Our general home meeting in September was jam packed. The meeting began with the announcement of the winners of the staff appreciation as voted by their peers. Congratulations to Cynthia, Istiyak, Namrata, Samuel, Kenneth, Brigette, Dibash, Upasana, Sedonia, Omene, Isoken and Jennifer.

This was followed by a lively debate pitting Carers: The key to Resident Nutrition & Hydration against External factors: The Real Drivers for Resident Nutrition & Hydration.

The teams comprised of Chinomso, Naimul, Divya and Eshwaaq arguing for and Charulbahen, Anne, Babatunde and Sushma arguing against.

Congratulations to all the debaters who participated, and Olayinka, admin support who facilitated the initiative, everyone was impressed by the quality and presentation of the debate. The winners as voted by their peers were the team arguing for Carers: The key to Resident Nutrition & Hydration.

The following is a document put in place as a result of the debate and the efforts of our teams.

Action Points: Enhancing Resident Hydration and Nutrition

Objective

To improve the hydration and nutrition of residents in our nursing home by addressing both the influence of carers and the external factors impacting these areas.

For: Carers as the Key to Resident Hydration and Nutrition

1. Training and Development
   • Action: Implement regular training sessions for carers focused on nutrition and hydration best practices.
   • Responsibility: Nursing home management and training coordinator.
   • Status: Active
2. Personalised Care Plans
   • Action: Develop individualized hydration and nutrition plans for each resident, considering their preferences and dietary restrictions.
   • Responsibility: Nurses, team leaders, and carers.
   • Status: Active
3. Regular Monitoring
   • Action: Establish a system for carers to monitor and record residents’ daily fluid and food intake.
   • Responsibility: Carers.
   • Status: Active
4. Encouragement Strategies
   • Action: Create techniques for carers to encourage residents to eat and drink, such as scheduled mealtimes and social dining experiences.
   • Responsibility: Carers and activity coordinators.
   • Status: Active
5. Feedback Mechanism
   • Action: Implement a feedback system for residents to express their preferences regarding food and hydration.
   • Responsibility: Management and carers.
   • Status: Active

Against: External Factors as the Real Drivers of Resident Hydration and Nutrition

1. Environmental Assessment
   • Action: Conduct an audit of the current food and hydration offerings available to residents.
   • Responsibility: Catering manager.
   • Status: Active
2. Addressing Medical Conditions
   • Action: Collaborate with healthcare professionals to understand the medical conditions affecting residents’ nutrition and hydration.
   • Responsibility: Nursing staff and healthcare providers.
   • Status: Active
3. Policy Review
   • Action: Review and update policies related to meal provision and hydration stations to ensure optimal resources are available.
   • Responsibility: catering manager.
   • Status: Active
4. Family and Community Engagement
   • Action: Develop programs to involve family members and community resources in supporting resident nutrition and hydration.
   • Responsibility: Activities coordinator.

1. • Status: Active

1. Awareness Campaign
   • Action: Launch an awareness campaign within the nursing home about the importance of hydration and nutrition, targeting both staff and residents.
   • Responsibility: Safety champions and management.
   • Status: Active

Conclusion

By implementing these action points, we aim to enhance the hydration and nutrition of residents, considering both the critical role of carers and the external factors that influence these aspects of care.

PWH is dedicated to empowering our team and ensuring their voices are heard as this leads to the best possible outcomes for our residents and a team that feels valued.