Residential care homes provide accommodation and personal care to those elderly who need that extra help and support in their day to day lives - but it’s also much more than that. Residential care is a vital source of hope, comfort, and dignity for many older people who may struggle by themselves otherwise.
Residential care has always been important, but since the effects of the Covid19 pandemic, it plays an even more crucial social role in the lives of many, whose mental health and wellbeing may be suffering caused by feelings of loneliness and isolation.
We at Avon Park Care Home are here to answer some of your most pressing questions, so you can further understand why residential care is so important.
What Are The Different Types Of Care?
Sometimes, people refer to both ‘nursing homes’ and ‘residential homes’ as simply a ‘care home’, but there are in fact some quite distinct differences between the type of care and support each provides.
Whereas a nursing care home resident may need specialist nursing care or dementia support, this isn’t always true of people in residential care. They are generally able to look after themselves, but they may need assistance with everyday tasks like washing, dressing, taking medicines, or going to the toilet.
That’s not to say that the support offered by a residential home is less important. The safety, companionship, and mind-stimulation provided by residential care can dramatically improve the quality of life of both the resident and their family, who can continue with the peace of mind that their loved one is being cared for with attentive assistance.
What Makes A Good Residential Care Home?
Deciding to move yourself or a loved one into residential care is a difficult and sometimes disheartening decision. On top of that, finding the right care home can seem overwhelming, and you may not know how you can tell a residential care home will be able to provide the comfort and happiness you seek for yourself or your loved one.
It may seem obvious, but the primary thing a residential care home should provide is to care! Without care, a residential home will never feel like home. A good care home should be inviting, personalised, and comfortable, so when a friend or relative visits, they feel like they’re entering their loved ones own private home rather than a hospital ward.
No resident should receive the exact same care routine as another, since safeguarding individuality is another essential factor in providing care with dignity. And there should be optional activities like games and sports, dancing, gardening, arts and crafts, musical therapy, and language lessons, that residents are encouraged- but not forced- to join.
You should be able to feel whether a residential care home is a good one or not. There should be love and laughter all the way through the heart of the building. There should be comfort and care, happiness and hope. It’s those feelings that make the real difference in residential care.
Why Avon Park Care Home?
At Avon Park Care Home, we’ve been providing care for those who value their dignity and independence since 1988. Our facilities are set in peaceful landscaped grounds, and all rooms are well furnished, maintained to a high standard, and approved by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The quality of care we provide always has been, and always will be our number one priority. Our staff are devoted to helping residents realise personal aspirations and abilities, through exciting and engaging social and cultural activities. They’re continuously trained to provide help when it’s urgently needed and deliver comfort and happiness in a safe and secure environment.
Avon Park Care Home respects all our residents' privacy, their right to confidentiality, and their dignity, preserving their individual qualities and needs. We allow our residents their own personal autonomy and choice, with such rights as choosing when they get up, when and where they would like to eat their three full meals a day, and allowing transparent access to personal records.
Social visits from family friends at any time are actively encouraged and are always welcome to join any celebrations and special occasions. We also offer rental of our Webber Lounge for private celebrations, free of charge.
As of today, in 2021, 490,300 of the 13million people aged over 65 in the UK are living in residential care. By 2030 this will have increased to 15million people aged over 65, with around 600,000 of these people either living in or needing residential care.
Avon Park Care Home will be ready to provide the same support with care and compassion then, as we do today - and will do for every day in between.
