Visiting Your Loved Ones In Their Care Home
Before your loved one moved into a care home, you may have visited them often, taken them on days out and enjoyed family meals together – this doesn’t have to change!
Care Home Visiting Guidance
If you are planning to visit a loved one in an Oakland Care Home but are unsure how to plan your visit, we’ve put together some suggestions and guidance.
What are the rules about visiting relatives in care homes?
At Oakland Care, we know how important it is for residents and loved ones to stay connected. We welcome visitors to all of our homes; you can even take part in the daily activities like arts and crafts, gardening, knitting and life drawing.
There are no specific days or times to visit; family and friends are welcome to visit whenever you like. It is recommended to avoid busy intervals for the staff, such as early mornings, mealtimes and late evenings. The ideal period to visit is between 10am and 8pm as during this time residents will be up, dressed and ready for their day.
If you would like to join in with resident activities, you can get in touch to find out what’s happening in the home that week and to arrange your visit.
How often should you visit a relative in a care home?
You can visit as often as you like!
We arrange group outings regularly, so it may be worth checking with your loved one and staff to ensure they will be at the home when you wish to visit.
The home’s bistro is available for residents and families to use. This is a communal area that allows you to share mealtimes. There are also dedicated private dining rooms in some homes which can be hired to cater to small gatherings for special occasions – like birthday parties or anniversaries.
Friends and families are advised to keep groups of visitors to four adults and some children. This allows plenty of space in communal areas for a few residents’ families to visit at the same time.
Can care home residents go out with family?
While there are plenty of activities to do with residents in our care, it’s always nice for them to be able to spend time away from the home with family and friends. You are welcome to spend time with your loved one outside of the home, taking them on a day out – this could be anything from a trip to the shops or a family event.
As long as you make staff aware and organise it in advance, you can even take your loved one out overnight. You must carry a copy of DNAR and any medication required out on the visit, just in case anything happens.
What if the family can’t visit?
We know that residents’ family and friends may live further afield and find it hard to visit in person often. We provide iPads and laptops to help you stay in touch with a FaceTime or Skype video call – they’re a quick and easy way to stay in contact. Even a simple phone call to say hello and have a chat now and again can put a smile on a resident’s face.
If you would like to arrange a visit with your loved one, or for more information on visiting, please get in touch. One of our friendly staff will be happy to help, call 020 3019 3939 or email [email protected].