Family plays a vital role in care homes to ensure that your loved one receives quality care. One of the most crucial things you can do is to recognise their indications of negligence and trust their intuition if they suspect anything is wrong.
On the other hand, you may feel unsure that your loved one is safe when you are not constantly present. Hence, it is crucial to keep an eye on their level of care or if you notice any mistreatment.
How to Keep an Eye on a Loved One Who is Receiving Care in a Care home?
You can assist care homes to a higher quality of care by agreeing to monitor your loved one’s health as a family member. You can help keep them away from any negligence that endangers a resident’s well-being and peace by being more involved and aware.
However, a care management system can help you communicate with your loved ones, especially post pandemic. Now you can use the “family app” by CareVision and establish new ways to interact with your family or loved ones. Despite the many changes we confront in caring for service users, families are encouraged to stay engaged.
Here are some important things mentioned below if you are worried about a loved one and want to make sure they are getting the best possible care and assistance:
1. Visit Frequently
Visit your loved one frequently and observe their behaviour whilst meeting them. This is the best way to ensure that they are happy, satisfied, and receiving the care and support they require. When you visit, ask many questions which keep them engaged in conversation. For instance, is there a menu of options for the meal served? Is it possible for them to participate in several activities on any given day?
Visiting at different times of the day is another efficient way to have a genuine picture of a residents’ care. Visit them in the afternoons, on a weekend or during the holidays. You can identify any irregularities in staffing and caregiving by visiting at different times.
2. Observe Staff Behaviour During Visit
It is necessary to keep your eyes open during your visit. Pay attention to the staff and make a mental note of any red flags you notice. Ask yourself questions regarding the care facility and the staff’s behaviour. Are staff members properly trained to take care of your loved ones? How much time does a carer spend with each resident? Do staff respond quickly when they are called up?
These behaviours might be helpful signs of how well your loved one is being cared for. Any negatives that come up as a result of these questions can help you to figure out the best way to improve the care provided to your loved one.
3. Keep an Eye on Any Mistreatment and Negligence
If you are concerned, or observe a change in their behaviour and suspect any negligence, you should keep track of your concerns and be vigilant to any new indicators. It could be possible that your loved one is being mistreated by a member of staff. An indication would be if their personality or behaviour changes, or if there appears to be a conflict between them and their carer.
4. Make a Phone Call to them Everyday
Video or audio calls to your loved ones are crucial in keeping a healthy relationship. Ask about their health and what they did that day. Communication will help a resident settle in much quicker into a care home. Additionally, resident’s are less likely to feel lonely if they have regular contact with their family and other residents.
5. Take your Loved Ones with You on a Trip
It is an essential aspect of your loved ones peace of mind. When you visit them, take them home once a month for a day or two and enjoy some days away with them on a mini break. This will help make them feel that you still have a strong relationship with them and your care will make them feel content.
How can Carers Deliver the Best Possible Care and Attention?
Whilst doing your job, there are many attributes and traits that a caregiver requires and cannot be taught. These are the essential abilities that a carer needs to feel empathy and compassion for their residents to provide the best possible care and their full attention.
Make a Positive Impact on a Resident
Carers may benefit from good relationships with their residents as this will have a positive impact on them. Healthcare providers should establish positive, open, and trusting relationships. It can help residents become more comfortable with interacting and allow them to talk more openly if they have any queries or issues.
Respect Your Residents
Responding to a residents’ concern indicates that you value them as unique individuals with unique needs. It is good practice if you show them your humble and positive attitude towards them and respond to them promptly if they need you.
Help Residents in their Daily Activities
Residents’ basic needs can be fulfilled, and carers must assist them in everyday tasks like bathing, laundering, etc. On the other hand, care providers should learn to listen, offer activities, exchange information, build trust, and promote compliance, allowing them to better use their time and energy.
Verdict
Residential care is a safe and comforting solution for seniors who no longer have the capability to live alone. It ensures that all of the residents’ needs are met and that your loved ones may live peacefully in a homelike environment. However, the goal is to give staff more time to spend with residents, enable regulatory compliance, and increase the quality of care. In this, care management platforms such as CareVision can help manage your whole administration and devote more time to residents.