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The Importance of Community Engagement for Care Home Residents

At Lee Mount, we understand the profound impact of staying connected with the community on our residents' well-being. A few years ago, a survey revealed that many of our residents missed engaging in everyday activities such as shopping, visiting cafes, attending church, going to the library, watching movies at the cinema, and even simple tasks like posting a letter. This insight prompted us to rethink our approach to community engagement and develop strategies to help our residents maintain these connections.

The Challenge of Maintaining Everyday Activities

When individuals move into care homes, they often stop participating in the activities they once enjoyed by 80-90%. This significant reduction in engagement can be attributed to various factors, including the transition to a new living environment, the need for increased care, and logistical challenges related to outings. Activities like cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and going out become less frequent, impacting their overall quality of life.

Recognising this issue, we were determined to find ways to help our residents continue to engage in the community. However, this is not as simple as it sounds. There are numerous challenges, such as managing a busy care home environment, ensuring adequate staffing, arranging transportation, conducting safety and risk assessments, and more.

Developing a Routine for Community Engagement

Over time, we have developed a robust routine to facilitate community outings. We now have two dedicated activities coordinators, one of whom focuses specifically on organising community trips. This dedicated approach ensures we can provide consistent and meaningful opportunities for our residents to engage with the community.

We have also signed up all our residents for the Access Bus service, which has significantly helped with transportation costs. This service is invaluable in making outings more accessible and affordable.

To ensure fairness and safety, we tailor our outings to meet the individual needs of our residents. Those who require more support or have higher mobility challenges are often taken out one-to-one. This personalised approach allows us to cater to each resident's needs, ensuring they can safely enjoy their time out.

The Positive Impact of Community Trips

The benefits of our community trips are now becoming increasingly evident. Our residents are building meaningful links within the community and becoming familiar faces at local businesses and events. The local community and businesses have been incredibly supportive, welcoming our residents and helping them feel included.

We have observed a significant positive impact on our residents' general well-being. Regular outings have boosted their spirits, provided a sense of purpose, and allowed them to maintain independence. The joy and satisfaction derived from these activities are immeasurable.

Our commitment to being person-centred in our approach is highlighted by our efforts to tailor outings to individual interests. For instance, one of our residents, a devoted fan of the band Status Quo, is set to attend a surprise concert at the Piece Hall in town. We are all very excited about this personalised outing and showcasing our dedication to making our residents' dreams come true.

Building Strong Community Links

Engaging with the community goes beyond just providing outings. It helps our residents feel valued and connected, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. The relationships formed with local community members and businesses enrich our residents' lives and foster a sense of belonging.

We encourage other care homes to consider the benefits of facilitating community engagement for their residents. While there are challenges to overcome, the rewards are well worth the effort. The positive impact on residents' well-being, the strengthened community ties, and the joy of seeing residents thrive make it a truly worthwhile endeavour.

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