Care homes serve as a safe place for vulnerable people who require support and assistance in their daily lives. Life in a care home can be a unique and multifaceted experience for the many individuals who live there. With a focus on dignity, person-centred care, safety and companionship, Select Healthcare homes provide a home-like, nurturing environment that encourages independence and a sense of belonging.
What is Life In a Care Home Like?
If you’ve never visited a care home before, there may be some aspects of care home life that are a mystery to you or your opinion may be based on the many misconceptions people have about living in a care home. Whether you’re looking for a dementia care home or a learning disability care home, it is normal to be curious about the type of lifestyle your loved one will have in a care setting. In this blog post, we’re answering some of the common questions you may ask about life in a care home.
How Safe Are Care Homes?
At Select Healthcare we prioritise the safety and well-being of all our residents by offering safe and secure living environments. The physical layouts of our care homes are designed to accommodate specific needs like providing access for wheelchairs and hoists with many of our homes being purpose-built specialised buildings. Our care homes are also located in safe residential areas in communities across the UK. In our care homes, health and safety regulations are consistently upheld as well as all CQC (Care Quality Commission) safety requirements to ensure the homes meet the highest safety standards. With specially trained nurses, support workers and care assistants providing 24-hour care and support, you can have peace of mind knowing that your loved one has access to immediate assistance in a safe and comfortable environment.
What do Carers do in a Care Home?
For those looking for a care home for a friend or family member, it is essential to know what kinds of support will care staff provide to your loved one. From preparing meals to administering medication, the duties of care assistants and support workers can be varied. However, the roles usually involve supporting individuals throughout their day with things like personal care, accessing the community and participating in activities. Select Healthcare homes are renowned for their welcoming and homely atmospheres fostered by the care staff. With a focus on dignity and respect, care assistants and support workers invest time in getting to know the personalities, life stories and unique needs of each individual within the home. This helps to form trust-based relationships and creates a safe space for residents to comfortably express themselves or their concerns. Life in a care home can take some getting used to and care staff are always on hand to actively listen and provide emotional support to help combat feelings of loneliness and improve mental well-being.
One of the defining aspects of care home life is the personalised care and support that residents receive. Carers who work in Select Healthcare homes create person-centred care plans for all residents. These comprehensive care plans help to promote independence and are developed in collaboration with the residents, their families and the team of healthcare professionals.
What Activities Can You do in a Care Home?
At Select Healthcare, we recognise the importance of engaging residents in meaningful activities that stimulate their mental, physical and emotional well-being. In our care homes, our activity coordinators ensure that care home life is never dull and residents have a fulfilling range of activities to promote social interaction and creativity. The roster of activities can feature things like exercise programmes, arts and crafts sessions, gardening, music therapy, reminiscence therapy, and outings to local attractions and holidays. The person-centred care plans help care staff plan a varied activity calendar that caters to the interests and preferences of the residents. Residents in our care homes also have the opportunity to participate in cultural events and celebrations that help to enrich their lives with new experiences.
What Are Care Home Meals Like?
Select Healthcare nursing homes and residential care homes prioritise nutrition and provide well-balanced meals that cater to specific dietary needs and preferences. When it comes to care home food, nutritional requirements, allergies, dietary restrictions, personal tastes and cultural backgrounds are considered when meals are prepared. Familiar home-cooked meals can help loved ones to adjust to care home life by having some of their comfort foods on hand.
In care homes, mealtimes aren’t just about nourishing food. Care home meals are often served in communal settings providing an opportunity for social interaction and a time to share stories and the companionship of others.
How to Find a Care Home
Care home life offers many vulnerable individuals a safe, supportive and engaging environment where their needs are met with compassion by fully trained staff. At Select Healthcare, we believe that the sense of community within our care homes creates a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where residents can make new friends, embrace life and receive the highest standard of care.
If you’re looking for a care home, Select Healthcare have many care facilities across the UK catering to a range of needs including palliative care, mental health care, dementia care, EMI care and brain injury rehabilitation. You can browse our list of care homes to find a suitable one in your area.
If you’d like to know more about our care homes or you’d like to discuss the types of specialised services available, contact our friendly team who are waiting to help.
