What is important to people in a care home?

Healthwatch Staffordshire undertook research on aspects of care homes that are important to people. This research was intended to establish what good practice in a care home looks like. The research was conducted in two parts; part one comprised an initial survey and initial interviews, and part two comprised follow-up surveys and interviews. Overall feedback was collected from 406 people. Part one included feedback from 52 people (43 care home residents and 9 relatives of care home residents) collected via 43 interviews and 9 surveys; part two included feedback from 354 people (200 care home residents, 25 relatives of care home residents, 8 friends of care home residents, 116 care home staff, and 5 people with an unspecified relationship to a care home resident) collected via 281 interviews and 73 surveys. The data collection period was not reported.

Part 1 of the research identified 12 aspects of care homes that were important to people: caring and friendly staff; welcoming atmosphere, comfortable and clean environment; high standards of personal care; access to healthcare; good communication with residents and family; a variety of activities and outings; keeping in touch with family or friends; socialising, making friends in the care home, and pets; nice room with personal possessions; accommodation of spiritual needs; good variety of food; and a good moving-in experience and support while settling in.

Part 2 of the research found that caring and friendly staff was the most important aspect of care homes to residents, family, friends, and staff. A comfortable and clean environment was reported as a ‘Top 4’ concern by all subsamples except staff. Other important aspects raised during Part 2 of the research were: staff to resident ratio, resident inclusion in decision making, accommodation of spiritual needs (i.e., religious practices), and specialist in-house care (e.g., physiotherapy).

No recommendations were included in the report.