A clinical nurse specialist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech & language therapist and a small ‘activities team’ worked for about two years in a number of care homes in the Glasgow area in order to gain an understanding of the problems experienced by residents, staff and managers and to work with them to establish and evaluate improved models of practice.
This was a unique and we think valuable ‘experiment’ and some of the findings are described in the reports below.

Some reports from other sources are also included.

This report summarises the main problems that the team found in care homes, and what was done to try to resolve them.

The Main Problems in Care Homes at Present

These three reports provide evidence of the need for activity (meaningful things to do as well as exercise), explain how important it is to be able to live life to full potential, and give a guide for good practice that should be accepted as a standard by care home owners, managers and the Care Commission.

The Importance of Activity For Older People

Achieving Potential

Good Practice Guide

Up to 10% of care home residents are aged 65 years or younger, and many of these are in their 20s and 30s. Unlike older residents they often have many years to live, but they are often treated in the same way as older people. The needs of younger care home residents are however quite distinct, and the four reports in this section describe these differences. Two of these relate specifically to residents with brain injury: acquired brain injury or abi (caused by an accident, stroke or brain tumour for example) and alcohol-related brain injury.

YPD Adults in Care Homes Introduction

Younger 'physically' disabled adults in Care Homes

Young Adults with Acquired Brain Injury in Nursing Homes in Glasgow

Rehabilitation For People With Alcohol-Related Brain Damage: A Window of Lost Opportunity

The needs of care home staff are much neglected, but if they are not valued and motivated the care of residents will suffer. Two of the reports in this section discuss the importance of providing a learning environment in care homes and of ensuring that all staff are given the respect and status due to them. The third report provides suggestions for staff themselves: to understand the very important and worthwhile nature of their job, and how they can achieve the best for residents and themselves.

Learning Opportunities For Care Home Staff

The Status of Staff Working In Care Homes

Pointers For People Working In Care Homes