Is Your Loved One Getting the Best Healthcare in Their Care Home?
Healthcare is non-negotiable in a care home setting. But how exactly is it managed behind the scenes? Care homes oversee every aspect of a resident’s health, from routine check-ups to managing complex conditions.
Keep reading as we break down exactly how healthcare is handled in care homes so you can feel confident that your loved one’s health needs are met with the attention they deserve.
How is Healthcare Managed in Residential Care Homes?
Residents are carefully monitored to ensure that each resident’s health is continuously managed and supported. Here are some ways staff support healthcare in care homes:
- On-site nurses and care assistants provide daily care while monitoring residents’ health.
- Regular GP visits for check-ups and medical reviews.
- Specialists, like dieticians, physiotherapists and mental health professionals, are brought in as needed.
- Each resident has a personalised care plan, regularly updated through health assessments.
- Medication is managed and administered safely by trained staff.
- Care homes follow strict healthcare regulations and safety standards.
- Healthy food customised for conditions and diseases
- Preventative care, like exercise plans and stimulating activities for overall health and well-being.
Managing Long-Term Health Conditions Through Personalised Plans
Each resident in a care home has a personalised healthcare plan for their unique physical and mental needs. Developed upon admission through thorough health assessments, care plans consider medical conditions and personal preferences.
Healthcare plans are not static. Regular assessments by medical professionals ensure any changes in a resident’s health are identified as quickly as possible, including adjusting medication, altering nutrition plans or bringing in NHS specialists for further support.
Residents with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease or dementia must have care plans that include specific treatment protocols. These protocols could involve special dietary requirements, medication schedules or therapies to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Medication Management in Care Homes
From safe storage to regular reviews, care homes follow strict procedures to ensure that medications are administered correctly and adapted as health needs change.
Safe medication administration – Trained staff administer medications accurately and on schedule while following strict protocols.
Regular medication reviews – GPs and pharmacists review residents’ medications to ensure they are still appropriate and adjust them as needed.
Secure storage – Medications are stored securely, with controlled drugs under stricter security to prevent unauthorised access.
Supporting self-administration – Care homes provide reminders or assistance for residents who can manage their own medication to ensure they take it safely and on time.
Preventative Care for Keeping Residents Healthy and Active
Routine Health Screenings
Preventative care starts with regular health screenings. Residents are routinely checked for common conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, celiac disease and heart disease. Early detection through these screenings helps prevent more severe health issues.
Vaccinations
Care homes often offer immunisation programs to protect residents from seasonal infections and diseases. Injections like flu shots, pneumonia vaccines and, when applicable, COVID boosters are given on-site to ensure residents are up-to-date and protected.
Personalised Nutrition Plans
Care homes provide residents with meal plans based on their dietary needs and medical conditions. These plans are created in consultation with dietitians to ensure a balanced diet that supports general well-being. Read more about food in care homes here.
Physical Activity and Wellness Programs
Whether it’s chair yoga, walking groups or light aerobics, these activities promote mobility, strength and cardiovascular health. They can be adjusted to meet the physical capabilities of each resident for comfort and safety.
Holistic Wellness Support
Care homes recognise the importance of mental and emotional well-being in overall health. Activities and social events, mental stimulation games and therapy sessions are incorporated into daily life to keep residents engaged, lower stress levels and enhance quality of life.
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Care Home Coordination with External Healthcare Providers
A good care home will work closely with external healthcare staff to ensure residents receive additional medical care. Whether that’s arranging hospital appointments and visits from specialist teams or even using telemedicine for quicker consultations, staff handle all the logistics, providing shared medical records and keeping families informed.
As mentioned, residential care homes manage healthcare by collaborating with local pharmacies, physiotherapists and mental health services to provide residents with other necessary treatments. When residents return from hospital stays, care homes ensure all medical instructions are passed on, maintaining continuity in their care.
Older adults who have recently had an operation and need focused care for recovery can book a temporary stay at a care home to help them get back onto their feet without any setbacks.
Why Your Loved One’s Health is in Good Hands
Elderly residents are vulnerable, but that doesn’t mean they can’t maintain optimal health. From daily monitoring and medication management to professional care and wellness programs, homes address a wide range of health needs.
Choose a care home that prioritises the health and well-being of residents so you can feel confident that your loved one is in good hands.
