Remaining independent whilst in a care home

April 26, 2011 - PRLog -- For many people, making the decision to move into a care home can be a really difficult one to make.

There are concerns over moving out of a family home or the worry of becoming a burden to others.

But the biggest concern they have appears to be regarding their loss of independence. Care homes have an unfair stigma relating to independence, with many thinking once they move into a residential home, they won’t have the freedom to live as they have been doing for years previously.

However, with the stricter regulations on the laws governing residential homes, more time has been spent on making sure the residents keep their independence.

Residents now move into purpose built homes, designed around their needs. There are activity centres for patients to keep fit and active throughout the day and staff organise trips to the theatre or cinema to enhance their social skills outside of the residential home.

In October 2010, a new law was passed making each residential home in England responsible for meeting new standards of safety and quality.

Residents can be expected to be told every step of the way about their care and it gives them a chance to have a voice over their issues of dependency. Opportunities now have to be given to encourage, support and promote independence.

Under the new law, personal needs will also be assessed to make sure the care is right for the resident – overall making moving into a care home an easier decision to make, without the threat to quality of life.

Residents are encouraged to bring their own possessions with them to personalise their surroundings within the care home and family and friends are able to help make the whole process easier to handle. It need not be thought of as a daunting prospect but rather an enjoyable way to spend life, fully independent, with the opportunity to meet new friends and embrace new activities.


Healthcare Homes, who manage 23 residential homes in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk and Bedfordshire aim to help their residents as much as possible.

Chief Executive Richard Clough said: “Our patients feel very comfortable within our homes and knowing they have their own private space is important to them. They are also able to interact with other people living there so it gives them a sense of independence and an active social life.”

Residential homes, Cambridgeshire-based The Hillings, Home Close and Home Meadow are three homes owned by Healthcare Homes.

The Hillings, a purpose-built residential home in Cambridgeshire, regularly assess each resident to make sure they are happy and their needs are being met. Home Meadow, another one of Healthcare Homes’ residential homes in Cambridgeshire has in-house facilities to make residents feel as comfortable as possible and Home Close’s activity centre allows residents and patients to feel valued and treated with dignity.

Healthcare Homes likes all its residents to feel comfortable in their home from home.

For more information about Residential Homes in Cambridgeshire visit http://www.healthcarehomes.co.uk/index.php?page=homes-camb

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