Care homes throughout the UK hold events for Care Home Open Day

Care homes across the UK held open day events in support of Care Home Open Day 2015 on Friday 19th June.

The national event is hosted annually to show examples of excellent social care and invites families and members of the public into care homes to meet residents and care workers.

Saint Cecilia's Care Home in Scarborough welcomed Andrea Sutcliffe, chief inspector of Adult Social Care at the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Chair of the UKHCA and director of St Cecelia’s, Mike Padgham, said: “We were really pleased that Mrs Sutcliffe was able to join us as part of her tour of homes during open day on Friday and are grateful to her for coming.”

The home hosted an exercise session during the day and welcomed members of Stephen Joseph Theatre’s Outreach team to teach residents to juggle, spin plates and play percussion.

Mr Padgham continued: “Care homes like ours are facing huge challenges at the moment – a lack of funding and a dire shortage of staff to name just two. We need to get the message across that care homes are providing a vital service and need to be supported.”

“During the open day I think we were able to demonstrate the exciting, stimulating and varied activities that are provided in care homes, alongside compassionate and professional care, and I’d like to think it helped to dispel some of the myths that surround residential care."

St Cecilia’s also received a visit from the mayor and Councillor Tom Fox and Scarborough and Whitby MP Robert Goodwill.

in Morpeth, Northumberland welcomed local Mayor, Councillor Alison Byard, and held a party to celebrate a resident’s 101st birthday.

'It's a very good way to dispel some of the myths and misperceptions about adult social care.'

The day’s celebrations included musical performances by local singers, stalls selling books, bric-a-brac and cakes.

Manager at Riverside House, Annette Stephens, said: “We’d all like to say a very happy birthday to Bessie, who is a lovely lady. Her son thanked us for looking after his mum and said that if she hadn’t been living here, she would not have lived to this ripe old age!

“The open day celebration was fantastic and Bessie and other residents really enjoyed it. It was a great way to meet many members of the public and we’d like to say thank you to Councillor Alison Byard for attending.

“It’s important to open our doors to members of the public to show them the fantastic and supportive care provided for residents, to hopefully challenge some people’s misconceptions of care homes.”

The Registered Nursing Home Association (RNHA) recognises the importance of Care Home Open Day and how it gives people within local communities the chance to see the work care home staff and nurses provide for care home residents.

Chief executive, Frank Ursell, commented: “We applaud and encourage the opening up of care homes in this way. In particular, we hope very much that individuals unfamiliar with their work and ethos will come in for an hour or so to interact with both residents and staff. It is also a very good way to dispel some of the myths and misperceptions about adult social care.

“We know from previous research that many new residents of nursing homes are pleasantly surprised by what they find. For example, a study by the Personal and Social Services Research Unit at the University of Kent in 2011 found that the vast majority of those interviewed around three months after moving into a care home said their quality of life had improved, they had more control over their lives than they had expected, their health and other needs were being better met than before, and they were socialising as much as or even more than they used to.

“We think it is good for care homes to interact as much as possible with their local communities. Holding the Care Home Open Day event is, the RNHA believes, an excellent way of fostering new relationships with local people.”

More than 100 CQC inspectors visited care homes across the UK in celebration of Care Home Open Day.

Events were also hosted at The Grange Care Centre in Stanford in the Vale and The Poplars Care Centre in Maidstone, whilst Grace Manor Care Centre held a celebration day to commemorate the completion of their new sensory garden project.

Bridgeside Lodge Care Centre in Islington and Ash Court Care Centre in Kentish Town both hosted barbeques for their residents and visitors to enjoy in their gardens.

Forest Care Village Elstree & Borehamwood celebrated the day by opening a new dementia unit. The unit features a French style baker, a flower shop, a post box and doors feature functional door knockers and letter boxes.

Manager Wendy Lawther said: “Anyone is welcome any time to come and see the excellent services and fantastic work that goes on here at Forest Care Village but the great thing about the Care Home Open Day is that it challenges misconceptions about care homes and encourages local people to visit care homes in their community to find out what level of services are available. Once they do, they’re usually pleasantly surprised to find that care homes like ours are very welcoming, and full of friendly, interesting people! If you ever find yourself faced with finding a care home, either for yourself or a loved one, that’s very reassuring to know.”