Professor Martin Green, Chief Executive at Care England shares his thoughts on the role of wellbeing in residential care.
Improving wellbeing in care homes is essential to ensuring that residents receive the best possible care and support. Several key strategies can be implemented to enhance the wellbeing of residents, and wellbeing must be at the top of the agenda for all care homes.
Implementing person centred care is crucial for improving the wellbeing of residents. This approach focuses on each resident’s individual needs and preferences, ensuring that care is tailored to meet their unique needs and aspirations. Care homes can create a more supportive and empowering environment by treating residents as individuals and involving them in decision making. We all need to feel in control of our own lives, and whatever our frailties or challenges, we still want to make decisions over our own lives.
Encouraging social engagement among residents is vital for promoting wellbeing. Care homes work hard to provide opportunities for residents to socialise, participate in group activities, and form meaningful friendships with others, which can help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. Organising social events, group outings, and recreational activities can foster a sense of community and belonging among residents. It is often forgotten that residents support each other and form communities of mutual interest, which can also help wellbeing.
Promoting physical activity and exercise is essential for a good quality of life, and however frail people are, they can usually do some form of exercise. Regular physical activity can improve physical health, mobility, and overall wellbeing. Care homes can offer exercise classes, walking groups, and other physical activities to encourage residents to stay active and maintain their physical health. In the past, many people became much more sedentary when they went into care, but over the last few years, we have seen care homes really embracing the need to engage people in physical activity as an essential part of maintaining their independence and improving their mental health and wellbeing.
People in care homes tell me that meal times are really important, not only in terms of nutrition but also for engaging with friends and developing relationships. A healthy diet can contribute to overall health and improved energy levels and mood. Care homes offer various nutritious meal options, but we must also remember that nutrition is a very important part of meal times, as are personal preferences and connection with others.
Offering emotional support and counselling services can help residents cope with feelings of anxiety, depression, or stress. Moving to a care home or facing the realities of life with several health conditions can lead to depression, and care homes often provide access to mental health professionals, support groups, and counselling services to address residents’ emotional needs and promote mental wellbeing. This is where we need to see much more cooperation between the NHS and care. Providers and the NHS must remember that care home residents are entitled to the same services as citizens.
In recent years, many care homes have embraced holistic therapies such as aromatherapy, massage, and relaxation techniques, which can contribute to wellbeing. These therapies can help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and improve overall quality of life. Many care homes are also offering these therapies to their staff. It must be remembered that staff wellbeing is a cornerstone of delivering high quality care and good quality lives to the people we support.
Creating outdoor spaces and gardens within care homes can allow residents to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors. Access to outdoor spaces can improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance overall wellbeing. Care homes should design outdoor areas that are safe, accessible, and inviting for residents and their visitors.
Recently I was lucky enough to attend a reception for National Association for Providers of Activities for Older People, (NAPA). The number of activities NAPA has helped care homes deliver is outstanding. What was fantastic about this reception was the number of older people engaging with care homes and ensuring they were part of the community.
The wellbeing of residents and staff has to be at the very centre of the agenda for all care homes, and I’m particularly proud of the work being done in this area.
@ProfMartinGreen @CareEngland
