Forty leaders expressed their interest in improving the experience of residents moving into the care home setting and subsequently all forty participated in the Transitions Quality Improvement (QI) initiative. The leaders were supported throughout the series of workshops by Dr Marie O’Neill’s extensive research into transitions along with her guidance in helping to translate the research into Best Practice. is a process rather than a ‘one-off’ event, and that process is about ‘adaptation’.

The leaders explored with their residents, staff and relatives what was working well in terms of the move into the care home, what has not worked so well, and how can the experience be improved. As a result from the feedback, the overall group split into three groups: one group focused on QI initiative from the perspective of residents, the second group focused on the perspective of staff, and the third the perspective of relatives. Although three different perspectives, the one unifying thread running through all of them was the importance of emotional connection and psychological support by staff for residents and their relatives.

Leaders thought creatively about how best to welcome prospective residents and families and provide information. Several liaised with local pharmacies to develop a ‘Welcome Pack’ consisting of an ornate basket with toiletries and items for personal hygiene for the new resident. The pack also consists of information about the care home,Leaders in other care settings implemented care passports and provided staff training. MHL tools and approaches were used to capture residents’ and staff members’ feedback which was subsequently recorded on a “Boarding Pass” using verbatim quotes.residents felt understood and valued by the staff which created a bond and helped ease their transition. Staff reported forming deeper emotional connections with residents facilitated by the care passports and the MHL tools and approaches.

Several leaders created videos of their care home which are particularly helpful where someone is unable to visit the Home, pre-admission. They also developed increase in compliments with no complaints related to transitions. Many homes noted that relatives now call staff by their names more often, and this has helped to create a more homely atmosphere with open communication between staff and relatives.