Common Care Home Myths Debunked

While care homes occasionally garner negative attention in the press, it is critical not to believe all you read. For every negative story, countless positive and heartwarming tales often go untold. Author and registered manager Liam Palmer drinks several common care home myths in a compelling article, which inspired us to continue the discussion and address these myths in the context of Field House care home in Stourbridge to see some common care home myths debunked.

Myth 1 – Relatives put their loved ones into a care home because they don’t care for them

In our experience, this is rarely the case. Typically, family members move a loved one into a care home with the view of giving them a better quality of life. Usually, residential care is sought because there is a significant risk to the health or well-being of a person by continuing to live at home. We see time and time again that the decision isn’t taken lightly and our professional and caring team provides expert support and guidance for family members at every step of the process.

We aim to make our residents feel truly at home and encourage family members to visit whenever they are able to thanks to our unrestricted visiting hours. We ensure residents are able to participate in family life and celebrations by accommodating occasions such as family parties or picnics in the garden. We also support family and friends by giving them the opportunity to take residents out for the day to spend quality time with them in a different setting.

Myth 2 – Mental and physical health declines when people go into care homes

At Field House Care Home in Stourbridge, we actively aim to improve residents’ mobility and social skills through a range of stimulating activities, such as singing, games, crafts, visiting entertainers, and trips to local attractions. We understand that nutrition is a very important factor when it comes to general health and well-being, and believe that all our residents should be eating, comforting, delicious, and nutritious food to support a healthy diet.

We encourage our residents to look after themselves well, stay hydrated and make healthy choices. This positive approach to health and well-being, combined with standardised medication times and close links with healthcare specialists means that we often see a resident’s health improve when they come into our care.

Myth 3 – Care home operators are driven by greed and put profit before the well-being of residents

Field House care home in Stourbridge is a family-owned and run care home, and we strive to provide unrivaled care for every resident tailored to their individual needs. We are passionate about delivering exceptional standards of care and ensuring residents are content and thriving at all times, giving them a safe, loving, and nurturing home for life. As a team, we want the best for each resident in our care, and their well-being always comes first.

We are in the care industry simply because we care.

Myth 4 – Care home fees are unrealistically expensive

When it comes to fees, we aim to be as transparent and helpful as possible. We understand that paying for care isn’t easy and recognise that financial situations can change quickly and often without much warning. We are very open about our fees and you can view them all here!

Our fees are calculated based on two factors; accommodation costs and the cost of care. Accommodation costs relate to the size of the room and the facilities and also include furniture, linen and towels, heat, light and power, cleaning and laundry, meals, unlimited drinks, and maintenance of the property and gardens. The cost of care is calculated on a case-by-case basis relating to the specific personal needs of an individual resident.

Myth 5 – All older people are kind and patient

In our experience, this is often true! However, there are times that a resident may have an underlying health condition or trigger that they may or may not be aware of, which results in undesirable or even aggressive actions.

At Field House Care Home in Stourbridge, we specialise in long-term dementia and Alzheimer’s care so we understand the challenges that these medical conditions can bring and the effects that they can have on both our residents and their loved ones.

We pride ourselves on working closely with the families of our residents, health professionals, and specialists in the community to create detailed personal care plans that meet the complex individual requirements of a resident, in order to create a safe and secure environment. Our highly trained team is experienced and professional, always offering love and compassion in order to care for a resident in a way that best suits them.

We hope we have answered any questions and gotten some myths debunked. If you have any questions, then please feel free to contact us on 01562 885211.