Posted by Hannah Rowe
Yes, as the UK becomes more diverse, and as we age, the care home communities we live in will also become more varied. In fact, there are some care homes specifically catering to the needs of certain religions, such as those run by organisations like Jewish Care. Autumna’s advanced search facility allows you to search for care homes which are affiliated to specific faiths.
The vast majority of care homes which you will visit may have residents from different religions (or none at all), but even if there are no residents from different faiths, it is increasingly common for homes to celebrate different religious festivals and occasions as part of their activities programme.
There are a variety of reasons why care homes incorporate some of the key festivals such as Diwali, Chanuka or Eid into their activities calendar. These can include:
Respecting someone’s cultural norms and customs is part of providing person-centred care. The care home regulator, the Care Quality Commission, gives a number of examples of how this can be achieved. These include celebrating festivals with special food and entertainment.
When a new person moves into a care community, it is natural for there to be a period of adjustment where everyone gets to know each other. This is true of both new residents and new staff members.
By enabling residents or staff from these cultures (be they the new person or an existing one) to share their knowledge and experience of the festival, a greater understanding and appreciation of each other can develop.
If the care home is a religious-specific one, cultural norms and celebrations are a way to form a common bond between staff and residents.
Celebrating festivals from a range of cultures allows residents to enjoy different celebrations which they may not have experienced before, and in doing so understand more about the culture. This is an enriching experience, which can be expanded to include ‘armchair travel’ sessions to learn more about the countries from which the festivals originated.
Reminiscence is an important activity in care homes, as it has been shown to improve mood, reduce loneliness, and enhance cognitive functioning. By sharing memories of previous festivals and celebrations, residents can not only benefit from these positive effects but also give fellow residents a first-hand understanding of them.
Celebrating religious festivals in care facilities involves many staff, from the activities coordinators to the kitchen and care teams – sometimes even the maintenance team or the gardeners! But these multi-departmental efforts are always appreciated, as they increase and enhance the experiences of older people.
As with every activity in a care home there is no obligation to participate in a religious festival, and those who choose to take part can do as much or as little as they wish. In an increasingly multicultural UK, the amount of religions and cultures we will encounter is bound to increase. Gaining an understanding of these, in whatever way we can, will only foster better relationships between us all.
If you are looking for nursing homes that cater for different faiths, then possibly the best place to start is with Autumna.
If you are hoping to find a residential home with an activities calendar that celebrates different religions, then again, using Autumna's additional filters will help you.
And don't forget, Autumna established the Choice Dining accreditation for retirement homes so, if you need a care home that offers a multi-cultured menu, then you'll find all the detail you need on Autumna.
If all you need at the moment is a general search for the best care home in your area based just on the care provided and cost, then completing this simple care assessment form will help you.
Of course, if you’d prefer to get help from a real life, friendly, human being, then you can always speak to our care advice helpline team. The number is: 01892 33 53 30 and the line is open 7 days a week (Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.30pm, Sat 10am – 5pm, Sun 10am – 4pm).
It’s important to note that Autumna's database accesses every one of the UK’s registered elder care providers. So that our guidance remains completely impartial, Autumna does not accept referral fees or commission payments from any care homes, home care agencies or retirement living operators.
Other articles to read
Older Persons Care Advice
March 12th, 2024
How can music help people with dementia feel calmer, happier and more connected to people? Find dementia-friendly playlists here.
Older Persons Care Advice
March 12th, 2024
A chance to socialise means the world to some older people. Day Care services for respite provide an opportunity to laugh, learn and listen to like-minded people. Here's how.
Older Persons Care Advice
February 8th, 2024
Women's retirement savings are on average £69,000 while men's savings equate to £205,000. Autumna looks at why women’s retirement funds are less than men's in the UK and how that affects their choice of care.
Whether you are looking for nursing homes that cater for different faiths then possibly the best place to start is with Autumna. If you are hoping to find a residential homewith an activities calendar that celebrates different religions, then again, using Autumna's additional filters will help you. And don't forget, Autumna established the Choice Dining accreditation for retirement homes so if you need a care home that offers a multi-cultured menu, then you'll find all the detail you need on Autumna.
is by completing this simple questionnaire. It’ll lead you through all the questions you should be asking to establish what sort of care you need.
It’s important to note that Autumna’s advice is independent and impartial. Autumna accesses every one of the UK’s elder care providers and does not accept referral fees from providers to promote one over another.
Of course, if you’d prefer a human to help guide you through the tricky process of finding the best care home for you, then just call our friendly advice line team on 01892 33 53 30. The lines are open 7 days a week (Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.30pm, Sat 10am – 5pm, Sun 10am – 4pm) and they’ll be very happy to guide you.
10,400
Care Homes
12,055
Home Care Services
1,005
Live-in Care Services
1,861
Retirement Living Developments
Autumna is the UK's largest and most comprehensive later-life living & elderly care directory. Our detailed search facility and team of expert advisors can help you find the best care homes, nursing homes, retirement homes, retirement villages, home care, and live-in care services for you or your loved one's needs. Our website is free to use, we are proudly independent, and we never take referral fees.