Films Set To Prompt Care Home Conversation
Two online films have been released featuring residents, relatives and team members talking about their personal experiences of care homes.
Commissioned by Hampshire-based Colten Care and made in partnership with external contributors, the films are designed to look at the role of a care home from different points of view and provide balanced information for community groups and individuals.
Under discussion are many of the issues that are important when choosing a home from the initial response to an enquiry through to the daily activities programmes, quality of personal interaction, and standards of food and drink.
“The films are an impartial insight into the role of a care home within the lives of families and individuals,” said Colten Care’s Marketing Director Tim Wookey. “We want viewers to hear the voices and see the faces of those who know care homes. The aim is to provide meaningful, community-focused information and a starting point for people to share and discuss what they think. The films help to provide some objective guidance on what good care looks like and what to look for in choosing a home. They show that moving into a home, however worrying and overwhelming that decision may seem at first, can be the opening of a new chapter full of contentment and happiness.”
The films, one about general care and the other specifically on dementia care, are being distributed online and as DVDs over the summer.
They have been produced with input from care industry experts at Age Concern, Bournemouth University and the Alzheimer’s Society.
Mr Wookey added: “Some people still have misconceptions about care homes so we want to help dispel any myths while providing quality, credible materials on which to base discussions. We hope the films will be of interest to community, charity and voluntary groups as well as individuals who may be in need of reassurance about the choice of a care home for a loved one. We chose film rather than a leaflet or other written format because sometimes it is just better to watch and listen to people directly. It’s more immediate and engaging. I want to say a huge thank-you to all those who have taken part.”
The film about general care is titled ‘The role of residential and nursing homes’ while the one focusing on dementia care is named ‘The role of care homes dedicated to caring for people living with dementia and memory loss’.
Both may be viewed on Colten Care’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/coltencare
