Ethical perspectives of sustaining residents' autonomy: a cultural transformation best practice.

Baby boomers are demanding changes in care delivery models that reflect patient autonomy, individuality, and dignity. To meet this challenge, the Veterans Administration has adopted a cultural transformation model of patient-centered care. Veterans Administration nursing homes are now community living centers; the staff's mission is to deliver patient-centered care in a homelike environment. How the challenge was met and how the ethics committee helps to sustain the changes, are discussed in this article.