With 2022 now behind us, we look ahead with optimism to a new year of the best quality resident care. The Easter period can be a busy time for care homes with many residents wanting to celebrate and spend time with their loved ones – and 2023 is sure to be no different! However, the increase in footfall and visitations makes it vital for care homes to not only freshen up their look, but to also stay on the ball with new and updated compliance regulations.

A spring clean for care homes

If you’ve had a chance to read through our latest, free eBrochure, ’12 lessons we learnt in 2022 that will strengthen your care home in 2023’, you will know that small touches can make a big difference. Putting time and emphasis into making sure a care home always looks fresh and attended to is a great indicator to visitors – whether it’s residents’ loved ones, or potential occupants – that you take care in every aspect of your service and its environment.

Be your own harshest critic and identify every detail as if you were entering the care home for the first time: are any flowers wilting that need replacing? Is a noticeboard overflowing with last year’s messages that can now be taken down? Can communal spaces, such as lounges or dining areas, use a bit of redecoration to better suit the season? Encouraging care management teams and workers to be on the lookout for small details such as this is a simple and easy way to promote a more attractive, positive and

Ready for the Single Assessment Framework (SAF)

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) new approach — the Single Assessment Framework — is due to be introduced in 2023 and will ‘gradually start to carry out assessments in the new way’ towards the end of the year. However, for social care providers, owners and managers, we highly recommend using this opportunity to get ahead of the new regulation policies now, so your care service is fully prepared for the new framework’s requirements when they come into play.

One of the largest shifts that The Single Assessment Framework will introduce is the way that they gather evidence, with a new focus on:

• People’s experience of health and care services — through feedback from residents and service-users.
• Feedback from staff and leaders — this includes staff survey results, interviews with care workers and any reports or concerns raised with the CQC.
• Feedback from partners — evidence from commissioners and local authorities.
• Observation — both on and off-site, which can include interviews with residents, visitors or care staff.
• Processes — an evaluation of compliance, methods, reported incidents and trends.
• Outcomes — measurable figures including infection prevention control, emergency admissions and quality of life assessments.

Whilst many of the Single Assessment Framework’s new policies focus on people-led care, it’s important for care providers, owners and managers to also be prepared for a new drive for data. If you’re not already using one, introducing a is a great way to easily collect evidence and audit reports, to ensure the best overview of positive care trends and highlight any emerging issues early.

Care home visitation restrictions removed

For the first time since 2019, we start a year with no restrictions on care home visitations. This will be a great relief for many, but it’s important that care homes are on top of their Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) policies, to ensure the safest environment possible.

For the safety of staff and often vulnerable residents, IPC is vital for care homes. According to the latest government data, despite a continued decrease nationally, the highest COVID-19 and influenza infection rates continue to be in care homes. This makes it key for care home owners, providers and managers to stay strict with their internal assessments and processes when it comes to IPC and continue to follow hand and respiratory hygiene, along with high PPE standards.

The UK government’s current guidance for face masks gives care providers the autonomy to assess their own risks, so it’s advisable to be safe – and never sorry! Every care home is different with varying resident needs and environments, so regularly carrying out of your IPC measures can promote better quality care and reduce the potential for outbreaks.

Spring activities for your care home residents

What’s Easter without some seasonal fun? Arranging Spring activities and events can bring some cheer to your residents and staff, and promote a positive care environment that gets everyone involved. Plus, a 2020 showed that creativity boosted the mood and behaviours of people living with dementia, making it a great way to stimulate residents emotionally and physically.

A few quick and simple ideas you can try in your care home are:

• Easter egg painting
• Easter bonnet crafting
• Hosting a raffle, with a selection of seasonal prizes
• Organising a tea party for residents’ families
• Card making, using dried flowers and tissue paper.

The decorative results can also be displayed around the care home. This will help residents feel included and proud to be part of the care community, and give a great impression to visitors and inspectors alike.

For individual, expert advice on getting your care home ready for spring, then book a free 15-minute 121 with us.