Pre-Admission Process

Pre-Admission Process

Primary Theme: Facilitating Transitions

Secondary Theme: Shared Decision Making

Cohort 1 (2014/2015)

Project Title

Pre-admission process

Aim of Project

To promote a more positive transition process for people moving into a care home.

Description of the Intervention

Participant's introduced a new apprach to the pre-admission assessment process.  This quality improvement initiative was designed t facilitate a more positive transitin to life in a care home.  This focused on the everyday rituals, routines, likes and dislikes of prospective residents and put systems in place to ensure that these were maintained and respected after the move to a care home.  The revised assessment includes a selection on 'Thoughts and feelings about the move' whereby the nurse undertaking the pre-admission assessment asks both the resident and the relative how they are feeling about the move to a care home.  The work was guided by Professor Assumpta Ryan's early research into the experiences of families follwoing the nursing home placement of an older relative (Ryan & McKenna, 2013; Ryan & McKenna, 2015).

utputs from this group include a revisd assessment protocol and the production of a short film, both of which serve as education tools for best practice.

Who was involved

Residents, families, staff.

Which MHL Tools where used and how?

Emotional touchpoints were central to this initiative.

Changes Implemented

The project introduced a revised pre-admission assessment process dsigned to move beyone a task-focused apprach and place greater emphasis on understanding the person behind the process.

Changes Included

1. Exploring Everyday Life and Personal Preferences

The assessment was expanded to gather information about prospective residents' everyday rituals, routines, preferences, interests, and dislikes. This information was used to help ensure continuity of lifestyle and preserve familiar aspects of daily living following admission.

2. Introducing a "Thoughts and Feelings About the Move" Section

A new section was added to the assessment process asking both residents and family members how they felt about the move to a care home. This created a safe space for emotional conversations and acknowledged the significance of the transition experience.

3. Strengthening Relationships Before Admission

The revised approach encouraged meaningful conversations between staff, prospective residents and families before admission, helping to build trust, rapport and understanding from the outset.

4. Development of Educational Resources

To support wider implementation and learning, the project produced a revised assessment protocol alongside educational resources, including a film illustrating best practice in supporting positive transitions to life in a care home.

Evidence of Impact/outcomes

Staff gained a richer understanding of the individual's preferences, routines and personal history, enabling more personalised care planning.

Families reported feeling more involved and valued during the admission process. One family member commented; "this is the first time somebody asked me how I feel".

Assessment Form (An Exemplar) - A Day in the Life of Brigid 

Here is a link to download a copy of the exemplar assessment form A Day in the Life of Brigid, this accompanies the film above.