The COVID-19 Recovery and Rehabilitation project was kindly funded by The Rayne Foundation to help care homes share with each other what they are doing to help individuals living, dying, visiting and working in care homes for older people to move on from COVID-19.  This story relates to Maintaining identity, which is an important part of Developing best practice together.

If you have a story to share, please email us on mhlcharity@outlook.com.

As one care home shared…

Before the lockdown, we prided ourselves on our person-centred care, always engaging with our residents at an individual level. When the pandemic started, we quickly found ourselves doing things differently. We were keen on person-centred care and wanted to ensure that we upheld this way of care. This was challenging, but despite the difficulties, we still pressed on. As carers, we were stressed and words cannot easily describe what pressure we worked under. However, beautiful things came out of this difficult experience.

 

We really believed that we understood person-centred care, but the pandemic taught us even more. We got to know our residents in deeper ways than we once did. As part of the new things being done, we spoke more to family members, got more creative about fulfilling the individual desires/preferences of our residents, and we asked questions and discussed things more deeply with residents, where it was possible. We talked with family members with even more excitement and interest as we found out more details about the lives of our residents. We then used this information to tailor the experience of our residents on a very personal level.

 

We were the only ‘entertainers’ they had, as no one else was allowed into the building. Information technology has also taken off for us in a different way. We used all sorts of IT to enhance the experience of our residents, and even staff. For example, we began using individualised electronic newsletters during the lockdown and now we continue to use them! These are individualised newsletters for our residents, developed by their families. It’s simple to create, as families can easily use a template. They can add words and pictures in one go, or record activities like a journal over a period, for example one week.

 

Grandchildren could also record their activities too. All this information goes into a template and is automatically produced as an e-newsletter which is sent to the resident. What a delight when they receive it!

 

Although we previously enjoyed opportunities to spend time with our residents, there were more group activities for most of the residents. However, since the pandemic began, we now have more opportunities for individualised activities with residents. Although times are still difficult, this is ray of sunshine which we all enjoy, spending good quality time with residents in a deeper, more individual way. Now, person-centred care means a whole lot more.

What are you now doing differently to maintain identity, as a result of the pandemic? (we’d love to hear from you)