Care home holds mocktail morning as part of Hydrate in Care Homes pilot scheme

Residents at a care home in West Sussex took part in a ‘mocktail morning’ with drinks which included ‘Faux Champagne’, a ‘Ray Rodgers’ and a ‘Shirley Temple, as part of the Hydrate in Care Homes pilot scheme.

Hydrate in Care Homes has been devised by the Kent-Surrey-Sussex Academic Health Science Network (KSSAHSN) to improve hydration among older people living in residential and nursing homes.

The drinks were freshly made at Glebe House care home, with platters of fruit provided as another source of hydration.

Similar trials in Kent and Surrey care homes have seen improved hydration among residents, which also led to a decline in the amount of trips and falls, as well as lowering the chance of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Julie Levy, manager at Glebe House care home, said: “After hearing about the success of this scheme elsewhere I became interested in the idea of piloting it here at Glebe House. The mocktail morning was a huge hit with the residents and, as a result, we’re already looking into having a monthly ‘hydrate’ morning, whether it be with mocktails or other fun and interactive ways to increase hydration.

“We’re also hoping to develop a hydration policy, so that residents and their families can be safe in the knowledge that they are receiving the optimum food and drink that will encourage wellbeing, health and hydration. Through our continued work with the KSSAHSN, we hope to proactively reduce the risk of accidents while providing residents with stimulating social events.”

The home’s activities coordinator, Jamie Jewell, and team leader, Michelle Hedgcock, have both been nominated as ‘hydrate champions’ and undertook training to understand the best ways of increasing the fluid intake of their residents.

Working with the KSSAHSN’s coordinator, Laura Perkins, they will aim to provide monthly reports on the amount of falls and UTIs to analyse the effects of improved hydration in residents.

Glebe House care home is run by Shaw healthcare, and provides nursing and residential care for elderly patients and those with physical disabilities.

click here for more details or to contact Glebe House Care Home