Sue Goldsmith, director of care quality and dementia, The Care Home Coach, considers how those moving into residential care might feel and how, with a little more consideration and understanding from staff, that experience may be enhanced
The care home environment has become the final home for an increasing number of elderly people over the past four decades. As the make up of the British family changes, reliance on the extended family has become less and less common, increasing the likelihood that elderly relatives will be cared for within a shared home environment.
Moving into a care home is an experience that hundreds, possibly thousands, of elderly people face every week and therefore staff may see the coming and going of residents as a regular occurrence. But how might it feel for the person having to move home? Is enough consideration given to the life-changing move and are processes in place to support an elderly person and their family when making it?
As the culture of care shifts towards a more collaborative approach to offering support, understanding and validating feelings and developing empathy, consideration at this important time can help staff to be more sensitive and understanding when a new resident moves in. Moving into a care home is a major life change and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Everyone has a role in making sure that the new resident is made to feel at home, but what does home feel like and what does it represent?
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