For the fifth year in a row, care homes across Scotland and the rest of the UK are encouraging their local communities to join them for a day of celebration.
Care Home Open Day takes place on Friday 16th June this year and is growing in popularity as more and more care homes realise the importance of developing lasting relationships with their local communities and dispelling myths by showcasing what good care homes look like.
The day reinforces the fantastic work being done in care homes across the UK and helps to highlight that care homes are doing great things 365 days a year!
Last year over 150 care homes took part across Scotland and this year is set to be even bigger. A significant number of politicians have already committed to visiting care homes in their constituencies.
Care Home Open Day is taking place during the first ever Care Home Week in Scotland, co-ordinated by Scottish Care. From 12-19 June 2017, Care Home Week is an opportunity to celebrate all aspects of life and work in a care home.
Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care who represent independent sector care homes, said:
“Creating more links between care homes and their local communities is so important. That’s why Scottish Care, the Care Inspectorate and the other representative bodies from across the UK are supporting Care Home Open Day again this year. I’m sure it will be a great day.”
“It is a great opportunity to celebrate the fantastic care carried out in local communities and the contribution that is made to the lives of so many people and their families, as well as to redress the negative perceptions people often have of care homes.
“We have encouraged all care homes to take part to showcase what they do day-in and day-out, and invite their local communities to visit. After all, there are more people living in care homes than in hospital any night of the year and therefore these services and their residents should be considered as central parts of their local communities.”
Karen Reid, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate said:
“Care homes play a vital role supporting people across Scotland and we are delighted to support Care Home Open Day. I hope it is a great success.
“We expect residents in care homes to be supported to be involved and active in their local community, where that is what they want, so this is a really important day.
“Everyone in Scotland has the right to safe, compassionate, high-quality care which meets their needs and respects their rights. The new health and social care standards published just a few days ago really help to reinforce this.
“Our regular inspections show that most care homes in Scotland perform well, but we do work closely to support improvement where that is needed. We recognise and share excellent practice across the sector whenever we find it. We will continue to champion good practice, working with residents, carers, staff and other people involved in care.”
To find out which care homes are taking part in your area, simply visit www.carehomeopenday.org.uk and search via postcode, town or care home name.
For more details on Care Home Week 17 please visit: www.scottishcare.org/care-home-week/
