Deciding to open an aged care home is not one that should be taken lightly. There are many things to consider, from the licensing and regulations required to operate such a business, to the day-to-day management of your residents. Consequently, we will discuss some of the most common mistakes made by aged care homes, and how you can avoid them.
Not Keeping Accurate Records
When opening any sort of business, but especially one that will be caring for people, it is crucial that you keep accurate records. This means having a system in place to track the medications given to residents, their diet and fluid intake, any incidents or accidents that occur, as well as daily activities. Although this can seem like a lot of work, it is vital for the safety and well-being of your residents. Inaccurate records can lead to tragic consequences, such as a resident not receiving the correct medication or not being monitored properly.
While on the note of record-keeping, this should also cover finances and budgeting. As an aged care home, you will need to have a clear understanding of your income and expenditure to maintain financial stability.
Not Hiring Qualified Staff
One of the most important aspects of running a successful aged care home is having a qualified and caring staff. These are the people who will be responsible for the care of your residents on a day-to-day basis, so they must be up to the task.
Unfortunately, many aged care homes make the mistake of hiring unqualified staff to save money. This is a false economy, as it will ultimately lead to poorer care for residents and a higher staff turnover.
As well as hiring advanced staff, invest in training for your staff and make sure they are qualified to do the job you are asking of them.
Not Using Industry-Specific Software
Did you know that there is a special software designed specifically for aged care homes? This software can streamline your operations and make it easier for staff to do their job. With aged care software, you can manage bookings, rosters, care plans, and much more.
If you are not using this software, you are likely to find that your operations are more difficult to manage and that your staff are not as efficient as they could be. Make the switch to aged care software today and manage your facility with confidence – have all the information you need in the software and create a system whereby nobody can question your level of care.
Forgetting the Mental Health of Employees
Like most other businesses this year, aged care homes have been under immense pressure. Your employees are likely to be feeling the strain of the pandemic, as well as the day-to-day challenges of working in aged care. It’s important to make sure that you are looking after the mental health of your employees as well as your residents. If you don’t, you run the risk of high staff turnover and a negative impact on the quality of care that your residents receive.
Not Planning Ahead
Even if things are going well now, it’s important to have a plan in place for when things inevitably get tough. Although it seems unlikely now, what would happen if another outbreak of COVID-19 hit your aged care home? What if you had to close your doors for some time? What would happen to your residents and your staff?
Failing to plan can have devastating consequences. Not only could it put your residents at risk, but it could also jeopardize the future of your business. By having a plan in place, you can be prepared for anything that comes your way!
