--- In Positivelights@yahoogroups.com, Vern Jacobs <jacobs1@k...>
wrote:
> There does seem to be a perceived difference between care in smaller
communities and large cities. Partly, it seems that in small towns
there is larger participation of local residents who have family
members at a facility, (and also perhaps that community/church/civic
participation is more a given?). Another factor is that even if the
residents of a small town facility aren't blood relatives, volunteers
and employees have known the residents all their lives and may
regularly see or know the resident's family anyway.

Does this result in better care? I don't know of any studies that
confirm that, but my personal experience is that there are a lot of
eyes on what goes on in a small town facility. Bottom line is that
becoming involved and known while still independent may prove
beneficial when more care is needed and the resident is seen as part
of a small, committed community.

Gregg