About
Find out how it started and learn about the core work of My Home Life Northern Ireland.
Find out more about this International initiative
MHL has worked with over 60 academic researchers from universities across the UK to develop the evidence base for quality of life in care homes (NCHR&D Forum, 2007).
The review of evidence explored ‘what residents want from care homes’ and ‘what practices work in care homes’.
Leadership Support Programme
My Home Life Northern Ireland (MHLNI) aims to improve the quality of life for people living, dying, visiting and working...
Quality Improvement
The My Home Life movement embraces the opportunity to support each other and to share resources and examples of good...
Research and Impact
Find out how the My Home Life programme has been making an impact in Northern Ireland:
News & Events
My Home News & Life events.
Contact
Contact information for the my homelife team. You can contact us directly or via our social media channels.
Best practice themes
My Home Life principles are underpinned by an evidence base.
Thousands of care home practitioners are now using this vision for quality of life to support their practice.
Eight best practice themes were identified which were then translated into a conceptual framework for use by the care home sector to inform and support practice:
Maintaining Identity
Working creatively with residents to maintain their sense of personal identity and engage in meaningful activity.
Sharing Decision-making
Facilitating informed risk-taking and the involvement of residents, relatives and staff in shared decision-making in all aspects of home life.
Creating Community
Optimising relationships between and across staff, residents, family, friends and the wider local community.
Encouraging a sense of security, continuity, belonging, purpose, achievement and significance for all.
Facilitating Transitions
Supporting people both to manage the loss and upheaval associated with going into a home and help them to move forward.
Improving Health and Healthcare
Ensuring adequate access to healthcare services and promoting health to optimise residents’ quality of life.
Supporting Good End of Life
Valuing the ‘living’ and ‘dying’ in care homes and helping residents to prepare for a ‘good death’ with the support of their families.
Developing the Workforce
Identifying and meeting ever-changing training needs within the care home workforce.
Promoting a Positive Culture
Developing leadership, management and expertise to deliver a culture of care where care homes are seen as a positive option.
What care home managers in Northern Ireland have said about the programme
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It (MHL) recognises the very valuable work and care the homes provide
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I enjoyed and benefited from the programme immensely, even just to spend time with other managers and work through things together
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We’ve all got the same kind of problems, it’s great to know you’re not alone and when we talk through the problems, the solutions become clearer.
