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The first day in a care home marks the beginning of a new chapter in life's journey. While this transition can naturally bring a mix of emotions, understanding what to expect can help make the experience more comfortable and positive. At Ashberry Care Homes, we've supported countless residents through their first day, creating welcoming experiences that help establish the foundation for a happy and fulfilling life in their new home.
Arrival and Welcome
The moment you step through our doors marks the beginning of your journey with us. We understand the significance of these first moments and take great care to ensure they're warm, unhurried, and reassuring. Our experienced team will be ready to welcome you, having prepared everything in advance to make your arrival as smooth as possible.
Your dedicated care team will already be familiar with your preferences and needs, having carefully reviewed your care plan and personal history. We believe these first interactions should feel natural and comfortable, like being welcomed by friends who are genuinely pleased to see you. You'll notice our staff take time to introduce themselves properly, explaining their roles while maintaining a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Key elements of your welcome might include:
- A warm greeting from our home manager
- Introduction to your dedicated key worker
- A gentle orientation to your immediate surroundings
- Refreshments of your choice
- Time to settle in at your own pace
We understand that every new resident processes this transition differently, which is why our welcome always adapts to suit individual preferences and comfort levels. Some people appreciate a quiet, low-key arrival, while others enjoy meeting fellow residents straight away. At Ashberry Care Homes, both approaches are equally valued and supported.
Settling Into Your Room
Your private space has been prepared with great care before your arrival, incorporating any advance requests and personal touches. This room represents more than just a place to sleep – it's your personal haven within the wider care home community. We encourage residents to take time exploring their new space, ensuring they know how everything works and where everything is located.
The process of unpacking and arranging personal belongings is an important part of the settling-in process. Our team is available to help as much or as little as you prefer, understanding that some people like to arrange their things themselves while others appreciate assistance. We believe this process shouldn't be rushed – it's about creating your own space in a way that feels right for you.
Important aspects of room familiarisation include:
- Understanding how to use the call system
- Arranging furniture to your preferences
- Personalising your space with photos and belongings
- Getting familiar with any adaptive equipment
- Learning about room cleaning schedules
Your room at Ashberry Care Homes is your private space, and we encourage you to make it feel as homely as possible from day one. Whether that means arranging furniture in a particular way or placing treasured photographs in specific spots, we're here to help make your vision of home come to life.
Meeting Other Residents
Creating connections with fellow residents forms an essential part of care home life, but we understand that these introductions need to happen naturally and at a comfortable pace. Your first day offers several organic opportunities to meet others, particularly in our welcoming communal spaces. Our experienced staff are skilled at facilitating these initial interactions, ensuring they feel natural and unhurried.
Many of our current residents remember their own first day clearly and often extend particularly warm welcomes to newcomers. We find that shared experiences often create immediate bonds, with many residents taking pleasure in showing new arrivals around and sharing their own positive experiences. These peer-to-peer connections can prove invaluable in helping you feel part of the community.
Social opportunities on your first day might include:
- Informal chats over morning coffee
- Shared mealtimes
- Participation in daily activities if desired
- Relaxed conversations in communal areas
- Afternoon tea introductions
At Ashberry Care Homes, we've found that these natural, unpressured social interactions often lead to lasting friendships. Our staff remain attentive to ensuring these early social experiences are positive and comfortable for everyone involved.
First Day Routines
While your first day is special, it also provides a gentle introduction to daily life in your new home. We believe in balancing the excitement of the new with the comfort of routine. Our team will guide you through the regular rhythm of the day while ensuring you never feel rushed or overwhelmed. This approach helps create a sense of familiarity and security from the very beginning.
Understanding the daily schedule helps many new residents feel more settled, but we always emphasise that participation is entirely voluntary. Whether you prefer to join in with activities or spend quiet time in your room, your choices are respected. We encourage you to maintain your personal routines while gradually discovering how they can blend with care home life.
Typical daily elements you'll be introduced to include:
- Meal and refreshment times
- Activity sessions and social gatherings
- Care routine preferences
- Quiet periods for rest
- Evening arrangements
The Ashberry approach ensures that while you're learning about our routines, we're also learning about yours. This two-way process helps create a care experience that truly reflects your preferences and lifestyle.
The Dining Experience
Mealtimes offer natural opportunities for socialisation while providing important nutrition and enjoyment. Your first day includes a special focus on ensuring you're comfortable with our dining arrangements and that we understand your preferences perfectly. Our dining rooms are designed to be welcoming spaces where conversation flows as naturally as the tea.
Our catering team takes pride in preparing delicious, nutritious meals that cater to all dietary requirements and preferences. On your first day, we pay particular attention to ensuring you're comfortable with the dining arrangements, whether you prefer to eat in the main dining room or in a quieter space initially.
Important aspects of the dining experience include:
- Menu choices and dietary preferences
- Special requirements or assistance needs
- Favourite drinks and snacks
- Social seating arrangements
At Ashberry Care Homes, we understand that familiar food and comfortable dining experiences play a crucial role in helping you feel at home from day one.
Family Involvement
We recognise that the first day isn't just significant for new residents – it's an important day for family members too. We welcome family involvement throughout the settling-in process, finding that their presence often helps ease the transition. Our team works closely with families to ensure they feel confident about the care their loved one will receive while establishing clear communication channels for the future.
Family members are encouraged to stay as long as they wish on moving-in day, perhaps joining their loved one for meals or activities. We find this approach helps everyone feel more comfortable with the new arrangements while allowing families to see firsthand how their loved one is settling in.
Ways families can be involved include:
- Helping arrange personal belongings
- Joining for meals or refreshments
- Meeting key staff members
- Understanding communication channels
- Planning future visits
We ensure that both residents and their families feel supported throughout this transition, understanding that good communication and transparency help build trust and confidence in our care.
Evening and Night-time
As your first day draws to a close, our evening team takes particular care to ensure you feel comfortable and secure. The transition to spending your first night in a new place is handled with sensitivity and support. Our night staff understand the importance of maintaining familiar bedtime routines while being readily available should you need anything during the night.
Your evening care team will take time to understand your preferred bedtime routine, ensuring you have everything you need for a comfortable night's sleep. They'll explain the night-time support available and ensure you're completely comfortable with using the call system.
Evening support includes:
- Establishing preferred bedtime routines
- Ensuring comfort and security
- Explaining night-time support available
- Setting up preferred night-time drinks
- Arranging morning wake-up preferences
At Ashberry Care Homes, we understand that the first night in a new place can feel different, which is why our night team pays special attention to new residents, providing reassurance and support whenever needed.
Looking for the right care home is a significant decision, and at Ashberry Care Homes, we're committed to making the transition as smooth and positive as possible. We invite you to visit any of our homes to experience our approach firsthand and discuss how we could support you or your loved one in making this important life transition. Contact our friendly team to arrange a visit and discover why so many families choose Ashberry Care Homes for their loved ones' care needs.
