Those who are important in people’s personal lives – their partners, carers, family members and friends – should remain important when they move into a care home. They are vital to the residents’ wellbeing and safety. The sustained and accepted involvement of families and carers is one of their best protections against abuse and neglect.
- Staff are trained to be comfortable with the presence of families and friends in the home and to work with them as partners.
- Staff make full use of technology to promote contact with friends and family: mobile phones, Skype, and the web (Person Centred Software)
- Families and friends are our allies in ensuring that the details of a person’s history, strengths and preferences are respected in the home.
- Families and friends are able to support staff in coping with aspects of the person’s condition or behaviour which would otherwise be misunderstood.