FEATURE ARTICLES

Energy costs have become a major strategic concern for adult social care providers that directly impacts financial sustainability, staffing budgets and even long-term service viability. David Woodward argues that understanding expensive charging periods is now essential.

Conversations around dementia-friendly environments, specialist support and person-centred care have become more common, but the day-to-day reality of delivering truly high quality dementia care remains widely misunderstood, writes, Rebecca Rawlings

In practice, care homes are becoming the new hospices, increasing emotional and psychological demands on staff. Julie Smyth explains how Springfield Healthcare Group at Wetherby Care & Retirement Village are setting a new standard for staff wellbeing

On a former problem pub site in Shirley, Macc Care has created Heathfield Rose – a boutique, clinically led, digitally enabled care home. Editor Mary‑Louise Clews attended the launch to find out why this site was chosen, how the development unfolded, and what Macc Care believes sets it apart in a crowded luxury market.

Despite mounting challenges and growing demand, Jayne Connery is optimistic about how innovation is set to transform care for people with dementia.

Regular physiotherapy support in care homes can help meet new government neighbourhood health aims, while boosting independence and quality of life, writes Skye Ramell and Kelly Steed.

A circular approach to equipment management offers a practical alternative to disposal that saves money, while also reducing carbon emissions for care homes, writes Hannah Montgomery.

Joe Brett explores the value of a putting people who live in care homes first when planning redecoration.

Music therapy is increasingly being recognised as a significant factor in providing effective, personalised care for people with dementia, writes Joy Henshaw.

Accounting for around 70 per cent of a care home’s energy costs, improving heating and water efficiency is the biggest lever for cutting bills. Craig Dolan looks at what care home managers need to know when considering new or upgraded systems.

Most care home lighting is designed for the people who work there, says Michael Bamling, who makes the case for configuring it for the people who live in them, and outlines practical principles that can change their daily experience.

Reporting is a necessary and important task for care groups, but the value it provides can vary significantly if there is not a clear structure or process involved. Radar Healthcare’s new and updated event toolkits were developed to address this gap.

Care homes create a significant amount of waste, which needs to be managed as a legal requirement. With ‘simpler recycling’ rules extending to micro providers due next year, Mia Fisher argues rubbish needs to be higher up facility managers’ priorities

With bathrooms one of the most demanding spaces for those living with arthritis and MSK conditions, thoughtful adaptation can help reduce obstacles to use, writes Stuart Reynolds.

A strong resilient Wi-Fi network is no longer a nice to have in a care home increasingly reliant on digital care and business tools. Calla Marenghi outlines the issues facing providers and offers a practical upgrade roadmap.

Therapeutic environments are becoming increasingly essential to care homes as they seek to manage more older residents with complex needs – and keep them out of hospital. Joe Hulbert explains why this requires a rethink of the role of therapy in residential care.

Understanding care culture is crucial to successful outside space design that creates enduring and meaningful engagement with this important part of a care home’s environment, writes Debbie Carroll and Mark Rendell.

Policy campaigners striving for greater engagement in care can learn how to win over hearts from those delivering services on the frontline, writes Jayne Connery.

When serious incidents occur in a care home, regulatory scrutiny can intensify rapidly. Jenny Wilde outlines the practical steps care home leaders can take to stabilise services, engage effectively with regulators and rebuild confidence.

Hygiene protocols must be higher for people in care settings who can be more vulnerable to infection.