People at the heart of care

I wonder how many of us think about life in a care home and declare “I hope I fall off my perch first”.  Getting old is something we generally prefer not to think about.  But…it does beat the alternative!  And there are actually plenty of positives to care home life.
The concept has been made less attractive by shocking revelations in the media about shameful treatment in appallingly run homes, but, as with anything, those cases are the exception to the rule and are very far from the norm.

At the opposite end of the scale are establishments which are outstanding.  Where the term ‘care home’ really is eponymous.  Where choosing to stay is not a last resort. Where caring encompasses the emotional wellbeing of a person, not just their physical maintenance.

They may be few and far between, but care homes which put people at the heart of care really do present the most attractive and sensible option for the twilight years.  They invest heavily in their staff and are very focussed on their individual residents.

Many elderly and increasingly frail people desperately cling to the familiarity of their own homes which they mistakenly associate with their own independence.  In doing so, they often force themselves in to a hermit-like existence.  Often bereaved, usually slightly infirm, it can become increasingly difficult for them to get out and about easily alone, so they do so less and less and inevitably fall into a downward spiral of isolation.  With little enthusiasm to cook for one, coupled with concern about heating bills, there is soon a growing physical risk in continuing to live alone.

It is usually the extreme scenario of a fall or injury in the home that forces the issue, often necessitating a spell in hospital, before the root problem is seriously addressed and a care home move considered.  Even then there is still often fierce resistance to the idea of giving up the perception of freedom.

But life in a good care home is not a prison.  While willing and able, residents at Peregrine House in Whitby, for example, are free to walk to the nearby seafront and shops whenever they please.  Better still, they don’t have to go alone; if they want company there will always be someone else happy to join them, or a member of staff to accompany them if they are infirm.

Regular minibus outings are organised for residents who wish to travel further afield on a trip out to various local attractions.  More importantly, every day in the home is made varied and interesting.  With plenty of choice available, activities are tailored for each individual, taking into account their interests, skills, experiences and personalities, as well as their physical and mental condition.  Residents can continue with their own hobbies, share their interests with new friends and try their hand at new activities, as well as enjoy entertainment with a weekly visiting entertainers program.  Treatments from visiting hairdressers, beauticians and therapists are a regular part of the mix.

The choice is designed to keep everyone alert, mobile and engaged. And while the privacy of their own room is available, it is clear that many residents thoroughly enjoy and choose each other’s company.  It’s a world away from the alternative of their own lonely home, or staying in the spare room of a grown up child with no real time or resources for improving the quality of life for an ageing relative.  Not all the residents even appear particularly old; many have simply made the transition for a more rewarding life while they can still enjoy it to the full.

A good care home will be spacious with purpose built facilities.  Private rooms will be large enough to accommodate the residents’ own favourite items of furniture, books, pictures, ornaments and for entertaining visitors – at any time.  Public rooms and gardens will allow for plenty of different options and a cheerful dining room to make meal times sociable.

Regular hot meals prepared by experienced chefs offering plenty of menu choices will soon improve the energy levels of an elderly person who may have been making do with bread and jam three times a day.

Fundamentally, a resident in a good care home is assured of the same basic human rights they had before they arrive: privacy, dignity, independence, choice, rights and fulfilment. Add to that a generous dose of friendship and love and you have an environment that is a far cry from the one that usually springs to mind when you think ‘care home’.

Winner of Care Home Registered Manager of the Year, Alison Bedford explains that the secret of good care for the elderly lies in listening to their needs and making them happy. All the principles of managing the home should rest on that premise.   “We aim to care for our residents in the same way that we would look after the most loved member of our own family”, she says.

Selecting the right care home is critical for finding the difference between finding a new life for living or a depressing dormitory.  Age UK provides a useful checklist at www.ageuk.org.uk.  Take a tour of several homes and it will quickly become apparent which of them foster a loving atmosphere with friendly carers who are qualified, professional and regularly trained; the foundation for a happy home for life.

Peregrine House is a Dignity in Care Champion, it holds an Investors in People Gold Award and Excellent and Three Star ratings from the Care Quality Commission – http://www.peregrinehouse.co.uk/