Residents should be allowed to drink in care homes, research from Beds Uni suggests
Research from the University of Bedfordshire suggests residents in care homes should be allowed to drink alcohol
Drinking alcohol could benefit care home residents' quality of life, according to research from the University of Bedfordshire.
Residents, their loved ones, staff and inspectors were surveyed across England to create the report, with the help of the Care Quality Commission.
The findings showed overwhelmingly positive feedback to a healthy alcohol intake.
"...some homes had a very risk averse policy to alcohol."
Dr Sarah Wadd, who led the study at the University of Bedfordshire, said: "All of the residents and family members we spoke to felt really strongly that a care home is a person's home and that people should be able to drink alcohol."
"Some homes only made alcohol available very occasionally, so perhaps people might be offered a sherry just at Christmas, and some homes had a very risk averse policy to alcohol."
Different care homes operate under different rules when it comes to alcohol consumption, mostly with strict monitoring across all surveyed, with some only allowing one alcoholic beverage a week or on special occasions.
"...in some homes everybody's alcohol use was monitored and recorded regardless of their level of risk."
Dr Wadd said: "In some homes, if a relative brought a bottle of whiskey in, the care staff would take that bottle away and the residents had to ask every time they wanted a drink of alcohol, and in some homes everybody's alcohol use was monitored and recorded regardless of their level of risk."
Some residents would have lived their life differently, perhaps with a higher alcohol intake, outside of the residence.
"...when we interviewed care home inspectors, they felt that, with the best intentions, care staff sometimes went a little bit too far"
The research suggests a healthy amount could improve social interactions with other residents, visitors and staff.
Some reservations around alcohol dependency or mixing with medication were raised in the report, however residents are already being monitored by carers to avoid incidents, and allowing those considered 'not at risk' to access alcohol more often could improve their wellbeing.
"Most of these restrictive policies were because people are concerned about health and safety, but when we interviewed care home inspectors, they felt that, with the best intentions, care staff sometimes went a little bit too far", added Dr Wadd.
“Just like anything else in life that is a matter of taste and choice, how care homes manage alcohol is a strong indicator of how well they are delivering good, safe, personalised care to their residents.”
The research further suggests people living in care homes and their relatives generally feel drinking alcohol is an important part of living happily in old age.
Amy Hopwood, from the CQC, said: “This important research shines a light on the importance of care homes safely supporting their residents to continue drinking alcohol if they wish to, using their professional expertise to balance the risks alongside the individual’s preferences."
“Just like anything else in life that is a matter of taste and choice, how care homes manage alcohol is a strong indicator of how well they are delivering good, safe, personalised care to their residents.”
You can find more information and guidance on the University of Bedfordshire's website.