Furnishing a care home is more complicated than furnishing a house. There’s a lot of specialist equipment and furniture that you need. The aim is to make the residents as comfortable as possible and make the staff’s jobs easier too. You should think about including elements that can help residents to be more independent. Some equipment will help residents to get around the home or be more mobile in other ways. Read this guide to find out about some of the essential items you should include. There are things both big and small that staff and residents can benefit from.

Lifting Equipment

Care home residents can often have trouble with mobility. Moving between different levels, such as from a wheelchair to a bed, can be one of the toughest challenges. Sometimes it’s left to staff to lift someone up personally. However, it’s much safer to move someone using specialised equipment. There is less risk of dropping someone and of a care worker hurting their back by lifting someone up. Using a lifting system usually involves a sling, which can hold someone safely. They can be used to move people into beds or chairs, or to help with going to the toilet.

Mobility Equipment

Other equipment to help people get around will always be useful too. It can be useful to have a wheelchair or two, although many residents will have their own. Other equipment to help with residents’ mobility might include systems to help prevent falls. These sometimes consist of a mat that will alert a member of staff when a resident stands on it. This helps carers to know when they need to provide help to someone at risk of falling or wandering away on their own.

Beds and Chairs

You can’t just have any beds or chairs in care homes. There are lots of issues to consider, from bed sores to the ease of sitting down. Specialist mattresses might be required to help relieve pressure, or perhaps adjustable beds to make it easier to sit up and lie down. When you look at chairs for care homes, you need to keep practicality in mind. Chairs can help to provide pressure relief and make it easier for residents to sit. They can’t be too low or difficult to get out of. It’s also a good idea to think about hygiene and sanitation. Is it easy to clean the chairs? Staff don’t have a lot of time to spend cleaning upholstery.

Accessible Tools

There are many smaller tools that can come in handy for care home residents. Simple tasks can become difficult, but the right equipment can make it easier. It’s important to think about the various challenges people face. The right tools could include cutlery that’s easier to use for residents with fine motor skill problems. Some people might have sight or hearing problems, which could be aided with the correct range of equipment.
Outfitting a care home requires an expert eye to make everything accessible. Provide the best service for your residents by considering their needs.