Quality of life – Keeping residents mentally and physically stimulated
Independent Living in care homes
Independence for residents in care homes can take many different forms, from preparing and cooking meals to doing laundry. Encouraging independence should be considered for those residents who are able.
In-house laundry in these facilities are advantageous for a number of reasons. It’s not just about ease of use, but also creating a sense of community for those residents who are still able to do their own laundry. Setting up a shared laundry facility for residents not only reduces the demands on the central management of laundry, but also instils a sense of daily routine and pride for residents, whilst helping to promote independence and physical activity. This also allows residents to enjoy each other's company in a different environment to the living space.
Something as simple as preparing and making their own meals or baking in a decentralized kitchen can have a big impact on the quality of life for residents in nursing and care homes. Cooking meals with other residents helps to promote physical and mental stimulation, simply by following a recipe, and once the cleaning up has been done and the food is ready to eat, it creates a great feeling of achievement, and companionship with their cooking buddy.
Exercise
The physical abilities of every resident will be different but engaging in regular physical activity encourages mobility, strength, and flexibility, whilst alleviating stress and ultimately contributing to an improved quality of life.
Walking is an effective exercise for both mental and physical stimulation, helping to reduce stress and anxiety whilst improving mood and sleep quality. Group activity within such facilities is even more beneficial, allowing residents to interact with one another, creating a sense of belonging and shared experience.
With mobility being an issue for some residents, exercise could be viewed as challenging, but there are a variety of ways to include those of limited movement. Simple chair exercises can help to improve posture, flexibility and back pain.
Handicrafts
Engaging in handicrafts such as knitting or sewing can enhance a resident’s wellbeing tremendously. Staff could deliver crafts sessions in a creative and enthusiastic manner and whilst participation may vary from taking part or even just watching, it can be extremely beneficial to try and unlock their creative sides. It is important to give residents a sense of purpose, so starting and eventually finishing something is of course great, but adding an extra layer to the activity can really make the difference.
Something as simple as having an in-house crafts exhibition can encourage residents to create something with passion, or even having them be made as gifts for their family members provides a nice touch.
We believe that all these activities can help to create meaningful connections and enrich the quality of life for everyone in care facilities. At Miele Professional our solutions provide simple to use laundry and dishwashing equipment that can be easily operated by staff. From simple program selection to intuitive user panels, our equipment makes the perfect addition to any care home to create an enriched user experience.
- 1.The Access Group - https://www.theaccessgroup.com/en-gb/blog/hsc-care-home-activity-ideas/
- 2.Social Care Institute for Excellence - https://www.scie.org.uk/person-centred-care/arts-in-care-homes/topic/gardening
- 3.CHD Living - https://www.chdliving.co.uk/m-faqs-and-policies/supported-independent-living/