I can’t speak for all carers, but observing the way this carer interacted with a resident yesterday at the Dome on Manning Road (Monday, 17 Nov, around 3 p.m.) was incredibly sad and concerning. The staff member was on his phone for almost the entire visit and did not engage with the resident at all, apart from bringing him a drink. The purpose of an outing like this is to give residents an opportunity to socialise, enjoy meaningful interaction, and help maintain cognitive wellbeing. I don’t know the full story, and it’s possible the resident has dementia or difficulty hearing, but at the very least a warm smile, some gentle eye contact, and basic companionship should be offered. Even when communication is challenging, there are many simple ways to engage a resident: smiling warmly, reading to them (if they can hear), playing noughts and crosses or cards, making small observations about the surroundings, or sharing photos, pictures, and simple stories about travel, pets, or interests. Anything is better than ignoring them while being on a phone the entire time. It was upsetting to witness, and I hope this resident can receive more attentive care in the future—and that staff are given the support and training they need. 🤗
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