Blog

The wonderful Tara French from Glasgow School of Art Innovation School shared her inspiring vision at Scottish Care National Care Home Conference & Exhibition 2019.

She said “We have to think radically and work towards transformation if we are to have a sustainable sector. Other than funding and recruitment, the biggest challenge we face is perception. How do we shift this so that care homes are seen as a destination and not as a last resort? Let’s start sharing the care home truth”

I agree that this should be the main focus for all care homes in the UK for 2020. Let’s share our good practice, learn how to promote ourselves and change the view of care homes in general. In a society that showers praise and admiration on footballers and social media stars there needs to be a shift in the way we explain “greatness” to younger generations. We need to show that kindness and caring for others is worth far more than skills in kicking a football or having 10k followers on instagram.

We also need to shift the view that care homes are terrible places filled with sadness, loneliness, boredom and abuse as this is so far from the reality of what is going on in the UK's care homes today.

In my own experience care homes today are bright and light, filled with the sound of chatter and laughter and music. Staff work hard but the reward for them is connection, relationships and a sense of purpose that you would struggle to achieve in most other job sectors. Residents make friends, find roles of their own within the care home family, often taking on jobs and finding structure to their lives unlike elderly living alone at home. Care home living gives companionship, structure, support, and fun. We are never too old to have fun and experience new things and reignite passion for old hobbies or career tasks. Where this may not always be possible while living alone, opportunities while living in care homes are provided and encouraged. We all know that sometimes without some encouragement it can be easy to slip into “wasting time” instead of making “quality time” for ourselves.

When we think of spending Christmas in a care home it can often make people feel pity and sadness but it can be a truly wonderful experience for most. How often can elderly people living at home (often alone) say that they are visited by nurseries, primary schools, church choirs, and entertainers. Filled with Christmas biscuits and chocolates and a cheeky festive sherry. Encouraged to craft and bake and laugh. Eat Christmas dinner with all your neighbours (who’ve become friends too). There is a sense of community living in a care home that in today’s society we don’t see with door to door neighbours anymore. We may care for them but they also care for each other which is a wonderful example of the basic human nature of kindness no matter what state of health or mentality you may be in yourself.

For family members having a loved one in a care home can often bring guilt and self doubt - “I wasn’t strong enough to look after my own mum” however many family members who I have spoken to this year said how they were overwhelmed with relief at seeing how well cared for and happy their loved ones are over the festive period and how it made Christmas easier for everyone. Of course in a picture perfect world we would have Christmas like in every Christmas movie ever made with every family member in one room, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Uncle Frank playing piano and everyone singing along but in reality Christmas is a stressful time and a time of worry if you have an elderly relative. Are they warm enough? Well enough? Fed enough? Lonely? Or would they rather be left alone and my incessant “checking in” is actually not required. To have the knowledge that your loved one is safe, well cared for and their needs being met can be a huge relief. Also visiting can be a more enjoyable experience where time spent together is “quality” as there’s no need to run around tidying, filing cupboards, checking medicine supplies etc. So just spending time with them is enough.

Looking after a loved one at home is hugely admirable but can cause burn out for care -givers very quickly. Being in a care home means that the responsibility is shared among lots of different people - meaning that each one (skilled in different areas of care) can focus on different areas of importance such as nutrition, medication, personal care, activities and wellbeing.

Care Homes shouldn’t be seen as a last resort but rather more of a loving supportive environment for those who need it. Let’s make 2020 the year we change perspectives on this. Let's share OUR truth!