Care home operators are striving to go that extra mile in providing beautiful and functional care facilities. For Home Managers, managing the upheaval of a refurbishment in a sensitive and practical way is essential to the smooth running of their home.

At such a potentially difficult time for residents, Meridian Healthcare Home Manager Ann Dobson from Fir Trees in Dukinfield, offers advice for Home Managers looking to survive a refurbishment programme.

•Tell everyone what is happening –
It is important that all residents and their families as well as staff are informed of the changes that are going to take place and how they will be affected. You may find you have space restrictions during the works which effect how staff and residents live in the home. If you have the resources, promote the changes to existing and potential residents and focus on the key benefits.

•Involve those affected -
Involve relatives and residents in the changes. At Fir Trees once the first phase of new bedrooms had been completed, families were invited to come and view the new rooms and choose a new room for their relative.

•Be prepared for changes in the daily routine –
If dining room space is limited during the work, food may need to be served in two sittings.

•Be extra vigilant with residents –
It is essential to keep residents safety in mind at all times. Confused residents are more likely to become disorientated as work progresses. Staff must provide additional support and care during this time to ensure that confused residents do not wander into workmen only areas or become upset by the changes.

•Befriend your builders –
It is important the Site Manager or main contractor understands the needs and concerns of your residents. The workers who carried out the refurbishment at Fir Trees were extremely kind and considerate with regard to the residents and could not be faulted.

•Carry the work out in planned phases -
Work at Fir Trees was carried out in 4 phases starting with a wing of bedrooms and being completed in the lounge and reception area. This ensures that disruption is kept to a minimum and residents are able to continue with their usual routines as much as possible.

•Ensure good team spirit –
Understand that staff will be working in difficult and new circumstances and need additional support. They may be asked to carry out unusual or additional duties. Having ‘out of bounds’ areas will mean reduced working space and space for residents to relax out side their bedroom.

•Remember that it will all be worthwhile -
Since the completion of the work at Fir Trees, Ann has received praise from residents, families and social workers. All concerned are delighted with the much-needed changes! One resident commented that Fir Trees had 5-star treatment in a 5-star home.

Meridian Healthcare has recently carried out extensive refurbishment work at Greatwood House in Denton, Fir Trees, Hurst Hall, Kingsfield & Acacia Court. Fazakerley House in Prescot has just commenced building works to increase rooms and facilities and a new build on the grounds of The Connaughtons in Huyton commenced in April.

Ends.

Notes:
• Meridian Healthcare has 21 care centres throughout the North of England.
• Meridian Healthcare is committed to the provision of quality services and environments for older people in the UK. As a result of this commitment, the group has invested large sums in the maintenance and refurbishment of its purpose built care centres. Refurbishment work ranges from small scale decoration through to new builds such as White Rose House and extensions such as the 16-bed extension at Greatwood House.
• The group has received planning permission and has started work on a new care centre in the Huyton area of Knowlsey. This will provide very large bed-sitting rooms and an extremely high level of accommodation throughout.
• Meridian recently acquired Ash Court in the Liverpool area of Merseyside.

Photographs:

Ann Dobson with team at Fir Trees

Ann Dobson – our new Home Manager at Fir Trees

For further information please contact:
Tessa Matthews, Meridian Healthcare, 0161 368 9099 tmatthews@meridiancare.co.uk