Work-Based Experience on Care Home for Old People and Home Care Services

This report discusses work-based experience on care home for old people and home care services. It covers the nature of work-based experience, service user group, range of services offered by home care organizations, and reflective journals on activities like Oomph's relaxation, target games, exercise, balloon and racket games, and stretching.

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
SECTION 1............................................................................................................................1
Explain the nature of work-based experience........................................................................1
Which service user group uses the services...........................................................................2
Range of services offered by the home care organisations:...................................................3
SECTION 2............................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Reflection is defined as the term which is significantly used in order to provide the experience
with the help to various feeling, action which emphasis the learning and gaining the productivity
from the learning. In addition, the study is generally focus on the context which may helpful in
order to provide the context which may support the individual for the development of learning
and experience and show the aspect which is well related with the suggested that is well show the
context that is involvement with the events and other where the appropriate suggestion is used to
take that provide the reference of learning and experience. In this report, the discussion is usually
based on the section one and section two. Whereas, section is comprised of work based
experience on the care home for the old people and the section contain the reflective journals
which is well related with activities that provide the reflection (Callow and et. al., 2020).
MAIN BODY
SECTION 1
Explain the nature of work-based experience
Life in old age homes are completely different than life in home. In old age homes; elder
persons are not able to live their life according to their own choices instead people are
answerable for each end every activity they perform. They are not accessible to the foods and
drinks of their own choice. People are controlled basically and live their life apart from their
children, relatives and even sometimes spouse also. Old age homes provide safety, place to live
and support for existence undoubtedly but there are many disadvantages of nursing homes for
seniors; primarily, nursing homes are costly. According to the survey report of 'Cost of Care' in
California, the average cost of private rooms under $307 per day; which is a high amount for
elder citizens who does not have enough savings to afford the place. Living in nursing homes can
be depressive. Many seniors even fall in depression when they get apart from their loved ones.
The feeling of get separated forever from family takes people in low mood. Living in old age
homes can lead to feeling of isolation and loneliness which is a major reason of poor health
among older generation people (Eskimez and et. al., 2019). One more factor behind fear of old
age groups to live in nursing homes is the loss of freedom and independence. Old age group
people are already set to their routines from a long period of time. And then sudden change to the
routines might be hard for them to adapt. Living in nursing homes can cause them to lose self-
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esteem. It is hard for many to accept that now their life is not in their control. They are bounded
to the sleeping, eating, going in and out schedules. Sometimes it might be possible that old age
homes are available at a far distance from familiar homes. So in this busy lifestyle it is not
possible to visit the elders routinely; which develops a feeling of loneliness. Many old age homes
do not provide proper care. Lack of resources and staff members results in poor supervision and
enhance the risk of accidents. But some old age homes are so good and provide all possible
services to the old people; like proper facilities of entertainment, medications, emergency
ambulance, proper cleaning of rooms and wash rooms, hygienic food and well washed clothes,
etc. So it is the responsibility of dedicated children or relatives to search for a proper and well
maintained nursing homes for loved ones and visit to them timely for assurance of their good
physical, emotional and mental health (Karlsson and et. al., 2020).
Which service user group uses the services
Home care services are for old age people to provide them homely environment far from
home. Living in old age nursing homes is a viable option if someone needs assistance to perform
their routine works, tends to enjoy a close and friendly environment far from relatives and
family. Home care services cover many facilities and availabilities to make life easy and
comfortable. Home care services include:
Household maintenance: Lots of work is being performed to run household smoothly.
Household activities includes cleaning dishes, washing floors, gardening, laundry, shopping,
housekeeping, washing clothes, etc.
Transportation: Facilities to move across places include train, buses, rickshaws, cabs, ride-
share apps provide convince for old age people who have trouble in driving or don not like to
drive at night or crowd places. Senior transportation services help in prolong independence and
access to maintain social network.
Home modifications: Modifications are made to facilitate the comfortability and accessibility of
people within old age homes. Modifications include activities like installation of new bathrooms
at ground floors, installation of ramps or elevators to avoid the use of stairs and reduce the
trouble of residents (Mikkelsen and et. al., 2019).
Personal care: Include services of daily living like showering, dressing, meal preparation.
Custodial care also provides limited assistance with activities like reminding someone to take
medicines or monitor blood sugar level or blood pressure, etc.
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Health care: Some healthcare services are available to access from home only without paying
visit to hospitals or clinics. Trained professionals like nurses, doctors, therapists and social
workers visit healthcare homes to their clients. Some health service provides insurance to cover
the health problems (Zhang and et. al., 2021).
Day programs: Day programs organised by nursing homes to give some break to care takers and
for the entertainment of residents. Many activities are given to the people to keep them busy and
give some change from the boredom of daily routine. Special meals are organised by
organisation to special events (Seddigh and et. al., 2020).
Range of services offered by the home care organisations:
Physical activities are important for every age group people for proper functioning of body
and maintaining proper health. Old age homes also organise time to time activities to ensure the
physical fitness in old people according to their reliability and it also helps in boost up their
confidence and sort of entertainment as well as a short break from daily life routine when activity
include visit to outside home. A moderate amount of routine physical activity can have
significant benefits on the health of aged people. Physical activities include, walking, running
smoothly, stair-walking, cycling (if someone is compatible enough). Aerobics activity has gained
a popularity to a large extent among physical exercises in older adults. Cardio respiratory
endurance helps in muscle-strengthening and strong muscles enough power to make a good grip
over heavy things, reduce the risk of falling (Van Leeuwen and et. al., 2019). Physical exercise
reduces the chances of bone fracturing and provide enough strength to perform routine task
without anyone's help. It can help reduce the risk of stress and prevent person from going to
depressive mood, helps in maintenance of blood pressure, improve stamina, fosters
improvements in emotional well-being. Generally old age group people are not interested and
encouraged enough to participate in any sort of activities. So it is important to motivate them to
participate in physical activities by making the things fun and explaining them the importance of
participation. Exercising helps in reduce the risk of Alzheimer's, and other physical and mental
problems. Volunteers should try to identify activities enjoyed by seniors, it is important to be
supportive with them and encourage them that they can do this, encourage others to volunteer,
encourage them to invite peers to take active participation (Štefan and et. al., 2018).
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SECTION 2
Reflective journals 1: Oomph’s relaxation
Significant events
The events of oomph’s relaxation are well demonstrated with the study of mindfulness where it
is act as the technique of meditation. Intensive meditation training does more than the foster
inner peace and the aspect of relaxation. The mental practice of such type of boost control over
attention and show the aspect which expand the person ability in order to make the notice which
present in the rapid form which demonstrate the relaxation.
How you feel and act at the time?
The oomph’s relaxation is generally show the aspect which is relaxing and provide me peace
while performing the process. I feel free and coped with the resilience. The stress and other
associated anxiety is whooping out and relaxed for the period of hours. In addition, it generates
aspect which confirmed the state which is relaxing and provide the context which is relaxing. At
the time when I indulge with the oomph’s relaxation body get a state which is relaxing and
generate the scenario which is comprehensive to develop appropriate mental state.
On reflection, change your action?
The action which is I gain during performing of activities which is well associated with the
context which provide the in-depth learning and configuring the factor that is showing the
behaviour which is relaxing and producing the vitality which is generational for the peace and
mental development.
What you have learnt from the incident?
The incident of the oomph’s may usually show the significance which allow me to understand
the use of activities such as oomph’s relaxation and their impact on the body and mental state. It
allows me to learn the effect which is prolong and eradicate the issue which unbiased condition
within the mental factor such as stress, anxiety and so on.
Reflective journals 2: Target games
Significant events
The target are usually those games in which I used to perform a throw which is associated with
the ball or dart to the specific target. Sometime, the game itself involve with the avoiding of
obstacles, defending, guarding or blocking the path of the opposition ball to make the stop which
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is associated with the term of scoring. Usually games are interesting and create curiosity to hit
the target.
How you feel and act at the time?
While performing the task or to conduct the games, the feeling people used to make their efforts
in the wining of games. The older people are usually show the significance in the games while
taking the dart or ball to hit the target. It develops a level of wellbeing to see the people reaction
towards the games. In addition, I used to act deliberately and sincere where people used to
perform the games while enjoying the task which is related with the target games.
On reflection, change your action?
In this reflection, the minor change is used to cover in order to provide the own words which is
well related with the significant events. The study is comprehensive and share the thought which
is compulsory for the people to hit the target and motivation is generated by me for the older
people in work based placement where I experience the level of understanding that is care home.
What you have learnt from the incident?
The incident is well related with the aspect which is generally associated with the aspect which
show the learning and experience regards with the older people behaviour on the target games. In
addition, the wellbeing is used to develop among the care homes with the older people.
Reflective journals 3: Exercise
Significant events
The events are well related with the context of exercise where the older people must take interest
which may be helpful for the older people to develop physical activity that is helpful. I also
analyse that the older people within the care homes are used to take the exercise seriously and
allow the older people to perform the activity which help to develop wellbeing and resilience in
order to develop resilience.
How you feel and act at the time?
The activity which is chosen such as exercise that help to create the scenario within the work
based placement which is analysed as the care home. The exercise among the older people create
the development of physical aspect which is necessary for the older people in order make them
physically active. The feeling is well focus on the context which allow me to create the learning
aspect among the older people.
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On reflection, change your action?
On reflection, the presence of core concept that alert the action is strategic which may provide
the aspect which is well related with the action which is drastically focus on the aspect which
may produce the quality of exercise among the older people.
What you have learnt from the incident?
The incident of exercise is well show the aspect where the appropriate learning is used to take
which may provide the functional nd their importance among the older people within the work
based placement. The work based placement is requiring activities for the people and I used to
choose exercise which may provide the aspect which help to build the activeness in the term of
physical strength.
Reflective journals 4: Balloon and racket games
Significant events
The events are well related with the balloon and racket games which may help to provide the
brief context which supposed to develop the learning and cognitive aspect for the racket games
that develop physical as well cognitive aspect.
How you feel and act at the time?
The feeling which is analysed as per the balloon and racket games are that the people show their
energy and show happiness among the other which provide me wellness that the activity is
enough to develop the aspect which follow the cope of wellbeing and resilience.
On reflection, change your action?
In addition, it the change of action in the reflection are taken when I analyse that some of the
older people try to perform the balloon and target they get fail and become demotivated then the
level of games become lower that everyone enjoys.
What you have learnt from the incident?
The incident helps me to provide the learning which is related with the wellbeing of people. In
this, there is no such age which is followed for the older people to develop the core context of
happiness.
Reflective journals 5: Stretching
Significant events
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The events among the people is well show the context which create flexibility and eradicate the
unnecessary pain which is associated with the joint and so on. Therefore, event also foster the
physical exercise among the older people with the help of stretching. These events are helpful in
order to provide the events which is compulsory and show the impact which develop active
mechanism of stretching that help to older people to put the body in continuation.
How you feel and act at the time?
The feeling which is well related with the stretching allow me to understand the behaviour which
help to reduce the risk of injury and people are enjoying while doing. The challenge is also faced
by me in order to create right position which is beneficial for the older people. It feels like
creating healthy aspect for the older people within the work placements.
On reflection, change your action?
The change of the action is well related with the context which may provide the aspect that show
the behaviour which change the action for the various manner. In this, the action which is change
that stretching is performed by older people with the proper safety. I also make surety that the
collapsing does not taken place among the general older people who is more aged as compared to
others.
What you have learnt from the incident?
I used to learn about the various of importance and benefits such reduce the risk of injury,
improve the body mechanism, enhanced range of motion and mobility among the older people,
and show the aspect which is well related with the less pain and feel the behaviour of relaxation.
Reflective journals 6: Meditation
Significant events
Meditation is an activity which has many potential benefits on physical and psychological
aspects. It helps old age group people to be calm, provide mental piece, better blood circulation,
reduce stress and improve sleep. Meditation help people to fight with their addictions and
develop positive thoughts in mind. It promotes emotional well-being, control anxiety and
enhance self-awareness.
How you feel and act at the time?
The responsibility of conducting an event for well-being of old age people generates the feeling
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of a responsible care taker and build enthusiasm to encourage more people to participate. In
order to encourage elderly adults to take participation; it is important to explain them the benefits
of meditation and make the event fun and attractive. During event; it is responsibility of
volunteer to monitor the people and identify if someone is facing any issues and try to resolve it.
On reflection, change your action?
As an event organiser; it is responsibility of volunteers to keep track of every person and notice if
aim of event is being achieved or not. If any person face any sort of unaccountability it is a duty
to modify the action and take proper action to make event favourable to everyone.
What you have learnt from the incident?
It was observed that old age people were feeling free and happy after meditation. They were
feeling light and stress free after the event. So it is always a good idea to keep the old people
indulge in activities which are beneficial for their physical, mental and emotional health.
Reflective journals 7: Basketball
Significant events
I organised the basketball match amongst the older people of old age home. They need some
physical activity to keep them healthy and feel refresh. By the basketball match I spend my time
with those old people and share their experiences. They look very happy by playing together and
too excited for the next game. They enjoy that moment and involve seriously in their game.
How you feel and act at the time?
I feel very happy and enjoy that moments. It looks like my dreams come true to see the glimpse
in their eyes. I act like a guide so that they have not do any mistakes which is harmful for them. I
suggest them that how to play and what is the rule for playing basketball. I also provide him
some food and energy drinks during the play so that they feel energetic.
On reflection, change your action?
During the play I was sitting there and suggest him that how they should play. Some of them try
to run very fast, then I suggest them to run slow because there are chances that they got some
injuries and feel very deep pain after the game. If they feel tiredness then I suggest them that they
should have taken some rest for few minutes and I provide them some food and energy drink.
What you have learnt from the incident?
I have learnt many things from that incident like I learnt how we will be happy in every
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situation, How a game can change the mood, What is the benefits of game, how a small efforts
make those people happy.
Reflective journals 8: Music therapy
Significant events
I conducted a music competition among the older people of old age home. They all were allowed
to sing song of their own choice. After a long time they al were gathered together for such
activity and they had a chance to communicate with each other. They all were very happy that
they got a chance to perform and this activity as really helpful to make them stress free.
How you feel and act at the time?
I enjoyed by seeing them happy and stress free. I could feel their happiness. Their eyes were full
of happiness and light. Singing with them made me feel that how important is to spend time with
elder one. I could see how lonely they feel when they were alone. Making them happy made me
feel proud that I can also bring smile on some faces.
On reflection, change your action?
During the music therapy I was watching them by sitting in the middle of the group and
suggested him that how they could enjoy the music. Everybody was free to sing the songs of
their own choices and they were enjoying by singing songs. Most of the people were singing old
songs and were remembering their old days. This activity was really helpful for reducing stress
and it also improved communication abilities among older people. People started sharing their
own experiences and memories.
What you have learnt from the incident?
I have learnt how to communicate older people. I understood how equally it is important to
spend time with our older ones. I have learnt that we should be grateful for what we have and
should worry about we do not have. Overall my experience was good.
Reflective journals 9: Sunflower plant caring
Significant events
As a worker in old age home, I have been assigned the responsibility to volunteer the elderly
people engaged in gardening specially taking care of the sunflower plants. So I was looking after
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their way of taking care of the plants, how they were digging, sowing, weeding and watering.
How you feel and act at the time?
I was really excited to see how they are going to play their part individually and how they will
take care of the plant that they were planting. I was giving tips and advices to make the process
very effective and that would impact the plant's growth.
On reflection, change your action?
The elderly people were facing problems while plantation as they were working in scorching
heat and that was way difficult for them to bear the heat of the extreme sun-rays coming directly
to their faces and there were less access to drinking water because the facility was far away from
the planting area and that was the main hindrance in the process. And there were less sitting
facilities which lead to more of exhaustion in their age.
What you have learnt from the incident?
From this part of incident I have learnt that the older people should be given access to more of
physical activity that would contribute to their physical activities enhancement. So as a worker I
have seen that the elderly people find happiness in every little things so it's important to give
them joy in every possible way as this helps in giving them more of healthy and a happy life long
living.
Reflective journals 10: Antyakshari
Significant events
As a worker in an old age home, I have been given the responsibility to take care of the elderly
inhabitants and engage them in activities that will help keep be active and help them socialize. I
have organised an activity- Antyakshari where people can sing songs and enjoy themselves.
Everybody has divided themselves in a team of two and props for the activity such a chits with
song names are created by the participants themselves.
How you feel and act at the time?
When the game started I started to enjoy a lot and seeing everyone enjoying themselves made me
a little overwhelmed. The feeling quickly went away as I was the organizer in between and was
checking on everyone, motivating everyone to play the game.
On reflection, change your action?
It is very evident that most people might not remember every song but that's not that matters.
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What matters is that people enjoy and feel good so instead of singing songs based on the last
letter of the previous song, I modified the game for them where they could sing any song they
like which made them really happy and everyone sang their favourite song one by one.
What you have learnt from the incident?
I learnt that everyone should start enjoy little things in life and should not wait for bigger things
to happen. Something as simple as singing songs could make someone's day. It is extremely
important to be grateful for all the things in life as life is short and it should not be wasted
worrying about the things that are not in our control.
CONCLUSION
As per the above discussion, it is well analysed that the reflective account or journals is helpful
for the promotion of experience and allow the reader to gain the understanding which is related
with the aspect of learning. In addition, work based experience within the report is usually focus
on the care home for the old people.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Callow, D.D., Arnold-Nedimala, N.A., Jordan, L.S., Pena, G.S., Won, J., Woodard, J.L. and
Smith, J.C., 2020. The mental health benefits of physical activity in older adults survive
the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28(10),
pp.1046-1057.
Eskimez, Z., Demirci, P.Y., TosunOz, I.K., Oztunç, G. and Kumas, G., 2019. Loneliness and
social support level of elderly people living in nursing homes. Int J Caring Sci, 12(1),
pp.465-474.
Karlsson, S., Ridbäck, A., Brobeck, E. and Norell Pejner, M., 2020. Health Promotion Practices
in Nursing for Elderly Persons in Municipal Home Care: An Integrative Literature
Review. Home Health Care Management & Practice, 32(1), pp.53-61.
Mikkelsen, A.S.B., Petersen, S., Dragsted, A.C. and Kristiansen, M., 2019. Social interventions
targeting social relations among older people at nursing homes: a qualitative synthesized
systematic review. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and
Financing, 56, p.0046958018823929.
Seddigh, M., Hazrati, M., Jokar, M., Mansouri, A., Bazrafshan, M.R., Rasti, M. and Kavi, E.,
2020. A comparative study of perceived social support and depression among elderly
members of senior day centers, elderly residents in nursing homes, and elderly living at
home. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 25(2), p.160.
Štefan, L., Vrgoč, G., Rupčić, T., Sporiš, G. and Sekulić, D., 2018. Sleep duration and sleep
quality are associated with physical activity in elderly people living in nursing
homes. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(11), p.2512.
Van Leeuwen, K.M., Van Loon, M.S., Van Nes, F.A., Bosmans, J.E., De Vet, H.C., Ket, J.C.,
Widdershoven, G.A. and Ostelo, R.W., 2019. What does quality of life mean to older
adults? A thematic synthesis. PloS one, 14(3), p.e0213263.
Zhang, S., Xiang, K., Li, S. and Pan, H.F., 2021. Physical activity and depression in older adults:
the knowns and unknowns. Psychiatry Research, 297, p.113738.
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