Top Care Home Trends for 2024
2020 was a difficult year for the care home industry, and with 2021 now well under way, the various adaptations that are being put in motion by care homes across the UK to combat COVID-19 and its social and economic effects are starting to come to light.
Let’s take a look at three of the most prominent trends and what this might mean for both staff and residents.
Occupancy levels will rise
During 2020, nearly 20,000 care home residents in the UK passed away due to COVID-19. This, coupled with the fear that families wouldn’t be able to see their loved ones in care homes due to certain restrictions, meant that many people chose to take their elderly relatives out of care. As a result, care home occupancy rates fell to around 79% nationally.
However, this year, as confidence continues to rise and many workers are reintroduced to the office, it’s likely that care home occupancy levels will return to their pre-pandemic state – around 87%.
Redesigns will be required
In the same way that offices all over the UK are having to be redesigned to reflect the new rules surrounding COVID, care homes will also need some restructuring. Whether it’s larger rooms to facilitate social distancing, additional storage space or even indoor meeting pods and outdoor meeting areas, there will be a lot for care home managers to think about this year.
If you are a care home manager and think refurbishment work needs to be carried out at your premises, make sure that you choose a reputable project management firm to help you budget properly, plan carefully and see the project through to completion.
Cleaning measures will be stricter
As you would expect, one of the biggest changes in care homes this year will be the stricter cleaning regimes. Not only will residents have to follow a strict hygiene schedule, but carers and staff will have to meticulously clean surfaces, furniture and rooms in general in order to properly combat the virus.
Another trend this year will be increased ventilation requirements to combat the spread of COVID-19. Modern care homes have to ensure there are air intake and extraction systems in place, creating a positive supply of air into corridors and minimising the air circulation back into residents’ rooms.
Aedifice Partnership is a leading consultancy and project management firm specializing in delivering high-quality projects across various sectors, including care homes, residential properties, education establishments, and commercial properties.
Our range of services includes project management, chartered building surveys, CDM and quantity surveying among others.
Contact us for a free quote!