A care home has a few different functions – it keeps people safe and secure, ensures they stay as healthy as possible, offers healthcare, and more. One of the most important aspects of a care home, and one that you’ll want to know more about if you’re moving into one or a family member, might be is how they’re able to enhance wellbeing – it’s a crucial element that shouldn’t be ignored.
Not all care homes are the same, and some aren’t interested in enhancing wellbeing, which can lead to additional health problems, and at the very least, it makes the place less enjoyable to live in. With that in mind, here are some of the ways a care home can make things better, and when you know what they are, you’ll know what you should be looking for when you visit potential homes. Read on to find out more.
Putting The Person First
Something that’s always going to be important when it comes to enhancing wellbeing in a care home is putting the person – the resident – first at all times. This means thinking about every one in an individual way, and ensuring they have everything they need, not just in terms of their medication, for example, but absolutely everything they need, from the right food to activities to having people around them so they don’t get lonely (which can lead to cognitive decline, for example).
By ensuring that the care home puts the resident first, no matter what, just like a Signature care home in Reigate would do, you’ll know that everyone’s wellbeing is being taken care of and enhanced, and that living in the care home would be a positive experience.
Plenty Of Social Engagement
Older people can get very lonely, and they’ll often find they’re isolated socially – even when they have family who visit, they might be alone often due to location or just because everyone leads such busy lives. It’s no one’s fault, and it’s just what often happens as we age.
The problem is that this can lead to memory problems and cognitive decline, and if people aren’t getting out and about very much, their mobility and other physical health problems might get worse, too. That’s why you need to find a care home that offers plenty of opportunities for socializing with others, perhaps in the form of classes or activities, communal mealtimes, and outings. The more that’s on offer the less isolated someone will feel and the healthier and happier they’ll be.
Just Like Home
It can be a wrench to move out of home and into a care home, no matter how important it is or how much good it will do someone – we often get very emotionally attached to our homes, and leaving can be hard. It can even be something that affects our wellbeing, and that’s important to bear in mind.
Although in many cases moving into a care home is absolutely necessary for the health and safety of the resident, that doesn’t mean it’s not still a hard thing to do, which is why finding a care home that feels like home is vital. It won’t be exactly the same, of course, but a care home that allows residents to have their personal belongings in their room in the way they want, homely décor, plenty of natural light, and so on is ideal. It might seem simple, but it’s a big factor in enhancing wellbeing.
