While many people worry about seeking care for an ageing parent or loved one, it can be one of the most positive decisions you can make to support someone to continue living fully and well. Time and again, when we welcome a new resident into a Radius Care Home, we see many ways that their quality of life improves — physically, mentally and emotionally.

Here are just some of the benefits we can see for people who decide to come and make their home in a Radius care home.

 

Social Camaraderie and Interaction

Social isolation and loneliness is a significant issue for New Zealand’s elderly, as recent reports are highlighting. It is strongly correlated with ill health, cognitive decline, and depression, and in Aotearoa New Zealand 50% of those over 80 are lonely all or most of the time (according to Ageing Well, who share that research shows the health impacts of loneliness have been equated to smoking 15 cigarettes a day).

A care home environment provides a safe and positive place for daily companionship and social stimulation with other residents and with our warm and caring team. Our carers and nurses have close bonds with residents and get to know them well. Residents enjoy their own space when they wish for quiet time too, ensuring they have the balance they need to stay engaged.

 

 

Better Nutrition and Self Care

With carefully designed delicious and nutritionally balanced meals prepared by our on-site kitchen teams, our residents can enjoy wholesome meals morning, noon and night, without having to worry about food shopping, cooking or the dishes. Acquiring Cibus Catering this year we can now even more confidently ensure consistency and quality in food and beverage. We change our menus regularly, and offer a culture-specific menu, to make sure that varying tastes and needs are catered for; because food enjoyed is a body well-nourished.

 

Improved Hygiene and Health

With custom-designed facilities, and an experienced, supportive team on-hand, a care home provides a safe environment where residents can get help when they need it, and an easier way to manage daily hygiene tasks. Our teams also make sure medications aren’t forgotten, and any unexpected bumps, bruises or falls are avoided or swiftly taken care of. Assistance can be as much or as little as is needed, from dressing and showering, to simply delivering a warm cup of tea and having a chat.

 

Activities and Outings

Many people living alone lose motivation or the ability to keep up with activities and outings. In a care home, we make it easy to keep actively participating at a level that suits each individual. With an onsite activities manager, a custom-fitted van for excursions and a wide-ranging activity programme at every home, we make sure residents stay active, interested and engaged with life. Our care homes are active parts of their wider community too, often having visiting school children or groups, and taking residents out to participate in events and activities and continue enjoying life.

 

 

Increased Independence

Quite the opposite of what many people assume to be the case, we find many of our residents are empowered by the support provided in a rest home, and begin regaining capability and energy to stay active. Freed from the pressures of managing their home, cooking meals, or worrying about daily decisions around finances, shopping and so much more, residents can focus on socialising with other residents, pick up favoured hobbies again, and even regain or maintain mobility with the support of our daily physical activity programmes and the cognitive exercises facilitated by our teams. Read about Janice, a resident at Hawthorne, and her inspiring story of physical recovery here.

 

Cognitive Support & Stimulation

With daily pressures reduced, anxiety and stress are alleviated. Our expert carers and nurses are trained in methods to support residents in remaining active, engaged and mentally fit – and with daily contact they can observe and find ways to tailor care to each resident’s needs, meaning together we can get the level of activity just right to inspire residents to engage more deeply.

 

Quality Time With Family

When care is provided by the experts, families are freed to enjoy the time spent with their loved one, ensuring it is quality time rather than simply providing support. Some of our short-term Respite residents find that the change of scene is a life-changing experience for both the person receiving care, and their family and support network. For full-time residents, their families know they’re always welcome to come and spend time and enjoy a cuppa here and feel right at home, too.

 

 

Financial Safety

In a safe supported environment, residents have surety around ongoing costs, and can put money decisions aside for their day to day. Families can feel confident we’re looking out for residents’ best interests – with our safe location and our vigilant team ensuring they can’t be targeted by scams or exploitation via telephone, and removing issues surrounding money management or forgotten bills.

 

For higher levels of care, the reassurance of knowing your loved one is safe and being offered high quality medical care and expert support in an environment designed to cater to their needs, can relieve the weight of worry too.

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If you’ve been noticing some changes in an elderly loved one — whether it’s their mood, appearance, energy, or ability to participate in life as they used to — a little extra support could make a big difference.

We’re always here if you would like to chat or need advice.
Call 0800 737 2273.
Or find a care home near you to get local support.

 

See our support video gallery for advice on how to talk to your loved one about care, and what signs to look out for when someone might need more help.