Residents’ quality of life is better in care homes rated as good or outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Research found that their quality of life is better in fully-staffed homes, and where staff have better pay and training.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE SERVICES RESEARCH reported on 29.09.22 that:
"Care providers are obliged to nurture residents’ quality of life, but there is no standard way of measuring quality of life in care homes. The CQC rates whether homes are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. But before this study, it was not known whether CQC ratings were a good reflection of residents' quality of life. It was also not known whether staff numbers, pay and training were linked to CQC ratings. This is important because care workers often have poor pay and little training beyond basic induction training. Staff shortages, which increase time pressures, are common.
Staff need the right tools to gather information about residents’ health and quality of life. Many care home residents have dementia and may find it difficult to tell staff how they are feeling. In the first part of this study, the research team worked with staff, residents and families to develop tools to help care home staff identify pain, anxiety and low mood in residents. These tools are suitable for residents with dementia and those with communication difficulties; staff do not need clinical training to use them."
Related event: 
Preparation for the New Inspection Framework in Care Homes
This Masterclass will enable you to:
- Understand the changes to the inspection framework which the Single Assessment Framework will bring
- Explore the quality statements
- Discuss the 6 evidence categories
- Explore how your services will be assessed based upon the evidence
- Prepare for the on-site inspection visit
- Manage the inspection visit
- Take immediate action when required improvements are identified
- Avoid closed cultures