Encouraging residents to be independent | News

Residents living in Sussex Housing & Care's care homes are encouraged to be as independent as possible. We support their identity and encourage them to do the things they would like to do. Even when they complete the smallest of things for themselves, this can be very rewarding for their independence and boost their wellbeing.

We promote independence, choice and control within the care home to support resident's identity and encourage them to do the things they would like to do.

Independence is a simple concept, it means an individual has full choice on their own life and performing everyday activities or tasks. However, there are some challenges, as aging starts to affect an individual’s capabilities, support is needed in certain areas. One area our residents really enjoy having independence is with the house keeping.

Jade, Activities Co-ordinator at Saxonwood Care Home in Battle has beautifully captured what it means to be independent and how residents at Saxonwood are embracing the opportunities we give them.

"Joan has been assisting the kitchen staff with our food menus. Joan comes to the dining room every morning and before she has her breakfast, or sometimes afterwards, she will collect all the old menu’s, discard them and replaces the new ones for that day. Joan then places them on the tables ready for the other residents to have a look and choose their food preferences that day.

  

    

Rosemary likes to be involved with what’s happening during the week, she supports me when writing the weekly planner and proof reads it once it's finalised, just to make sure there are no mistakes. Rosemary enjoys attending most of the weekly activities. She encourages new ideas and likes to share feedback she has been given to help support me in making sure the planner is appropriate for everyone.

  

Marjorie is our keen gardener and enjoys coming up with new ideas and supporting the staff with her knowledge around plants and seasonal sowing. Here she is choosing some lovely wild plants to go into the meadow ready for spring. She enjoys colour matching and making sure they are the right flowers to complement each other, Marjorie is very specific in her designs.

     

Gail was a teacher in the local area and was always making sure everything was organised and the pupils knew exactly where they needed to be. Now Gail has been enjoying sorting through various things and helping me fold the hairdressing towels neatly, and putting them away in the cupboard ready for the next salon day.

  

  

June is a housewife and has always kept the home whilst her husband was working, now she is being cared for herself, these responsibilities have lessened. She was always looking around for jobs to be done, now she has the responsibility of cleaning the tables with the carers after meals. This is very satisfying for June."