What Is A Care Plan?
Once you’ve chosen a care home (hopefully Birchwood House!) for your loved one (or yourself), the next step is to create a personalised care plan. But what is it – and why is it needed?
A care plan is essentially a written statement of the individual’s needs, preferences and wishes, wrapped up in a proactive, personalised plan. Following a full assessment, the plan is created using a combination of observation and knowledge of each resident which can then be used to improve the quality of their life – and is crucial when identifying and responding quickly to any changes. It will include the necessary medical information, but it goes beyond their health needs; it also takes into account their life history, culture, religion, interests, and so on. Where possible, we involve the family (or close friends) so that we have as full a picture as possible of the individual to ensure their health and happiness at their time here at Birchwood House.
A good care plan should include regular reviews and up-to-date, easy to access records help staff to have the right information at their fingertips. It’s a 2-way form of communication and, as a working document, it’s updated to reflect any changes – especially useful in a residential care environment where the individual may be cared for day-to-day by a team, rather than by one individual carer.
A care plan can help give confidence to staff by giving them the right knowledge, reduce accidents and increase the quality of life for residents. The team at Birchwood House takes our care plans very seriously; as well as it being a legal requirement, it’s also important that every resident feels that they are being listened to and that their unique needs are being met, as summed up in these testimonials from some of our residents’ family members:
“Thank you for mother’s care plan – very perceptive of mothers’ needs and of course well implemented on a daily basis. Forever grateful.”
“Mother’s care plan is very comprehensive and everything is done to make her comfortable. We would like to thank the staff for all their care and understanding.”
To find out more about our care plans, get in touch with one of team, who would be happy to have a chat.
Other articles you may like
- Gentle exercises for older adults
When we get older, finding ways to move our body can get harder. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible! Using low-impact, gentle exercise is a great way to stay active without putting too much strain on ourselves. Regular movement is important for a number of reasons, not to mention the physical and mental health benefits. A recent report by Care England even showed that regular physical activity is improving the health, confidence, and wellbeing of residents in care homes, and could even deliver savings of up to £96 million to the NHS. - Mediterranean Roasted Chicken Breasts
This is a dish packed with flavour and spice. The chicken is filled with amino acids to support muscle growth and brain function, whilst the vegetables are rich in fibre and antioxidants. Both warming and filling, we’ve taken inspiration from The Cafe Sucre Farine to make this healthy, easy dinner. - How did our residents celebrate National Baking Week?
Happy National Baking Week! From Monday (October 13th) to Sunday (October 19th), we’re celebrating the joy and benefits of baking. Because, as you may have already seen on our Facebook, baking is a firm favourite at Birchwood House. Whether it’s sweet treats or savoury goods, we make sure baking is a regular activity. There are always recipes to try, techniques to learn, and opportunities to discover something new. - Baked Salmon and Creamy Chive Sauce
This baked salmon is perfect for our residents, filled with omega-3 fatty acids that support heart health and brain function. We were inspired by HelloFresh to pair it with a creamy chive sauce, which went down a treat! - How we use colour in a care home
Colour in a care home affects residents more than we think. It has a direct impact on how we view our environment, which then influences our emotions and wellbeing. And this is especially true for older adults, as colour can help our residents better move around the home, and better distinguish the objects around them. - Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Pineapple Upside Down Cake Pineapple upside down cake has been around since the 1920s, and its tangy flavour hasContinue reading “Pineapple Upside Down Cake” - Birchwood House review: thoughts from the community
Birchwood House review: thoughts from the community This month, Birchwood House completed the Quality Assurance Questionnaire, a survey forContinue reading “Birchwood House review: thoughts from the community” - Tomato & Basil Tart
Tomato & Basil Tart Appetites tend to decrease in the summer, so it’s important to have meals that canContinue reading “Tomato & Basil Tart” - Sensory Stimulation
Sensory Stimulation What activities do our residents like? Sensory stimulation is essential for older people, with many activities enhancingContinue reading “Sensory Stimulation”
