Caring for improved mental health is always one of the most important factors when deciding the right care home for you or your loved ones. With the current Coronavirus pandemic this has increased significantly in the minds of us all, we put equal focus on physical health as we do on mental.
Melancholy and loneliness are frequently mentioned when caring for the elderly, and being in a completely new environment can be a stressful time, the initial transition from independent living to a social care setting is a key moment, so our team are always looking for indicator signs for early depression. Rather than treating everyone the same way, our person-centred approach is what we believe works best, this we have identified and approach to tackle in various areas, one of those is Activities.
The most effective approach to maintain the mind healthy is to keep it active, which is why we work to arrange weekly fun and meaningful activities for the residents. Whilst some may enjoy a more private day to day routine, for those who enjoy socialising and company, a sudden lack of interest in socialising or participating in activities may indicate that all is not well and will form as a key early indicator.
One of the assumptions for some residents is that moving into a care home means they lose their personality and freedom, we encourage personality and identity. To improve mental health and well-being at our care home, it is important to have meaningful conversations about life, looking through old photos, recalling past memories, this will allow our carers to connect with those they support on more personal levels. Knowing more about someone’s life allows you to be a better carer and allows the resident to feel like they are still living their own life and able to share their inner emotions.
We have covered in our support guides some key areas we feel should be considered, these areas are personal identity, activities, mental wellbeing and access to healthcare. We work regularly with local authorities and healthcare professionals to tailor the care for our residents. Individualised care plans structured for personal needs will always be coupled with flexible care round the clock, whilst also supported by family involvement initiatives. Get in touch with us to understand more or to arrange a visit.