Three Things People Miss When Moving to Care Homes

Finding Home Again: Understanding Life's Next Chapter

The journey to a care home is a chapter that brings fresh perspectives on daily life, teaching us how to blend cherished routines with new possibilities.

Three key elements - maintaining social connections without sacrificing independence, preserving personal privacy, and retaining control over daily choices - form the foundation of a truly resident-centered care environment.

1. Staying Independent While Making Friends

Older adults value two things highly: maintaining their independence and keeping in touch with others. Instead of joining activities labeled as "social groups," people prefer getting together with others who share their interests.

Think about it like joining any club - it's easier to make friends when you're doing something you enjoy while taking care of yourself. Whether it's exercise classes, gardening groups, or craft circles, these shared activities let people stay active and social at the same time.

2. Keeping Some Things Private

Just like at home, people want control over their personal matters. Older adults know about available support services but prefer handling things their own way rather than being singled out as needing help. It's about finding the right balance between getting support and maintaining privacy.

This shows up in everyday situations like:

• Managing personal routines
• Choosing when to join activities
• Keeping favorite items handy
• Deciding when to socialize
• Taking care of daily needs

3. Having a Say in Daily Life

People want to be involved in decisions in different ways. Some prefer making choices on their own, while others like discussing options with family or staff members. There's no single right approach - what matters is letting each person choose how they want to handle things.

Daily choices might include:

• When to have meals and snacks
• Which activities to join
• How to arrange their personal space
• When to have visitors
• Managing daily schedules

How Dometic Helps Maintain Control in Daily Life

Regular weekly activities and personal independence work together. Small touches in room setup can make a big difference in helping people maintain their usual routines while feeling comfortable in their new home.

Dometic can help facilities with unique Room Setup Options:

• Built-in fridges that blend with bedroom furniture
• Quiet mini fridges designed for bedrooms
• Small medical refrigerators
• Energy efficient small fridges to keep costs down
• Silent refrigeration that won't disturb sleep

When choosing room equipment, it's important to think about:

• How quiet it runs (especially for bedroom use)
• Energy efficiency and running costs
• Easy access for residents
• Safe installation options
• How well it fits the space

For example, solutions like the HiPro Care silent mini fridge can help residents keep their favorite meal and drinks close by. These quiet mini fridges for bedrooms are just one way to help people maintain their daily habits while respecting everyone's need for peace and quiet.

Making It Work Together

Both independence and social connections matter in care home life. What helps make this happen:

• Regular weekly activities that serve both purposes
• Equipment that helps people help themselves
• Natural ways to meet and stay in touch
• Choices about when and how to join in
• Solutions that respect privacy and independence

Whether it's installing energy efficient bar fridges or creating comfortable meeting spots, these solutions can help residents stay independent while building community. When residents can manage their daily lives and stay social in ways that feel natural to them, everyone benefits from a more home-like environment.