National Care Home Open Day to raise awareness of residential homes

Hundreds of care homes across the country are set to open their doors to the public to show people what they are really about.

National Care Home Open Day will be held on 21 June and is being backed by care and support minister Norman Lamb, the Alzheimer’s Society, the Care Quality Commission, NAPA and the Social Care Institute for Excellence.

The aim of the event is to showcase everything that is good about care homes and banish the images generated by negative press.

One of the homes taking part is Bupa’s Parkside House Nursing Home in Reading, which is inviting people to join staff and residents at the home from 11.30am for a variety of fun activities, including bingo and musical entertainment.

Lizzy Gondo, home manager, said: “This initiative is a fantastic way for the local people to see how our residents live on a day to day basis, and see for themselves just how inspiring care home life is. We all work so hard to ensure that residents feel this is a home from home and that they live happily as individuals – hopefully people will see this through the activities at this event and we’d love it if people took part.

“I speak for both the resident and staff when I say we are all thoroughly looking forward to meeting new faces and welcoming everyone into our lovely home.”

For more information about National Care Home Open Day and how to get involved, visit www.nationalcarehomeopenday.org.uk.