Transitioning to Different Levels of Care
Whether your loved one has a specific health condition or needs a bit of support to remain as independent as possible, their care needs will evolve. That is why flexibility is key in care home care plans, as it ensures your loved one receives the right level of care for their needs without stifling their independence.
This is why bespoke care plans are put in place and reviewed at regular intervals. It allows care staff and family members to discuss the care being provided and changes that may be needed.
At Primrose Lodge Weymouth, we offer long-term residential care and respite care that develops as your loved ones needs change. We know everyone’s care journeys are different, which is why personalised care plans are created before your loved one joins our home. These are built on the knowledge that these needs will change, with the approach based on a seamless and easy transition between different care levels.
In this blog, we discuss how we accommodate changes in care with compassion while prioritising dignity, comfort and continuity of care.
Smooth Transition Process
Primrose Lodge Weymouth is a residential care home, as opposed to a nursing home, meaning our care focuses on helping your loved one with day-to-day care.
As your loved one ages, their needs will change, often meaning they need more assistance with daily tasks and personal hygiene.
We aim to create a seamless transition of care, implementing the additional support without creating a fuss.
All too often, adding extra care to a care plan can make a resident feel like they are losing their independence and control. So, our approach is to empower your loved one through the care they receive.
This is achieved through open and honest communication with the care team, you and your loved one before integrating the changes into the existing care plan.
A smooth transition is also achieved through gradual implementation of changes, meaning we action a change as soon as we believe necessary, taking it one step at a time. This comes in many forms. For example, if your loved one needs help getting in the shower, we will offer assistance with that but won’t extend the support to help with washing until that is needed.
Using this approach means your loved one won’t be overwhelmed by the changes or feel out of control.
Communication
Changing your loved ones' care plan will stem from observations from our care staff.
Within the team, we foster an open communication and non-judgemental environment, encouraging each member to share things they notice and thoughts or opinions. This way, nothing goes unmissed with your loved ones' care and needs.
If a care member flags that they believe your loved one might need additional support, we will immediately communicate that with you and open a discussion with everyone involved. Your loved one is the centre of the care we provide, so they must be involved in these conversations to have their say in the care provided and how it is given.
As experienced and knowledgeable carers, we will put forward any reasoning behind the discussion, explaining why your loved one would benefit from the support but emphasising they wouldn’t be losing independence.
Of course, the change in care isn’t just actioned by a handful of carers. So, it is vital that we share the update with everyone on our staff.
All our care plans are digitised, so staff can access them at any time, from wherever. This makes it easy for us to quickly update the plans and inform the staff.
Family Involvement
One common concern we hear from family is being worried they won’t know what is going on with their loved ones' care. This often creates a feeling of distrust.
Family involvement is a big part of the care plans we put together right from the start.
We regularly review the care plans in place. You are invited to each of these review meetings so that you are in the loop and have your say in the care.
Should we feel the need for a change in the care plan between these reviews, we will arrange an additional review meeting for all those involved in the care.
It is important you get more than a throwaway comment about amendments because we know you might have further questions or invaluable comments and insights into your loved one’s life and experiences that are likely to determine personal preferences.
We find making sure you are included in care plan reviews and regular catch-ups when you are visiting puts any worries at bay so you can simply enjoy your time with your loved one.
Benefits of Primrose Lodge’s Approach
Primrose Lodge Weymouth is a popular choice for residential care in Weymouth because of our commitment to compassionate care and independence, no matter what your loved ones' needs are.
We have a unique approach to changing care plans, which facilitates a smooth transition between the different levels of care and provides many benefits.
Benefits for your loved one:
- Consistent and high-quality care
- Reduced stress and discomfort
- Decreased anxiety with gradual increases in support
- They feel secure and valued
- Prevents accidents or serious illness
- Stronger bonds with staff
- Feel respected and independent
Benefits for you:
- Emotional stability and confidence
- Peace of mind that your loved one is safe and happy
- You are able to develop long-term relationships with us, which fosters trust and collaboration
Embrace Change at Primrose Lodge Weymouth
Whether your loved one is moving into a care home soon or they have been there a while and are settled in, when change is needed, it can be unsettling for both of you. However, this doesn’t have to be the case, and at Primrose Lodge Weymouth, we try our hardest to make sure it isn’t.
With crystal clear communication that is constant and gradual changes, we make developing care needs easy to deal with.
We pride ourselves on providing the right care at the right time, which is why we create bespoke care plans that are regularly reviewed. Keeping you involved in these meetings ensures we can eradicate any worry or concern you might be feeling over the type and level of care your loved one is receiving.
Your loved one has their say every step of the way, making sure we provide care in a way they are comfortable with, ensuring they stay independent for as long as possible.
If you want to learn more about how we deal with changing care plans, we recommend you visit our care home. On your visit, you will be able to see our rooms and facilities, join in any activities, and speak to our staff about care plans, changing care needs and ask any questions you might have.
Call us on 01305 786568 or complete our online contact form today.