Care home staff have taken on a lot over the past few years. The pandemic has meant that they have had to up their level of care and be open to constant change, here we look at what has changed and why, and how this might change the care home industry in the future.
What’s Changed
The constant fluctuation of regulations and rules has meant care home staff have had to remain moldable and ready to jump when the government asks them to. They are also being trained in a higher number of more specialized roles and expected to be proficient in these roles. Many members of staff have had to step up and take on far more complicated jobs when their managers and specialized staff have had to stay home and self-isolate. Care home staff have had to deal with worried residents and stressed relatives and be akin to family to the residents who did not get the chance to see theirs.
Some care home staff have had to sleepover in the homes for weeks or even months at a time, which has put a massive strain on their personal lives. This is something that clearly cannot go on into the future.
Care homes themselves have been operating on a lot less staff than usual. This cuts the amount of money they have to spend on wages, so they could buy more specialized equipment and entertainment devices. But is this really what is best for the residents?
Look to the Future
In the future, people will live longer and have more long-term illnesses that need attention due to this. Care homes need to be ready for this change and adapt to suit it. This care home in Waltham abbey is at the forefront of change.
They have highly trained staff members and a repertoire of care facilities. They specialize in dementia care and also offer daycare and respite care. This is a nod towards the future. Care homes are making way for new ideas and ways to stop them from becoming too crowded.
Now there are more specialized staff in care homes across the country, the level of care and attention is set to increase. There will be a tougher training regime, and, fingers crossed, care homeowners will provide a higher pay bracket for their staff. Now that they are expected to do so much extra work, the pay should represent this.
With new technologies like the specially designed Tovertafel table becoming more common, our understanding of older age mental illnesses increases and so does the level of care we are able to provide for out respected elderly people.
We can expect the industry to be busy and overcrowded in the future unless our care homes use what they have learned in this pandemic to create a more open system and an educated, well-trained workforce.
