We have just had a ding dong with senior at care home regarding spending lunch time there. This is supposed to be a home not a buisiness
Visiting Rules in care home
- Thread starter Maggietyler1963
- Start date
Hello @Maggietyler1963 and welcome to DTP.
I could visit mum in her care home whenever I wished
Is this a general rule for all visitors to all the residents, or is there a particular reason eg your person with dementia isnt eating while you are there?
I could visit mum in her care home whenever I wished
Is this a general rule for all visitors to all the residents, or is there a particular reason eg your person with dementia isnt eating while you are there?
Welcome to the forum. You don't give a lot of info but does the home have a strict 'no visiting at meal times' policy? I know that some homes would prefer that visitors avoid meal times as it can disrupt the routine but my Mum's home welcomes visitors at anytime. I frequently visit Mum during meal times and give her her food, freeing up the staff to spend more time with others who need more help. Hopefully you can come to some arrangement with the care home staff to avoid any future fall outs.
My mother-in-law was in a care home last year and family were welcome at any reasonable time
Hello @Maggietyler1963
A warm welcome to DTP
I hope the resident wasn't upset
Personally I would have a quiet chat with the manager tomorrow and ask what are the expectations around mealtimes and indeed any other times ... explaining that you would prefer to be able to visit and even eat with your resident (I did this at times but always let the staff know beforehand)
Weekends can be a bit fraught with more visitors and probably only one member of the management team available
A warm welcome to DTP
I hope the resident wasn't upset
Personally I would have a quiet chat with the manager tomorrow and ask what are the expectations around mealtimes and indeed any other times ... explaining that you would prefer to be able to visit and even eat with your resident (I did this at times but always let the staff know beforehand)
Weekends can be a bit fraught with more visitors and probably only one member of the management team available
I've never understood "protected mealtimes". Who are they protecting from what? Surely it helps some people to eat with their family or at least have them around to help them? Of course, you shouldn't maybe turn up five of you with babies in tow, but shutting family out of mealtimes is absurd.
Some homes such as my wife's operate a protected meal time system to preserve the dignity of all residents. All of the ones I looked at had such a policy. Given notice - even on the day - I am able to stay with my wife and could have a meal. This is served not in the dining room with the other residents but in a separate space. This was explained before my wife's admission. I don't see it as a problem or unreasonable.
Last edited:
I`m sure there are reasons for protected mealtimes in a communal dining room.
Some residents may become distracted if too many people are in the room.
Some visitors could be inconsiderate of other residents.
Some behaviours at mealtime may be challenging.
It`s always wise to consult with managers rather than presume.
It is a home, but sadly because it is not a service provided by an LA it is a business.
Some residents may become distracted if too many people are in the room.
Some visitors could be inconsiderate of other residents.
Some behaviours at mealtime may be challenging.
It`s always wise to consult with managers rather than presume.
It is a home, but sadly because it is not a service provided by an LA it is a business.
It was put to me that some residents may have difficulty eating which can manifest in unusual behaviours. Those residents, or their representatives, may not wish others to witness these behaviours as they may seem odd and undignified. A care home should be home to every resident. Accepting the need for privacy during meal times may be more important than having a right to visit during those times.
I think that if a policy with regards visits at mealtimes was explained prior to admission then fair enough - people can choose to accept it or go elsewhere. It's not clear from the original post what the background to the 'ding dong' is though - is this is new policy that's just been introduced or something that has been in place since admission, and have the home explained the reasons for this?
the protected meal time policy is supposed to be used to stop none urgent clinical care as in nurses visits not to stop anyone having a meal with the family .
Yes, I think that's the reasoning behind the 'protected mealtime' policy in NHS hospitals but what's the actual policy at the care home you visit and have they explained why the policy is in place? If not, as has been previously suggested, best to have a chat with the manger to find out the specific reasons why they don't want visits during mealtimes.
This may be so but it is not the only reason. It is also to protect the privacy and dignity of residents as @northumfrian_k has observed.
I am about to start a complaint with cqc and the local gov ombudsman regarding visit restrictions specially regarding protected meal time policy. this is not personal centred care, everyone in a care home should be treated as if they was at home, I believe it goes against human rights to stop any resident having a meal with family or friends and if they don't want you in the dining room they should screen of a table for those family members who want to visit at meal times. I don't believe for one second it's because the residents don't like it and get challenging, or that it distracts the staff, if anything it helps the staff as i would be feeding my mum making a staff member free to do someone else. I am sorry to say it but it's more to do with the home/nurses not wanting you to witness what goes on at mealtimes. I am going to fight this all the way how dare they take away a residents right to a basic family life. I am a care assistant and i know how hard the job is but there is no excuse for the things i have witnessed in the care home my mother is in. I am scared to move her as shes only just moved in after her last home closed down. but my mother has gone from a clean tidy little lady sitting in her chair to a dishevelled mess that smells like a wet dog. If i could id be there every second of everyday to make sure shes being cared for.
Hi.I have also worked in homes all over the County(Cornwall)some homes do have a meal time policy to protect the residents.If all families chose to come at meal times can you imagine the chaos?...Also as you know some residents will get up and walk away from the table and just go and do whatever they like.Not everybody will eat at a table.. There is never enough staff usually ,plus some of the staff will be running trays to rooms for people who don’t want to come to the table.People who have dietary needs(assisted to feed ,or who are at risk of aspiration are normally in the dining room)...As much as you want to allow a member of staff to be free to support another resident ,maybe they are worried that if your mother has a problem with eating and you are assisting her it could cause a problem...After all they are the ones with a Duty of Care and would be held accountable...
My mothers home ask for advance notice if wanting to eat with Mum so they can let the kitchen know but there is no issue staying with during mealtimes if I want to do so.
I can however appreciate that mealtimes are especially busy times for staff having to also help deliver meals to rooms, as well as feed those who can't feed themselves.
So I try to avoid staying for meals unless I'm eating with Mum.
In fact its often a good time to leave her as she has something to focus on so I'll often visit before a meal and leave as they are serving up.
I can however appreciate that mealtimes are especially busy times for staff having to also help deliver meals to rooms, as well as feed those who can't feed themselves.
So I try to avoid staying for meals unless I'm eating with Mum.
In fact its often a good time to leave her as she has something to focus on so I'll often visit before a meal and leave as they are serving up.
This is an interesting thread. My dads in a hospital atm. They have protected meal times as I think they consider it therapy time. Or dad has difficulty with his focus, others are receiving support to increase their independence. I can understand why visitors are not allowed and we respect our presence may make it worse. I would though not agree that a blanket policy is appropriate. I wouldn’t place my dad in a home that had that and I would argue lack of flexibility means that home is not providing an appropriate provision to meet Dads needs. As said he has the right to a family home and it is his life there. I would expect flexibility ie with notice, separate room etc.
