Alison shares her experiences from a placement she did at Craigie House care home over a four-day period.

“Craigie House Residential Care Home is a local authority run care home located in a converted mansion house in Dundee. I recently had the opportunity to visit here and in this blog I share my experiences with you… “ Alison

Day 1 – Lending a hand

On my first day at the care home I met with the following members of staff – Diane (agency), Lesley Ann, Morag, Margaret and Heather (agency).

I got to observe a range of tasks such as medicine administering, bed bath, lifting and handling, hoist use, wheelchair checks, care plan updates and recording, washing and dressing.

It was a pleasure to be able to support and participate in serving breakfast, assisting with feeding, chatting, making hot drinks and snacks for residents and washing up. Also on the rota was assisting mobile residents to dining area for lunch, serving lunch, and drinks, making beds, clean towels into rooms. All in all, it was a great first day!

Day 2 – Having a tea party

My second day started with the introduction of Lynn (DCC Arts), Trudy and Jackie (laundry), along with both Morag and Heather whom I’d met the day before.

Observations made were medicine administering, wheelchair checks, manoeuvres and care plan updates.

I assisted and supported the staff with serving breakfast, feeding, arts and crafts activities and set up dining room for lunch. I helped with getting residents to the dining room serving lunch and drinks and ensuring dietary requirements were met. Also helped to clear up and assist residents back to lounge. The best part of this day was setting up the dining area for an afternoon tea party where we served residents with tea, coffee and cakes, again following dietary requirements.

Day 3 – Getting to know the residents

I met with Fiona, Anne, Marta (kitchen), Louise and Vivian on the third day, and again with Morag and Heather.

Again, I observed the procedures for medication administering, food and fluid intake recording and care plan updates.

The morning was spent supporting with serving breakfast and assisting with feeding and drinking, ensuring correct cups were used. Together with the staff, I helped serve refreshments and snacks and chatted chatting to residents, whilst also helping residents into the garden. In the afternoon we set up the dining room for lunch and set up the shop for residents to purchase sweets, snacks, toiletries, etc. Orders for for evening meal choices from residents were taken and delivered to kitchen staff along with washing up duties and making and serving refreshments to residents.

Day 4 – A brilliant experience

The last day of my visit began with the introduction of Elaine and Fiona (kitchen) along with Heather who had been a constant over the four days.

As on the previous days, I observed medication administering and recording, along with the care plan updates.

Once again I supported and participated in serving breakfast and assisted with feeding and administering drinks to the residents. We recorded food and fluid intake during breakfast giving feedback to staff for their resident files. Tea, coffee and toast was made for residents mid-morning, while we got on with the washing up. The afternoon was spent setting up the dining room for lunch and afterwards I assisted in clearing up and washing the dishes along with some tidying of the lounge.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my placement over the four days and learned a lot about how the care home operates and its procedures and I met some wonderful people both staff and residents alike.”

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