Large numbers of care homes have their own private pub, according to poll

Nearly half of care staff say their care home has its own private pub or a drinking facility where residents can get alcohol, according to research carried out by carehome.co.uk, the leading reviews site for care homes.

The poll revealed that 44 per cent of staff say their care home has a pub or drinking facility where they can drink alcohol.

Nearly a quarter said their elderly care home residents drank once a week, with 21 per cent of care staff saying there is no alcohol permitted in the care home.

The study found that while around one in five care workers say that alcohol is banned for residents, around one in six say there is no limit to how much a resident can drink. The poll of 2,077 care home owners, managers and staff consisted of questions about care home residents’ alcohol intake and limits, as well as their favourite drinks.

A spokesperson for carehome.co.uk called it "encouraging that an increasing number of care homes are thinking outside the box and showing life can continue for people when they go into residential care."

“Going to the pub is a fun and sociable experience. It is good people can still enjoy a chat over a pint of beer and feel they are living a ‘normal life’.

“People should be able to enjoy a pint of beer or glass of wine, as long as the alcohol doesn’t interfere with their medication or increase their risk of falling," added the spokesperson.

Eighteen per cent of care staff said residents were allowed to drink one unit a day and 16 per cent said there is no limit to how much residents can consume. The most popular alcoholic drink amongst male residents is beer, with 40 per cent of care staff highlighting this and the favourite amongst female residents is wine and sherry.

Care homes with pubs

Middlesbrough Grange has its own pub, with a spokesperson saying: "The residents can order what they want (the care team at Anchor’s Middlesbrough Grange know their residents so well they know which drinks are their favourite tipple) and all residents are encouraged to drink sensibly and there have never been any issues as the care team are on hand to ensure the residents and their visitors don’t drink excessively."

Resident Pauline Watts, 75, said: “We can get dressed up and meet our friends in the pub any time of the year without having to go out in the cold.”

Fellow resident Iris Pickard, 71, added that she liked everything about the pub, saying: “I love the atmosphere and it’s a nice place to socialise with friends over a lager.”

Pubs give residents a place to socialise and boosts their independence

Camberley Woods Care Home - Avery Collection in Surrey has a fully working pub consisting of a bar, pool table, darts board and a poker area.

Jeorgia Jones, home admissions advisor at Gracewell of Camberley, revealed: “The pub was inspired by residents Bob and Peter. Bob loves to go out weekly to the pub and play pool, so we felt it would be nice to bring the pub to him – just in case one day he isn’t able to make his trip, he has one right here in his home. Additionally, Peter is also a big fan of playing pool and often misses going out on his own, because he lives with dementia. So, having the Gracewell of Camberley Arms pub enables him to feel more independent, and all residents can socialise together in a comfortable, familiar environment.”

People living at Belong Ltd have the choice whether to drink alcohol and there are licensed venues on site at every Belong care village.

Tracy Paine, deputy chief executive of Belong, said: "Our most recently opened care village, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, which incorporates a heritage gallery created by transforming the town’s oldest building, has a replica of the pub that once stood on the site.

“We often host events and celebrations, ranging from christenings and birthday parties to weddings anniversaries and even ceremonies. A glass of bubbly always goes down well on these occasions and of course, there are non-alcoholic options available for people who don’t want to drink.

“Care staff would just monitor that the consumption of alcohol was in line with medical advice or any medication being taken.”

Milestones Trust’s opened a pub six years ago and it continues to be social hub for the care home.

Staff at Humphry Repton House, came up with the idea after seeing how much residents enjoyed the ‘pub afternoons’ they regularly held at the home.

The bar was built from scratch, while much of the nostalgic paraphernalia was donated by a former pub landlord who now lives at the home. Staff papered the walls and created the wood paneling to make it into an authentic pub. Visitors can play cards, darts, dominoes and other games, and choose tunes on the juke box.

Beth Yarsley, activities coordinator at Humphry Repton House said: "It gives residents the opportunity to socialise with each other, their families and the staff and is frequently used for events. Alcohol is on offer but this is managed in a controlled way and risk assessments are carried out to ensure the safety of our residents. Examples of when residents may enjoy a tipple include a glass of mulled wine at the panto that was put on in the home recently, or a sherry to raise a toast at the Christmas party.

"Rather than beer on tap we provide cans that can be mixed with lemonade if needed or a glass of wine with a meal. It’s more about the social aspect than the alcohol. This is also true for our residents that like to go out and visit the local pub. They may enjoy a half pint but it’s the fact that they are getting into the community and made to feel so welcome that is important.”

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