A celebration of relationship centred care | News from Oakwood Court

Keeping residents safe and physically and mentally well during recent months has been a priority. Our care teams have gone the extra mile to overcome some of the challenges the pandemic presents and this article celebrates the dedication of our care teams and the relationship centred care we provide.

Jade, Activities Co-ordinator at Saxonwood Care Home in Battle shares her story and comments from residents…

“At Saxonwood Care Home we focus on relationship centred care. We believe that this is hugely beneficial to the quality of life for our residents.

Creating a positive environment for residents gives a sense of home. Engaging in a positive manner gives a sense of acceptance and care. Showing emotions can impact a way a person will express their own, and gives authentic mutual respect. When a resident feels significant within the home this gives a sense of belonging which is essential for an individual’s wellbeing.

Here at Saxonwood we build relationships with our residents.

Kath: “Living in a care home is a different way of living, I have a great relationship with staff members and they are extremely good to me.”

Joan: “I get on well with staff members, I feel like they really do care about me”

Our sunny moments club

Finding out residents’ likes and dislikes is a key factor in creating the right activities. Saxonwood care home has an array of activities available every day, we plan and adapt them to suit our residents and allow them to participate in any way they can, if they wish to do so.

Rosemary: “Jade has a bright and happy personality- Ideal for encouraging resident’s to join in with group activities.”

Mary: “I think we are very fortunate to have the activities we do, there is lots of variety to suit all.”

Sheila: “Always something to join in with if I want to.”

Vera: “I like the fact there is always something to do if I wish but also there is always books, puzzles and mind puzzles books available for me to find and use in my own time as well.”

When a resident is unable to participate in activities we make sure that they have some one on one time. We find out their hobbies, past and present, and implement bespoke activities. This is a key aspect of care, being able to promote and encourage others to do what is meaningful to them and adapting that to suit their needs. These activities can range from colouring to reading, or even a little aromatherapy - the options are endless. Aromatherapy has been a great success for some, really allowing them to relax and feel tranquil.

Rosemary: “If working on a one to one basis, Jade gives you confidence and a ready to go attitude to be able to enjoy the experience.”

Building our community

With a focus on the people, and not on the task, we create the right caring environment. We involve residents in every aspect of their wellbeing. We feel that all of these combined are hugely beneficial to our residents at Saxonwood. Before the pandemic we highly encouraged families into the home and to interact in activities if they wish to do so.

At present ours doors are still closed to our residents families and the community they know and love. This has isolated our residents, they have spoken about how much they want to hug their children, friends and pets. We have adapted space within the home to create a pod, this is a room for our residents to sit in and their friends or relatives to sit outside, and talk through the intercom either side of the window. We are putting in place a summer house so that families can meet in all weathers.

Sheila: “Quite happy with my friends being able to come and talk to me, it has been great catching up and I loved them telling me about everything going on within my community back in my home town.”

Vera: “When my daughter and her friend came to visit, it made me feel very good, was nice to see my daughter face to face, this gave me the reassurance that she has been keeping her spirits up.”

Mary: “In these circumstances it is very good and beneficial to have this interaction and face to face communication.”

Joan: “I haven’t seen my son in over a year, I wasn’t able to see him on my birthday back in April like I would usually due to Covid 19 as he lives away, but today I was able to see him and have a wonderful morning.”

Keeping in touch

We as care providers, whatever our role, want to ensure our residents feel safe and have as much interaction as they possibly can. We have created a private group on social media so that our residents’ family and friends can see them daily, be reassured that no matter what has been happening on the outside, that their loved ones have been cared for in the best possible way. The day to day lives within the home are structured to be as normal for residents as possible and we have created activities that are above and beyond the usual planner.

Vera: “My daughter has a positive mind set on the relatives group, she is always commenting and enjoys looking at all the posts that are put on. She likes to know I am okay and enjoys commenting and feeling like she is involved too.”

Saxonwood is our resident’s home, this is why we know that to be able to access the community is essential for them, some have lived in this area for years. To be able to still regularly attend their local church or head down the high street for some shopping and a coffee really benefits residents and helps them feel that they are still apart of the community. As a result of the pandemic these one to one activities have not been able to go ahead. But, our residents have been reassured that they have not been forgotten.

Kind donations

Local businesses and neighbours have donated products, sent letters and paintings to show our residents that they are missed. We have had flowers and gifts through the doors for residents as a reminder that they are still a part of this community. We have various entertainers providing amazing entertainment either by singing on the patio at a safe distance, or through electronic technology so they can be seen on the big screen.

Mary: “It has been sad not be able to go out and see others but during this time I feel that I am safe and fortunate to be where I am.”

Linking in with other services

Saxonwood management, senior carers and staff have worked together to make sure that the relationship between residents and health professionals has been maintained. GP’s have been in regular contact, through video calls, telephone consultations and hospital visits as and when needed. Other professionals such as podiatrists, district nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists have been given access when appropriate. Social workers have kept in contact via video chats and staff members have made sure there is a quiet space to talk and technology is available.

Joan: “I have had to visit the hospital regularly due to my declining eye health, and when I couldn’t I had telephone consultations which really put me at ease. I enjoyed staying in contact with my consultant. When I was able to go physically to the hospital I felt at ease and safe.”

As a whole we bring a sense of community at Saxonwood. The relationships between residents and staff have grown and blossomed, and we strive to provide the best quality of life for all of our residents.