Strong 'family' bonds between care home staff and residents are key to providing excellent, personalised care

A study by Professor Karen Spilsbury and her team at the University of Leeds, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, shows something many of us in the care sector have suspected. 

Here are the main points...

1. Staff stability and consistency - When staff have secure jobs and regular schedules, they can build close relationships with residents, which improves the quality of care.

2. Empowering staff - Letting care staff make decisions and lead is important for building these relationships.

3. Importance of stable management - Homes with a consistent management team for at least a year tend to get higher ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

4. Optimal staff-to-bed ratios and experience - Having more staff per resident, especially experienced ones, usually leads to better care quality.

5. Nursing care and cost-effectiveness - Having more nurses can reduce problems like falls and infections, but it might be expensive.

6. Focus on team size, not home size - The quality of care depends more on the size and makeup of the team than the size of the home. Smaller teams create a more family-like atmosphere, which is good for residents.

7. Use of agency nurses - Hiring agency nurses to fill gaps generally keeps care quality up, though there might be more medication errors.

The study highlights that the culture and personal connections within care home teams are vital for effective, person-centered care.

It emphasises the need for a stable, skilled, and caring workforce under consistent and visionary leadership, along with a shared philosophy of care, to truly improve the lives of care home residents.

Now, the important question is - how do we put this knowledge into practice?