Caring Care Homes: What to look for
Looking after our wellbeing is important at all stages of our lives & it doesn't stop when one goes into a care home/sheltered accommodation. In fact it becomes even more important to look after one's wellbeing so that depression & social isolation are kept at bay.
If you are looking for a Care Home or Sheltered Accommodation for yourself or most likely for an elderly loved family member or friend, then there can be bewildering advice out there as to what to look for in order to get the best place.
I
have had experience of working in numerous care homes throughout Norfolk, England, during my long teaching career. I have taught the carers & management teams. Through the 'EXTEND' organisation I also did mobility classes with residents. Towards the end of my commitments with these projects I became quite able to see by just stepping
inside the building as to whether it was well managed & a “happy”
home.
Well, what does one look for when searching out a care home? It may be worth remembering that this search may be carried out during an emotional/upsetting time for all concerned. The signs of a well cared-for establishments usually indicates
that they are paying attention to details & so will pay attention
to their residents. Well, with such a bewildering care home
facilities & specialism what does one look for? You can, of course, check out the care homes' status/reports on the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) website.
Well cared-for establishments which pay attention to details are most likely to be those which pay attention to their residents, so it is also worth keeping an eye open for the following:-
*If there is a strong smell of urine (or worse!) then avoid. It shows that the staff are under pressure & not able to deal with this very necessary care with any degree of satisfaction.
*Are the
residents actively encouraged to take part in activities offered - whether it be crafts to maintain dexterity, social events to
maintain contacts or talks to challenge the grey matter?
*Is there a
weekly diary of planned activities or outings? Are these actively
carried out or are they there just to impress the inspection team?
*Do the care homes invite the community into the homes? For example, one of my regular massage clients lives in a home run by a housing association & they have a close link with a nearby local school. Here the children visit the home regularly & do story books/crafts with the residents. My client has proudly shown me these & says she very much enjoys these sessions. The children also sing for the residents. More importantly, each resident (who wants this) is 'assigned' to an individual named child. Does the care home have an annual fête or coffee mornings to raise money for extras such as outings for the residents? Is there a committee to organise these 'extras'? Are the residents involved in having a say in how the money raised should be spent on?
*Are
the residents encouraged to sit outside? Is there appropriate &
comfortable seating with some shade provided? Most people feel good
when the sun is shining & Vitamin D, acquired by exposure to the
sun, is crucial for our wellbeing. Are the seasons brought indoors
in some way? Are there, for example, cut flowers in vases or living plants. These don't have to cost much and can be provided using planters, window boxes or grow bags. Even cardboard egg
boxes can be used. Simple things such as a very small pot of herbs
on the dining table can enhance the senses & also be a
conversation point. Vases filled with autumn colours don't cost anything except the time/thought.
*Are there large pictures reflecting the seasons & the outside world or there just poor copies of masterpieces such as Constable's 'Haywain'?
*Do the staff interact with the residents in a meaningful way or are they just acting robotically & fulfilling their job description? How do the staff address the clients? Are they using their first names with the resident's permission or are they using inappropriate patronising names? Do you get the feeling that the carers are seeing the residents as just another 'service user' (horrible term!) & just carrying out tasks according to the residents' perceived/assessed "support need".
*Are
visitors encouraged to stay for drinks/meals? Are there any visitors' facilities such as a corner to make drinks? Are there options at
meal times with special diets (such as low-fat) catered for without a
fuss? Do the staff remember who has a special diet? Is there some
way of identifying those needing special diets? Do residents get to
pre-select their meals or is everyone served the same thing? Are
residents given help with feeding? Are there enough staff to provide
help with feeding? Does the home take part in a 'feeding
companionship' programme where the trained volunteers help to feed
anyone needing help?
*Does the home arrange outings? It could be just to the supermarket or free museums visits or just somewhere nice to enjoy the countryside – none of these cost much! A visit could become the highlight of many of the residents' week/month.
*Does the care home have a 'memory box/table' that display items from the past to promote memory & conversations. These can be easily acquired very cheaply from charity shops & could include old magazines, kitchen memorabilia, old pictures. These should be regularly changed to encourage & stimulate conversations & interest. Many library services also have memory boxes on loan.Does the mobile library service visit? Are there any interesting books/magazines for the residents to read? Are these in good condition or are they dated & tatty?
*Are the bedrooms & other rooms in good decorative order? Are personal items such as family photos, 'treasures' or small pieces of personal furniture allowed? All these things will help the residents to maintain a contact with their past.
*Is the home in contact with charities for befriending services? How is social isolation avoided?
*How are complaints handled by the manager? Is there a formal procedure? Is there a suggestion box/comment book?
Whatever you choose make sure that you regularly check suitability as your friend's, family member's or your care needs will change over time.
Good luck in your search.
Many thanks to Eddie, from my IT class, for proof-reading this & also adding some valuable comments.
