Priorities For Operational Success Within The Care Home

Whilst the pressures of the pandemic have eased its lasting impact on the care industry can t be overlooked with many carers finding it difficult to remember life before Covid-19 Last year Miele Professional conducted research with senior care professionals to find out what they expected the future of care to look like in a postCovid environment and what needs to be the focus for long term operational success Here are three key areas that were highlighted:

1

Infection Prevention

Infection prevention has always been crucial within the care industry; however the pandemic forced care homes to implement and adhere to increased hygiene measures to help manage infection outbreaks Consequently 91% of respondents have experienced challenges with changing rules and regulations and are on the brink of information overload Despite this, 88% believe that these changes have had an overall positive impact and as a result, will continue to focus on infection prevention methods to achieve operational success

2 Recruitment

Staff

Residents

They will also write messages with their wishes for the upcoming year and that is something that will be regularly updated Cathy Rothwell, one of the activity coordinators at the home said With the start of the new year we wanted to create something at the home to welcome 2023

The Tree of Hope symbolises life and will show the complete circle of nature yet staff

By Nicola Whittaker, National Account Manager at Miele Professional (www mielecarehome co uk)

turnover is rising - unfortunately this is at a time when people are increasingly needing care services According to 37% of the survey respondents Covid-19 had a direct impact on staff working hours causing ‘burnout’, additional stress, and influencing workers to leave the profession 81% of senior care professionals claim that staff shortages are moderately to extremely challenging and there isn t any expectation that this will get better anytime soon

3 Quality Of Life

Isolation, visitor restrictions and shielding were implemented within care homes to better protect residents from the transmission of Covid-19 but this came at a cost Nearly a third of respondents agreed that quality of life for care home residents declined substantially throughout the pandemic as they were not given the experiences they needed to ‘live life’ Both short and long term the value of life needs to be at the heart of the care industry with one forum participant commenting it s about the quality of life not longevity Now more than ever, carers play an important role in helping facilitate this through the organisation of activities in tandem with ensuring infection prevention protocols are followed to keep residents both safe and engaged

Download the Future of Care report by Miele Professional to learn more at www mielecarehome co uk/content-library

“The tree will begin as some branches in a pot but will blossom and grow throughout the year

“The purpose of the tree is to look forward and look for ways to celebrate life and encourage living positively

“With the new year comes new beginnings and hope, our residents have really liked the idea and there has been some lovely conversations regarding the tree

With the help of staff they have enjoyed taking part in making the tree and adding their own bits to decorate it

When 2023 is over all the messages are going to be put into a book to keep this will be done as an activity with our residents and our Tree of Hope can begin again next year