Summer at Baxendale Care Home

Although it may not seem like it, given the amount of rain we have already had this year, we are actually in the middle of summer. At Baxendale Care Home, a 24-hour care home near Barnet, we always try to ensure that all our residents enjoy the warmer months, while taking care to ensure that they stay safe and well, given that they could be vulnerable to the heat. Here are a few of the steps we take.

Special Excursions and Events

At Baxendale we organise outings to the local pubs, shops, cafes, parks and other locations. This is done on a one-to-one basis between residents and staff, and in small groups. We hope to organise trips to local places of interest such as Trent Park and Kenwood House, as well as places slightly further afield – such as The RAF Museum in Hendon, as well as a trip to Southend or somewhere similar by the seaside.

We also lay on an annual garden party in our grounds; this includes cream teas, ongoing entertainment, and patio games (including a Giant Connect 4). We also put on gardening activities such as pot painting and seed planting; we have raised beds where residents can grow their own fruit, herbs and vegetables.

Baxendale’s residents also enjoy a ‘vacation’ week where we do all things ‘holiday’, such as:

• Watching a Punch and Judy show
• Making sandcastles
• Designing our own postcards
• Eating meals and food from different countries
• Reminiscing about past holidays
• Taking part in quizzes
• Watching films with a summer theme
• And even enjoying our own ice cream parlour or cocktail bar!

Beating the Heat

At Baxendale we are keenly aware that high temperatures could pose a health risk to our residents, so we follow any Government alerts and “Beat the Heat” guidance and checklists.

We will notify residents of any changes in guidance by posters, individual memos or discussions. We have policies and procedures for staff to follow. We help keep everyone hydrated with extra drinks, mocktails, fruit platters, ice lollies and other refreshing items.

We would advise residents not to go in the garden or visit outside of the home during the hottest part of the day and to always wear a hat and sun-cream. We would issue a general heat warning to all residents, but we would risk assess individuals according to their medical needs too, in case any have any specific conditions which could make them particularly vulnerable to high temperatures.

Controlling the Temperature

We are now lucky enough to have air-conditioning in most of the bedrooms (all the communal areas should have it in the next month or so), so we are far more able to keep everyone cool in any extreme heat. The residents have complete control of the temperature in their bedrooms whether it be heating or air conditioning/cooling. There are also back-up radiators that can provide additional heat in extreme cold weather.

Keeping windows, blinds and curtains closed helps too. In addition, we have ceiling and free-standing fans available and a ventilation system to remove hot air on the top floor. The communal areas are heated by thermostats set to recommended temperatures.

Communicating with Residents About Hot Weather (and Anything Else)

We communicate with our residents by notices on the various noticeboards around the home, by individual letters or memos given out by hand. When doing this, a member of staff would also explain the contents to each resident to enable them to ask any questions. Residents have a nominated keyworker as well.

We hold monthly residents’ meetings with an agenda that covers the following subjects:

• Health and well-being
• Activities
• Staffing
• Meals and mealtimes
• And any up-and-coming dates.

We use this forum to get ideas, suggestions and comments from residents as well as communicating any other news, government guidance, refurbishments, improvements, equipment and anything else they may need to know about.

Our Trustees also visit monthly to talk with the residents on a one-to-one basis.

Baxendale Care Home – a 24-hour Care Home near Barnet

Baxendale Care Home is a residential caring home in North London, and provides long- and short-term care, dementia care and respite care. If you would like to know more about any of our services, follow this link and fill in the online form; you can also call us on 020 8445 1127.