Enter and view: I'm still me report
Download (PDF 10.54 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Dorset created this report following identifying care homes as a priority area for investigation in their work programme. The purpose was to conduct research to help establish the scope of a potential project around ‘Meaningful Activities’ and what is in place for residents to keep them mentally and physically stimulated to enhance their quality of life and retain their sense of self to enable their enter and view programme to 'Add value'.
Healthwatch Dorset randomly selected 8 care homes (spread across all districts of the county) and undertook unannounced visits over a period of 2 months. After the visits, they asked the homes for feedback on our approach and carried out a review with their Enter & View authorised representative volunteers. Following this, they then amended and adapted the methodology, considering all the feedback received.
Some key findings of the report include:
- Not all homes had a “whole home” approach to who is responsible for activity planning and provision.
- Some larger homes had dedicated activity “teams”.
- Larger homes had easier access to transport (especially homes which are part of larger groups).
- Smaller homes knew their residents better.
The report includes 7 recommendations for care homes, including;
• All staff need some support and/or training to recognise that the social and emotional needs of residents are just as important as the daily physical aspects of care. Some staff we spoke to had received formal NVQ training for example, some had received limited “on the job” awareness.
• True “meaningful activities” should match the personal interests and capabilities of the individual. Even if only one person wishes to
undertake a particular activity, homes should be empowering and enabling them to do so wherever possible.
• Commissioners need to promote protected time for staff to facilitate meaningful activities for residents, encourage appropriate staff training and development of true individualised activity planning which is regularly reviewed. There should also be regular reviews to identify those residents at risk of social isolation i.e., those that prefer to stay in their own rooms, do not have the opportunity to leave the home for trips etc. or do not wish to be involved in groups activities.
The report also includes learnings for future enter and view visits to be carried out by Healthwatch Dorset. It does not contain a response from the service providers.