Edinburgh care home shortlisted for national award

A care home in Edinburgh is celebrating after being shortlisted in the Care Home Awards 2022.

Care UK’s Cairdean House, on Redford Road, has been shortlisted in the ‘Best for Communication and Use of Digital Channels’ category, which recognises the efforts of a care home using digital technology to improve care.

The Care Home Awards recognise and reward excellence and innovation in UK care home management, operation and delivery. The winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony in July. 

The team at Cairdean House has been recognised for using a wide range of communication channels to keep in touch with relatives, friends, and even the wider community – which has become particularly prevalent throughout the pandemic.  

As well as ensuring residents have been able to maintain two-way communication with the outside world, the team regularly posted photographs of activities in the home for relatives to enjoy, as well using the platforms to receive communication from the local community. For example, the local pre-school performed carols at Christmas, and the local armed forces base also made virtual visits on Remembrance Day. 

Zoom has been actively embraced by the home, with residents using the technology to see family and friends, as well as take part in virtual activities and exercise classes.

Dedicated to fulfilling lives, judges also praised Cairdean House’s innovation to creative activities, which have included a full-scale crazy golf course, based on famous Edinburgh landmarks, built in the home and garden for residents to enjoy. This activity encouraged physical activity, reminiscence, as well as delivering something which family and friends would enjoy seeing on social media. 

For relatives and community groups not able to use Facebook, the home used email, or even wrote letters which included photos of their loved ones at the home to ensure relationships were maintained. 

A relative commented: “When the home has been closed, we have been able to see photos of my Dad and other residents taking part in fun activities. Seeing residents generally enjoying themselves has been a great comfort – and the cause of some family hilarity!”

Gillian Goodall, Home Manager at Cairdean House, added: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in the ‘Best for Communication and Use of Digital Channels’ category at this years’ Care Home Awards. 

“Restrictions over the past couple of years have been difficult for everyone, not least for care home residents and their families. By embracing digital communication, the team has gone above and beyond to ensure residents are still able to communicate and connect with the wider world – even if sometimes it has had to be in 2D!

“I am incredibly proud of all we have achieved, and the ways we have used social media to ensure residents lead fulfilling lives. Although life is thankfully beginning to return to normal, there are many things we will maintain, from our Facebook updates to our quirky Zoom activities, and we look forward to seeing how this continues to enhance life here at Cairdean House.”

Cairdean House has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as short-term respite.

For more information about Cairdean House, please call home manager, Gillian Goodall, on 0131 516 8460, or email gillian.goodall@careuk.com.

For general information please visit, careuk.com/cairdean-house.