How to Prep for the Weekend Visitor

People often have busy schedules, so when a parent's care needs progress to the point where they require care, it can be stressful finding time to visit several care homes as recommended. The typical full-time worker works 36.5 hours a week, Monday through Friday, and may be limited to visiting care homes on weekends.

It is often the Care Home Manager who completes show rounds, but they, of course, need a break too! Usually, a Care Home Manager works Monday to Friday; therefore, this leaves the question of who will complete show-rounds at the weekends?

We have spoken to the TrustedCare Team and have identified five things a care home can do to prepare for the weekend visitor.

1. Decide which staff members would be best suited to doing show-rounds

It would be good practice to select at least three regular weekend staff members who you think would excel in representing the care home. It is important to have more than one member of staff who is capable of providing a show round to cover for sickness, annual holidays and the instance that a care seeker walks in without an appointment. It's good to be prepared for all occurrences!

Key Takeaways:

• Ensure that you choose more than one person so that sickness & holidays will be covered
• Choose members of staff whom have good knowledge of the home as they will likely be able to answer the care seekers questions.
• Select people who consistently work weekends

2. Provide appropriate training to staff members

Once you have decided who will be responsible for completing show rounds at weekends, it would be a very good idea to provide training to these members of staff to ensure that they are well-equipped to 'wow' potential residents & their families.

Key Takeaways:

• Create an FAQ of questions that often get asked during show rounds, and note down the answers that you would like your staff members to give. This could be really helpful to your elected staff members as they have something to refer to should they get asked a difficult question.
• Provide a list of 'do's & don't's' to ensure that staff members are clear on what to/not to say and do during the visit
• It may help your staff members to do a few practice rounds before jumping into the deep end as this will give them confidence and allow you to give them pointers for improvement.

3. Ensure that there is a good communication system in place & make sure you put visits in the diary!

There's nothing worse than a care seeker showing up at a care home that they have scheduled a visit to, only to find that staff members don't appear to be expecting them. First impressions count, and this display of disorganisation could cost a potential resident!

Key Takeaways:

• Make a point to advise all staff members working the weekend if there is going to be a visit
• Make sure you enter all visits into the diary, calendar or shared sheet
• If you don't have one already, put a strong communication system in place which minimalises any visits slipping through the hoops.

4. Make sure that the Care Seeker is made aware in advance if management is not going to be available

If you know that the management team will not be available over the weekend, it is essential to inform the care seeker beforehand to manage their expectations and provide them with the opportunity to rearrange if they wish to speak with the Manager. Staff members in non-managerial roles are often unable to discuss funding in-depth, a topic that is likely to arise in conversation.

Key Takeaways:

• Make care seekers aware that management won't be available at the weekend as early as you can
• Ensure that Receptionists/Admin Staff are aware of what the Management's work schedule's are so that they are able to advise care seekers of their availability.

5. The Home Manager could put aside a brochure with a breakdown of costs if they are not going to be present

Linking to number 4, if the Home Manager is aware of a visit taking place at the weekend that they are unable to attend, they could put aside a brochure or some information containing a breakdown of costs for staff to give to the care seeker to take home with them.

Key Takeaways:

• Prepare printouts of funding information for the care seeker before the visit

• A compliments slip from the Home Manager for the care seeker is always a nice touch!

We hope that our TrustedCare tips are helpful and assist you in creating a wonderful experience for care seekers visiting your care homes at weekends!