Sue Goldsmith, director of care quality and dementia, The Care Home Coach, looks at methods used to ‘enable’ care home residents, from information giving to promoting independence, and explores ways of developing a ‘living environment’
The care home environment has become a true focus for many providers over recent years as the culture of care changes and there is a realisation that elderly people have a right to live in a pleasant environment that enhances their wellbeing.
Furthermore, the environment has been recognised as a key factor in enablement and the promotion of independence, especially in dementia care settings where more consideration has been given to reducing frustration and bewilderment. But how holistic are current measures and do they really benefit residents, or are they simply enabling providers to tick a box?
Finding a method of communication that suits everyone living in a care home is difficult and a number of methods are therefore used - from written information to pictorial signs - but do they really work? For example, complaints management is an area of particular importance and is used by regulators to try to ensure that feedback is listened to and then addressed within the expectations of the complainant.
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