Ls anticipated that the Planning Coranission would
u,ant. to g1ve its attention to the following after the 1st
of the year.
a) Complete the updating of the Comprehensive Plan.
b) Review of Pv-3 disitricts as directed by the City
lounc-1 in its' minutes of May 254 1970 (Page 3) .
c) Review the ramifications of a "0" side yard set baclk
as djreCtL,ed by the (.-,.I- ty Council in its minutes of
September 14, 1970„
d) Initiate a study regarding transportation facilities
within the City.
e) Initiate a stuOy in regard to lcyw income housing
for -the elderly.
Q Review the - Sign Ordinance and specificailly detemaine
any need for modifications relative to t3he .freeway
development zone.
a-) tbe concept, of the Planning Ccmri.-tission detenil.ining
final. action in vari.ances and related matters with
the City 0ouncil acttitng as the Board of Appeals on
related matters,, tStudy suggested by Councilman A,.isell)
h) Stud-v (if Soutboast T.--,,'eiq'hborbood.
i) joint meeting with. the City Council in regard to
corwaterc la). uses within multiple developments.
It appears that the aforementioned items are the most.
pressing Insofar as future Planning Commission action is coi-
cerned and it is submitted to you for your review.
MEMO TO-. Planning Commission
FROM: Administrative Staff
DATE: september 21, 1970
SUBJECT-. I-qursinq Home Report #1
The responsibility for the care of an increasing number of
our senior citizens has shifted from the individual and the
family, to the community and to society in general. This shift
has been brought about by many factors, among which are small
homes, change in living palCterns from the rural to the urban
mode, and the migration of young people away from their family
homes to other areas in pursuit of education and employment,,
The basic elements that have com]-Aned to create the need
for nursing homes are social and biological factors, While
other important elements have contrib-ated to the dictating of
this need. our way of life has been transformed by six factors.
1) The change and place of work from home to factory;
• 2) The change and locale of residents from farm to city;
3) The change from the multi-generation to the two
generation family!
4) . The rise of the great industrial organization;
5) The grovftih of'. autoutation and of leisure time,-
631 The conse.rvation of human life.
All of these factors have been more or less unkind to the aged,
whose Toles, functions, and status in the society at large have
declined at the same time that their numbers have been increasing.
People's usefulness. their places in society, and the work
that they do now all disappear more or less abruptly as they
pass an arbitrary time barrier into the world of the aged.
Conservat-ion j.v1plies a deliberate effort to preserve the
full usefulness of these people. it does not signify merely an
effort to keep them alive. Conservation should be the concern
of those who are -responsible for nursing home programs. An older
person who enters a nursing home seeks comfort, convenience and
• companionship and security. Amenitlies oo longer can
maintain for himself in his own home. in addition, as time
passes, he finds himself in progressively greater need of
specialized nursing care for functions that he is unable to
perforra for himself. ideally, the more home life atmosphere
then can be found in hospitals should prevail in the nursing
home that provides professional nursing service for ill and
convalescent elderly patients.
As you are aware, the adminAstrative staff has been con-
ducting a comprehensive study in regard to nursing home care
and regulations,
To date the staff has visited a variety of homes providing
in most instances the three levels of Patit%Nnt care (board and
care, interraittant care, and skilled care) . However, it is
apparent to the staff that although- levels of care are similar,
there is a distinct difference in patient service, administrative
philosophy and individual patient dignity.
Although philosophy at a point in time may appear to be
rather nebulous, we think it is important to look at it in
• depth when comparing the operations of proprietary and non-
proprietary nursing facilities.
This staff member was particularly struck with the attitude
of the proprietary facility. it app,.-eared that once a foxtialitY
of discussing the basic types of pativnt care have gone bY the
boards, the parartiount, question appeared to be, "Can We Makt:, Money?" .
'rhis was usually brought about by our questions in regard to
two, three,. and four beds per unit. -in all instances, proprietary
nursing homes, with the exception being tk.-.ie New Hope Nursing Ha-pe,
a price was being placed upon a bed and conscq.aerxtl�,-, patien-;s.
This is significant in the opinica of the staff because there
are other factors beyond monetary to be considered suc.4 as
patient dignity, privacy, and a heAlthful social environment.
Obstensively, it appears that maximizing income May, in
some instances, minimize a patient dignity and social envinoment.
C., P. Thompson of the New Hope Mursinc,' Rome pointed oat the
crux of the issue when he stated 'Co us that "if he were looXing
at his financial stat"'.evient only, then his facility would contain
only three and four bed units. ". 'He tarther stated. that the
administrator must determine "if he coL,Id conscientiously place
• his own mother or father in his facility. "
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At this point it becomes clear that the attitude of the
administrator and his staff becomes a tangible entity, and
that those individuals must be much more humanitarian then
entrepreneur.
It is appropriate at this point to examine the depreciable
differences that are recognizable at the non-proprietary
facility when compared to the proprietary home.
It appeared on the surface that the non-proprietary home,
because of the very nature,, were more concerned with the social
and religious environment as well as the physical care of the
patient.
A case in point would be the St. Joseph Nursing 13ome
operated by the Little Sister's of the Poor in Northeast Minne-
apolis. This facility is rather old and by normal criteria
rather densely populated because some wards have up to eight
beds per unit. However, it is particularly interesting to note,
even -with these handicaps, the facility was excellently maintained
and above and beyond that, both patient and staff attitudes
• were excellent. There was a rapport among patients and staff
not commonly detectable in various other facilities visited.
It is the opinion of the staff that perhaps this unusual
circumstance is a result of a religious order (Little Sister's
of the Poor) that have a 100 year tradition that dedicates
them to the care of the poor and elderly. Consequently, it
appears that the attitudes of the administrator transcends to
the staff and ultimately to the patient.
It is the opinion of the staff, that we, as a municipality,
can regulate nursing homes effectively in regard to health
standards and so forth, however, it goes without saying that
it is a very difficult task indeed to regulate attitudes and
social environment within nursing facilities.
Consequently, it is the opinion of the staff that any
nursing home regulations above and beyond those already promul-
gated by the minnesota State Board of Ilealth should be, on the
face of things, at least a subtle attempt to enhance the social
environment of the patient.
The following are recommendations of guidelines that the
• staff feels should be an integral part of a nursing home
ordinance for the City of Brooklyn Center.
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A. IVTRODU2T_�Off
Realistic standards for an effective nursing home should
include full time professional nursing care; pil.y . ..
si1cal therapy;
case work service,- physiciatr-ic attention; consultation by
physicians; recreational tberapy; and a dynatuic uncorapromising
drive to restore the aged to the s4aue of jp4hysical aad mental
well being. This approach calls for a network of services;
and it must be complete and systematic and not piece meal and
'haphazard.
In recent years the architecture and designs of buildinum
intended fax the care of patients has been undergoing a revolution
especially in the psychiatric field. There is a _qS2wing recognition
that the environment dented by the institutional. setting has
a definite effect on the emotional state of the residents livin2i
therein and that it is no long--er. sufficient to desicn buildings
with the rime focus beincr the convenience of the staff and
the institttion. Such factors as the location of the institution,
size and s2 ace Rrinci les, harmmon material,, s and .gplorj
sam, licity of coLiplexity of arrasnt all
.,..121ay an is ortant
t. since familiarity of surroundings is extremely iraportan
in meeting the emotional needs of residents in nursing homese
the architecture of the facility must be one that is familiLar
and appropriate to the culture and geograp;hical area from
which the patient comes..
B. GENERAL PILANNING
1) Site
Although it may seeat that the location of a nursing horiee
in the country a-via,,, from the hustle and 'bustle of the city,
with beautiful Vista of the countryside may be most appro-
priate,, there are many factors to be considered here. Such
a site lends itself admirably to the individual seeking ten-
porary retreat or assylum from the pressures of life.
- owever most persons entering a nursing home vvill probably
spend rather long periods in the horae and the experience
is not one of temporary retreat. in addition, many of
the aged already feel that they have been or are being
excluded from the ivain stream of life around thea). and are
in need of 'ways to maintain contact with 1--he rnain stream
rather then being provided with the means -For a further
retreat. The aged, in addition, are often in need of many
Odistractions and outside stimuli in order to maintain
their interest in life and to prevent further deterioration.
Being situated in a pleasant location which is still adjacent
to much activity that lends itself to interested passive
observers will provide much needed stimulation from the
environment.
Often the nursing home resident is extremely apprehensive
concerning his physical condition and needs the reassurance
of knowing that medical facilities that may be needed in
emergencies, are nearby and within reach. Location of
nursing homes distant from such facilities may do much to
enhance the anxiety. Visiting by relatives and friends
place an extremely important part in sustaining interezt
on the part of the nursing home resident through maintaining
contact with the world outside of the home.
2) Color
Much information is accumulating in literature as to
the effects WE color on the emotional states of residents.
Just as with other external stimuli, color may be experienced
• physicaily and mentally. Color may be stimulating,
exhilarating,: uplifting, or depressing. Color imparts
feelings of warmth, sterility, distance and coolness.
Through proper harmony, color may induce feelings of relaxation,
and tranquility, or by its use in a discordant manner
may induce feelings of tension and uneasiness. monotony
in the use of color TrIcay Oro ve to be =.-t-rcalcly de
. ki:aSsIve.
Different parts of the nursing home maybe treated
with different color in order to achieve certain desired
effects. Studies indicate that older people avoid reds
and tend to prefer various soft colors snc],- as cj
The use of warm and cheerful colors in entrances and wards
and sittincr rooms can provide an atmosphere of stimulation
and interest.
3) RLghtiaa
The use of lighting can contribute 'fauch to the emotional
state of residents, especially the aged. Good lighting
will help facilitate an atmosphere of ease and relaxation.
Proper lighting can do much to overcome fear, anxiety,
and the restlessness growing out of the failure of adequate
• lighting to find ones way easily or the type of lighting
that cast bazarre shadows.
• 4) Ventilation and §SA2,e
In years past, in institutional settings there was
great concern for providing so many cubic feet of- space
per patient resident in a room. 01'Zten Vais leads to
extremely high ceilings, resu).ting in rooms of imposing
dimensions and overwhelming impact on the individual.
Such rooras are far removed from the nonvol living
experiences of most and contribute to feelings of
uneasiness, anxiety, and some fe;elinga of depersonalization.
Focussing rather on the adequate exca7iange of air enables
rooms to be designed for the provisions of the care to
MaIrly, residents within space lifaitations that are familiar
to vtost individuals and are not oveivhelming.
5) Living .2ua ers Per Residents •- Need for Feel of
Securitv
Any _qood treat),nent is a basic need. to es-'�-_ablish
.2rogran
a fet1jaZ of security in the residents. Feelings of
insecurity engender anxiety, wehicb may in turn lead to
• confusion, restlessness, insomnia and an inability to
benefit from the treatment program. Such anxiety can
be kept to a minimu-m for the patients physical and social,
environment and are comprised only of factors to which
the patient is able to adapt.
Privacyg Although the resident is living in an institutional
setting, it is important that he he provided with as many
elements of privacy as possible to establish. Caution
must be used, however, that the privacy does not lead to
isolation, for the feeling of isolation is one of the
most serious emotional problems in the aged. Facilities
should be so planned as to provide the residents ulitb z
socially accept-able degree of privacy in meeting his
private needs.
Especially -ijaportant is the provision of faciiitie-,
for visiting with some degree of pri,,Yacy. The inability
to visit with ones friends or relaitives with any degree
of privacy over, a prolonged period of time is a highly
frustrat-ina, depriving, and embittering experlence, enhancing
the f-Eeeling of isolation and separation f%o m the outer wor-ld.
Lack. of privacy is also embarrassing to visitors and it
• c an Influence i 1h
em em to curtail their visii-s. Basic to
sound programw-Lng to 1-neet the mental health needs of the
aged in institutions and nursing homes is a recognitior
that the cause ol* much of the bel,,avior s4:�er
L -e is due to
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• the reaction of the environment.
6) To o c r22hy
The site should be located above flood levels and be
level or have only a slight slope to aid in drainage. The
type of soil at the site should be given serious consideration,
particularly if a private sewage disposal system must be
constructed. The subterrainean characteristics of the
soil must, be considered if private sewage disposal and/or
water supply systems are to be used to provide safe and
satisfactory operation. The general topography should be
considered since very level areas must be provided for
aging residents who would walk around the grounds.
Grass, trees, and flowers are an asset to the site. Any
trees on the site should be protected during construction.
7) Trans 2or ation
Public transportation close to the site is an important
consideration particularly in cities and urban areas
• where the population depends on such means of -L-ran sportatIon.
This is not only for the convenience of the visitors who
would visit the Datients or residents at the home but also
for the residents who are able to leave the home and visit
churches, shopping centers and friends. in urban areas,
employees may also depend upon public transportation.
improved roads' and streets from the caimunity center to
the location are almost mandatory. They provide easy
access for the doctors* nurses, clergy, staff members, and
visitors to the home. They are also needed for dependable
delivery of the basic necessities such as food, laundry an6
similar materials.
The close proximity to churches, stores and theaters
is a valuable asset to those patients or residents xAfho
can leave the facility. Such location also promotes
visiting of the patients and residents by families, friends
and auxilliary groups which provide entertainment and
personal services -F-Or the patients.
8) Nuisances and Anao
aces
The home should not be located near sources of noxio-as
•
wgr
• and/or hazardous fumes or smoke. Locations to avoid
are industries creating fumes or smoke, incinerators,
dumping grounds and similar business enterprises.
The location should be such so as to avoid continuous
loud and impact noises such as railroads, airports, and
heavy industries. The adjusted m4x::.,°r�urm noise levels is
50 decibels.
Consideration should be given to the location of the
home away from tl±ose things in tho co. aunitY way
have an effect on the mental well. being of the patient
or resident. Locations adjacent to cemeteries and :;Funeral,
parlors are certainly not condusive to the mental well being
to the persons Living in a nursing home or home for the aged.
The nearness of hospitals may be desirable from the vimi--
poi t of medical, and nursing profession, but may be, in turn,
affect the men}t::al outlook of some patients.
C. PATIENT USE AREAS
These areas are considered to be those portions of the home
• which are primarily used by the patient and are provided for
their comfort and general day to day living activities.
1. Patient Rooms
The room should be large enough for the patient bed,
bedside table, and straight. chair. There should also
be space for a comfortable chair. in the rood for the
use of the patient or visitors. The roam should be
:urge enough for one or two visitors to visit each
patient at one times There needs to be ample space to
manuver wheel chairs and other self -help apparatus
throughout the room.
Space consideration also needs to be made for the
staff of the nursing home to wort. in the patients
room. There must be room fo;r the nursing and house--
keeping personnel to work in the room without
disturbing the patient. Beds should not be more
then two deep from the outside wall and so placed
that all bedridden patients 4n the room can see outside
through the windows.
i
• -9-
Present code requirements throughbot the United
States vary from 50 square feet per bed to 80 square
feet per bed in multiple bedrooms and from 80 square
feet to 120 square feet per bed in single rooms.
It can be seen that the lower area per bed is difficult
or almost impossible to provide necessary space for
patients and staff of the nursing home] therefore,
generally accepted essential sizes are from 80 to 100
square feet in multiple zooms and from 100 to 125
square feet~ per bed in single rooms
Hill.-Burton Standards allows 6 beds, not more than
3 deep front the outside wall in homes over 100 beds
however . not more than two beds per patient room is
a desirable situation.
Floor, wall and ceiling finished materials should be
selected for cteanability and fire safety. if a home-
like atmosphere is to be provided, plaster and wood
fini6hes are indicated„ The flame spreading rate of
• any wall or ceiling finish material should be invest .gated
or approved by the fire authority prior to its instal.l.ationu
Floors must, be smooth and cleanable. Patient rooms
should be decorated to avoid the institutional. look.
Pastel colors in flat or semigloss paint is recommended,
while wrall paper may be used in some instances. Rocris
should appear to be airy and bright.
Adequate artificial and natural illumination and
ventilation must be considered. Artificial illumina'ri.on
should be provided in the amount or 30 foot candies.
Windows are to be provided not only for light and
ventilation bu.t also for vision to 'Cae Qi tz.—Lde; therefore,
the window sill should not be more than 2 .feet 6 inches
above the floor to enable the bed and chaos-bound
patients to see out. -
A signal.. system should be provided at each patient's
bed so that the patient may contact the nursing
service for aid.
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2:- Toilet and bathrooms
The toilet rooms should be located adjacent to the
patient room for convenience and privacy. The location
adjacent to the patient's room furthers the bomeli.ke
atmosphere. it is necessary only to furnish the
toilet and lavatory in this locations the bathing
facility is beat located in the central bathroom.
Central locations for toilet rooms offer little
privacy. Code requirements for the number of toilets
and lavatory fixtures vary. F.H.A. minimum standards
require one toilet and lavatory facility for every
four beds.. The Public Health Service "Nursing Home
Standard Guide" and the Burton-Bill Standards recomtends
such faci?ities on the basis of one for every S beds
for each sex. Toiler rooms reed to be large enough to
accommodate wheel chairs.
Bathing facilities a :-e best -located in the central
areas since the attendants are normally present to
aid in bathing. it is recommended that freestanding
tubs be provided for ease in assisting patients. Special
showers with low walls and no curving should be provided
to facilitate handling of patients in wheel chairs.
Crab bars should be furnished for all bathing facilities.
Emergency call systems should be located in bath, and
toilet rooms so that patients or attendants may obtain
help when needed.
The floors, walls, and ceiling finishes in bath and
toilet rooms must be smooth and waterproof. Non-skid
floor surfaces are recommended. Mechanical exhaust
ventilation is recommended for all bath and toilet
rooms even though the room may have a window on the
outside wall.
3. Sitti rater' rooms and day rooms.
Location of rooms within a facility is a very important
consideration. The large central clay room near the
front entrance is not ideal., although one large room
is usually necessary for entertainment of patients,
church services, and similar functions. Many patients
will not use such rooms for day to day living purposes
Ssince they feet, they are put "on display" to visitors
and the general. public. Smaller day roams scattered
1
•
throughout the building provide more privacy and
promote visiting patients throughout the facility.
An ideal means of furnishing living space is to
combine small living areas with the patient rooms.
Living rooms should be furnished in a n:ome like
atmosphere with attractive, serviceable and comfortable
furniture provided for ,patients and their visitors.
°dotal space recommended for recreational areas,
occupational. activities, and patient dining varies
with particular crAes. The Public Health. Service
"Nursing 14-ome Standard ,aide" recommends 25 square
feet of day room space for 75% of the beds in the
home. Some state codes recommend 15 square feet of
floor space for each bed in the home. Hill-Burton
Standards require at least 50 square feet per bed
for 759 of the beds. P.R.A. mini-mum property standards
for nursing homes recommends a minimum total area of
20 square feet per bed, for dining and recreation.
4. Din inRooms
• ideally, dining rooms are reserved for eating purposes,
however, they are more often combined with day rooms.
They should be furnished and decorated in a tasteful
and home like manner. Location of the dining room, and
table arrangernent should be such that privacy is
afforded patients :from the general public and visitors
to the home. Small tables present the best arrangement,
persons can then be group::dly physical abilities at
meal. time.
Outdoor living areas
it is essential to afford the patiento of nursing homes
an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in good weather.
Therefore, it is necessary for such areas to open at
floor level and be provided with ramps so that wheel-
chair pattents and those having difficulty in walking
will be able to use this convenience.
Care should be taken in planning the outdoor living
areas since all patients do not lake to be exposed to
the public. Certain amounts of privacy are indicated.
• 17ursing bm. es with interior courts have ideal outside
living areas; ,patients have privacy and there is
• little or no possibility of the confused patient
wandering from the premises.
b w NLWING AND MEDICAL USE AWE
1. Nursing Stations
An adequate nursing station is necessary in all
nursing homes. These areas are the base of operation
For the nursing personnel. in this area are usually
located the patient charts, medicine preparation
and the counsel of the patient signal system.
An area with locked cabinets with the storage and
preparation of medicines must; be provided. In many
hranies, toilet and hand washing facilities are also
provided at the nursing station for nurses and staff
use.
2. UtilitX Rooms
Utility rooms should be planned in conjunction with
• the nursing station. The room should be separate from
the station but inclose proximity. ideally, two
utility rooms should be provi.dedi one soiled room
and one clean room.
The soiled utility room is used for disposal of
.liquid waste from the bedpans, utensils, collection
of solid waste, collection of soiled linens (prior
to the transporation to the laundry) and collection
of gather soiled materials which may originate in the
nursing unit. plumbing facilities should be available
to the room for receiving of Liquid haste and the clean.
up and sani.t-.ati.on of utensils used in the nursing unit.
Clean utility rooms are used for the storage of
materials after they have been cleaned and sanitized
In the soiled utility room and for storage of other
cleaned nursing and medical supplied.
3. Examining or Treatment Room
An e::cami.ni.ng or treatment rove is des1rab:f e. The room
• is used for examination and treatment of patients
b�� the medical. staffs Such treatment nay be given
in this room or the patient's room. Hill-Burton
Standards, provide for 'the provision of a treatment
room.,
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• ri'he room needs to be equipped with a small desk,
storage cabinets, examining table and high intensity
examining light.
4. Isolation or Special Care Rooms
These rooms are essentially single patient bedrooms
set aside and specifically equipped for the segregation
of patients in need of isolation., The Public }health
Service "Nursing Home Standards wide" recommends
that there should be at least one such room for every
25 patient beds. Dill-Burton Standards require a
minimum of two isolation rooms per nursing home.
They should meet the standards for patient rooms in
every respect.
The following are specific staff recommendations of standards,
in addition to the proposed aforementioned guidelines as ,§et
forth in this document.
1. Beds Per Unit
• Limiting the nun ber to a maxjx um of tv.,7o per unit
with a minimum of 200 square feet per unit, would, in the
opinion of the staff, provide adequate living facilities
for the elderly while at the same time provide for privacy
of patients who for the most part are thrust from a home
environment to a communual living situation.
2. Internal Open Space
Requiring 10% of the gross floor area of the dwelling
units of a floor to be devoted to sitting rooms, recreation
rooms, party rooms or related activities, not including
dining areas.
The State Statutes do provide for such facilities
but i.t is worded in such a manner to leave the size of
such facilities to the descreti.on of the owner. It is the
opinion of the staff that the City regulation, should
guarantee a minimum area to be devoted for this pu:rpose.n
3. External 0 en Space
An area or areas determined by the City Council. exclusive
•
of parking and driveway areas should be provided for or o en
space that would be accessabl.e to the patients,,
0
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• 4< Location
Nursing homes should be located on collector or arterial
type thoroughfare facilities due to the fact that it has
been indicated that nursing home patients find it particularly
appropriate to be located in high activity areas.,
5. ln�.sRecttion
It is recommended that the ordinance authorize the City
Manager or his representative to make periodic, unannounced
inspections of the nursing home facilities to insure that
normal health and sanitation practices are being adhered too
The State does provide for inspection, houlever, it has been
related to us that theyi 1) have been unable in some
instances to cover all facilities; and 2) have consistenttily
given warnings to violators rather then taking severe
remedial. action.
6. personnel Character Chwk
it is recommended that all staff personnel of nursing
• hoarse facilities be required to .:fear a character check upon
application for employment at a nursing :home in the City of
Brooklyn Center., it has been indicated to the staff try an
expert in the field that some of the greatest instances
of drug abuse and related physical and social problems have
taken place in facilities such as hospitals and nursing
homes where such elicit drug ite,-ns are readily available.
7. Ventilation
Nursing 'homes should be well ventilated through the use
of windows, forced air, or combination of both. Ventilation
is to remove dust, offensive Odors, and excessive heat and
moisture.
The ventilating space for natural ventilation should not
be less than four per cent of the floor area„ when forced
air ventilation is used„ the system should change air at
least once every aix minutes
•
A
In conclusion, it should be pointed out that this memorandum
in no way is attempting to degrade or insinuate the particular
facilities visited have abused or mistreated patients in any
way, but our staff observations indicate that there are conditions
above and beyond routine care that should be recognized.
It is important to note that the application of the
aforementioned guidelines and standards, in the opinion of the
staff, are an important basis for maintAining health and welfare
of the patient while at the same time recognizing the social and
environmental needs of the nursing home patients