CMM 14.9 Dec Jan 2017 LR

MAKING EVERY MOMENT MATTER: TAKING YOUR CLIENTS ON HOLIDAY
enough, Ewa explained, ‘We did not
>
dare
to take more. In fact, we thought it would be
very stressful and hard for the staff to manage.
It was not at all like that.’
Before the first trip, Ewa held planning and
brainstorming meetings with her activity coordinator
to plan all aspects of the trip. It was
important that the holiday continued to create
the community aspect that care homes need
in order to deliver person-centred care for the
residents, staff and families.
Planning the breaks wasn’t easy. However,
to make it happen, Ewa was willing to take
risks. She explained, ‘We learned much during
the first year, from what to pack to what to do
while we were there. Every year we get better.
This year, we packed the sunshine as well.’
MAKING THE BREAK
After that first year’s experiment, they have
progressed to a week’s holiday. To make the
breaks a reality, Ewa and her team involve
everyone, working together; not just staff, but
residents and family members too. Although
it involves careful planning, it’s worth it as the
fun and relaxation everyone experiences and
the shared activities they participate in helps
to foster deeper relationships.
Ewa continued, ‘Whilst on holiday, staff and
residents share duties, such as cooking, laying
tables and doing the dishes.
‘We ate some wonderful fresh Swedish
summer food, much of which was put under
the grill. We had wine with the food…We
planned the menus during our brainstorming
session. It was simple and different.’
The staff who accompanied the residents
included the activity co-ordinator and
home manager, along with care staff who
volunteered. The daycare manager also came
on the days her guests were there.
Following the first experiment, more able
residents slept over with five to six residents
and three staff members staying overnight at a
time. New guests then arrived every day.
THE BENEFITS OF THE BREAKS
Feedback from residents was that they enjoyed
every moment. There were even those who
didn’t want to return home after their short
break had ended, so plans were changed to
enable them to stay for the whole week.
Residents enjoyed the ability to be in
nature, to eat outside, to take a dip in the sea.
Importantly, they enjoyed being in control,
especially as everybody was living as equals in
the house and holidaying together.
Although all the residents live with
dementia, no-one experienced any specific
anxieties. There was also no observable
restlessness from being in a new situation in
unfamiliar surroundings.
For staff, they commented that there
was no stress. They were able to enjoy being
together with residents and their families,
without any sense of clock-watching or feeling
under pressure to undertake caring tasks.
They learned much about the residents in
a different way, focusing on relationships not
tasks. They felt it was easier to let the residents
do as much as they were able in a completely
new environment.
All the staff were very engaged in the
process and there were many offers of help.
They gained as much personal enjoyment from
the holiday as the residents did.
Residents’ families were happy with the
breaks too and expressed how pleased they
were about the care and support provided. It
also gave them greater insight into how much
the staff do with the residents and how they
work.
The wives of two residents also went on the
trip. Although their husbands were unable to
attend, it provided an enjoyable respite for the
women to get away without their ‘resident’
spouses.
Ultimately, it’s a joyful time for all involved.
Ewa said, ‘It’s an adventure to make a
difference. The first and last duty for us is to
make a difference for the residents.’
However, it’s not just limited to summer;
Ewa continued, ‘Now it is autumn, we enjoy
it just as much. Many residents have picked
mushrooms in the woods, and it’s lovely to
smell and polish the yellow chanterelle and
to eat them in a sandwich in the evening is
golden time’.
LEARNING BY DOING
Initially, not everyone was convinced of the
benefits of the holidays. One staff member
had been extremely sceptical, with very low
expectations of the residents’ capabilities to
participate in or enjoy the break.
However, having experienced the holiday,
she later commented on how much her
attitude had changed towards the residents.
Ewa said, ‘It has revolutionised how that
particular staff member communicates
with residents. Beyond that, it promotes
opportunities for residents and staff to share
the normal small things of everyday life
together as a means of community building
and learning. This ensures that both
experience a sense of significance, meaning
and purpose.’
CMM
PLANNING A HOME HOLIDAY,
KEY LEARNING POINTS
1. Involve everyone in planning the
details from the beginning.
2. Managers, encourage feedback on
what worked well and what processes
and practicalities could be improved
for following holidays, this enables you
to continually improve the experience
for everyone.
3. Start planning for smaller numbers
of residents initially, and build on
the successes and learning with
confidence.
4. Find everyday experiences that
everyone can join in and keep it simple.
Rosemary Hurtley MSc Dip COT FRSA is the co-developer of the 360 Standard Framework® and Chief Executive of 360 Forward Ltd and a Consultant
Occupational Therapist. Email: rosemary@360fwd.com Twitter: @360Fwd Ewa Worlen is Manager of Harakarrsgarden. Email: Eva.Worlen@burlov.se
38 CMM December 2017