Care Home Open Week will soon be upon us and is your opportunity to shine a spotlight on your care home. It’s a national initiative led by Championing Social Care that encourages care homes to open their doors and link with the wider community. Championing Social Care are determined to enrich the lives of service users by connecting communities and encourages you to register here to take part.

The Open Week also presents a unique opportunity to not only engage with your community but also demonstrate your commitment to the quality care standards set out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and showcasing how you provide excellent care and as an excellent place to work.

As part of this blog, we have touched on some pointers that should not only will help you align your Open Week efforts with the CQC’s Quality Statements by showcasing your dedication to providing high-quality, person-centred care but should also help to get ready for meeting with your community!

Creating a Welcoming Home from First Glance

• Kerb Appeal That Charms: First impressions count. Ensure your grounds are well-kept, with tidy flower beds and mowed lawns. Signage should be clear and welcoming, and the entranceway spotless. A well-maintained exterior reflects the warmth and care found inside; and aligns with the focus on a safe, clean, well-maintained, and comfortable environment.

• Interior Design That Feels Like Home: Foster a warm and inviting atmosphere. Consider natural light, soothing colours, and comfortable furniture arrangements. A fresh coat of paint or subtle updates can do wonders to revitalise your space. Ensure there are clean clutter free common areas to welcome guests and spaces are clean and well equipped. A warm and inviting atmosphere reflects emphasis on creating a home that is reflective of people’s own homes and is comfortable and easy to live in.

• Resident Spaces That Tell a Story: Encourage residents to personalise their rooms with photos, artwork, and treasured possessions. Offering choices in décor and soft furnishings fosters a sense of ownership and individuality that will resonate with visitors. Personalisation empowers residents and aligns with promoting choice and control.

• The Essential Upkeep Checklist: Everything should be in good working order. Address any repairs, inspect safety features, and test all equipment. A well-maintained home shows your commitment to resident safety and well-being.

Diligent maintenance demonstrates your commitment to providing a safe and well-maintained environment.

Why a Welcoming Environment is Key to Success…

• Showcasing Your Dedication: Open Week allows you and your staff to visually demonstrate your commitment to treating people with kindness, compassion, dignity, and respect, as well as providing care and support that is tailored to individual needs and preferences. A welcoming atmosphere reflects your commitment to quality care and resident autonomy.
• Boosting Resident Satisfaction: A beautiful and functional environment with plenty of things to do contributes significantly to residents’ happiness and overall well-being. A variety of inclusive and engaging events and activities planned shows dedication to peoples mental wellbeing as well as physical.
• Fostering Community Engagement: A welcoming home is a vibrant hub for Open Week events and activities. Collaboration with local organisations or businesses to enhance offerings. Invitations extended to local community groups.

Engaging Your Community

Your home is the setting for building connections so utilise the space you have to engage the community further.

• Summer Fete: Make the most of your outdoor spaces with a festive gathering featuring live music, food, and activities for all ages.
• This event can highlight opportunities for residents to lead full and active lives while fostering social interaction and building relationships.
• Art Showcase: Display artwork created by residents, offering a window into their creativity and skills. This demonstrates opportunities for creative expression and engagement while recognising and respecting individual interests and choices.
• Resident-Guided Tours: Empower residents to lead tours of their favourite spaces, sharing personal stories and insights. Empowering residents as tour guides demonstrates a commitment to involving them in decisions about their care and support, as well as valuing their perspectives and opinions.

Care Home Open Week is your opportunity to make a lasting impression and showcase your dedication to person-centred care. By aligning your efforts with the quality standards and embracing community engagement which prioritises resident involvement, you’ll attract new residents and strengthen your reputation as a leading provider of high-quality care.

Care 4 Quality is committed to supporting services to raise care standards across the UK and we understand the meticulous preparation that is crucial to showcase the heart of your care home and demonstrate a positive experience for everyone involved.

If you’d like any further support showcasing your service or ensuring you meet current CQC standards, please contact us on 08083 037626 or email [email protected]

Let’s make Care Home Open Week 2024 a celebration of exceptional care!