Care home residents 'not just eating and sleeping' but finding new careers

Care home residents are not 'just eating and sleeping', but are starting new jobs as housekeepers, gardeners, maintenance men and even as an official photographer.

The jobs available have been described as ‘limitless’ by care group Westgate Healthcare with roles at each of its care homes “adapted to suit our residents and their personal interests”.

Juliana Mensah, care home manager at St Paul’s Care Centre says: “Giving residents jobs, makes them feel responsible; gives them an identity. They’re not just eating and drinking and sleeping.

“Work is not only helpful for the residents themselves but also other residents, staff and the care home."

Seventy-four-year-old Brenton Neal has continued to pursue his lifelong love of photography while living in a care home, thanks to his appointment as official photographer at St Paul’s Care Centre in Hemel Hempstead.

Brenton Neal, who has dementia says: “I’m very happy to have a role as resident photographer as this was my job before I retired. I love that I get to take photographs at St Paul's, especially capturing activities and day trips.”

Mr Neal has taken photographs of staff members awarded ‘Employee of the Month’, residents’ birthday parties and other events hosted at the care home.

Most of the new recruits have dementia

The care home is one of seven care homes which have handed out jobs to eager residents, the majority of whom have dementia. It is part of a ‘Lifestyle Pioneers’ programme launched by the care group, Westgate Healthcare at its care homes.

Ann Slater, who lives at Byron House Care Home in Aylesbury is delighted to have been appointed gardener.

She says: “I love being outdoors and have always enjoyed gardening. I love wearing my lifestyle pioneer badge that shows my role around the home.”

Animal lover Brian Lace cares for the pets at St Paul’s Care Centre. He feeds and grooms Rocky the rabbit and two other rabbits. He regularly takes them out of their hutches to deliver a dose of pet therapy at residents’ bedsides, as staff look on.

'A sense of purpose'

The care home’s in-house ‘security officer’ Jackie Heaps, aged 83, who also has dementia, can be seen stationed at her post by a large, front window looking out for anyone going in and out of the building.

There is nothing that escapes Jackie, who knows all the comings and goings and is able to alert staff to unlock the door with a code to let visitors in the care home before they have even reached the front door.

Ms Mensah says: “The jobs encourage residents to continue doing the things they love most. It gives them a sense of purpose. Jackie’s presence has meant no one has to wait.”

Then there is 83-year-old Mary Kelly, who is so enthusiastic about the work programme, she has taken up two jobs. As housekeeper she can be seen sweeping the floor of the reception area with a broom and making suggestions to staff about how residents’ rooms and communal areas can be improved. She is keen to point out anything that looks worn out and needs replacing.

Dressed in a housekeeper uniform with a purple top, black trousers and a badge, Mary also has ideas on how best to present the care home’s ‘show room’ - a beautifully-set up vacant room shown to visitors.

'You know she's got moves'

Staff from Oomph! the external wellness and activity business, visit the care home to host activity sessions and Mary is the appointed ‘Oomph lead’.

This time clad in an Oomph! t-shirt, she is often seen jumping and gyrating her hips to the music during Oomph! sessions, with the energy and bounce of a woman much younger. Her efforts succeed in encouraging other residents to get moving.

Ms Mensah says: “You know she’s got moves. It’s a talent. All kinds of moves. As soon as they are playing music, up she gets onto the floor, dancing.

When she is dancing, you wouldn’t believe she is 83-years-old! When they see Mary, it motivates the others to do the same.”

One male resident with DIY skills has been making suggestions at the care home on how improvements can be made in his new job as maintenance advisor.

Describing the success of the lifestyle pioneers programme so far, care home manager Ms Mensah says: "Every care home across the country should do it.”

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