Care trends
be especially challenging when residents with conditions such as dementia might not be able to communicate how they are feeling. For example, some care homes use questionnaires to assess quality of life but this is not suitable for all residents. Instead, the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit (ASCOT) is recommended as a better way to ask people about their quality of life, as care homes can gather evidence from different sources which includes observations. Based on this issue, NIHR carried out research and found that the culture of a care home is set by its leaders, stating that ‘good quality leadership focuses on quality improvement, enabling and encouraging staff to be responsive to residents and treating them with compassion’. The research also found that quality of life could be linked to care homes rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ as residents have more control over their daily life, engagement in meaningful activities, social participation, and are treated with dignity.
Developing a sense of belonging Age UK, City University, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and Dementia UK released a collaborative report in 2012 which found that when an elderly person makes the transition from their home to a care home, it often involves negative connotations, but in fact it should be considered as an opportunity to enhance life and a way of opening new doors following a loss of independence or declining health. While the 2012 My Home Life report is now over a decade old, the key findings can be applied to the modern care home. It highlighted the fact that retaining a sense of identity is important for quality of life; this might seem like a small matter to the management of an organisation, but it is crucial for residents. According to the report, ‘Everyone has different standards and tastes but knowing an individual and their ways is helpful’. And this is where people-centred care is essential. Similar to the findings by NIHR, My Home Life recognised that the culture of a home directly impacts the quality of life for residents, and effective leadership and management is paramount to this. For this to happen, training and development needs to be provided to the whole workforce rather than just individuals being sent on a specialist courses, care homes and education institutions need to work together to show that care homes can be a learning environment for staff and
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students, and there needs to be a move from a task-based care system to one that allows the development of emotional care.
What does a strong culture look like in practice? 1. It is the small things that matter There are some inspiring examples of how care homes are currently supporting quality of life for their residents , and thus helping to support a positive culture. One home surprised a resident who used to be a telephonist with a switchboard replica for her to reminisce and tell stories about her younger years. In another home, a 100-year- old woman said that the key to long life is staying independent and she keeps herself active by listening to music and singing. Some homes even allow animals in to give residents a sensory experience and to bring back happy memories. One of my favourite examples is how staff at a nursing home invented games to keep residents engaged. This included air hockey, juggling, mini golf, and basketball along with many other activities all adapted to the comforts and mobility of the people living there. Activities that help to provide an enhanced quality of life for residents can include everything from the activities that are offered every day, such as group exercise, arts and crafts,
and mental agility exercises, to the way that residents maintain their independence through simple tasks. The latter can involve everyday tasks such as such as cooking for themselves, making drinks, and doing their own laundry. While household chores might not be suitable for every resident, with the proper precautions, these types of activities can provide an individual with routine, purpose, and perspective.
2. Staff training and development Currently, care workers do not need any qualifications or previous work experience to get into the profession, as most care providers are looking for individuals that have a passion for working with people who require additional care and support. While it is essential that these values are present in any care professional to help deliver a better quality of life for residents, both the NIHR and My Home Life reports emphasise that staff need to be attentive to the bespoke needs of the individuals they care for. For example, there are training programmes available to help care professionals build their skills and knowledge when looking after people with dementia. The MARQUE scheme (Managing Agitation and Raising Quality of Life) provides a variety of techniques designed to help staff get to
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com February 2024
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