There are over 17,600 care homes in the UK, and many are located in old buildings. So there is a regular need for these homes to be refurbished to ensure residents continue to receive quality care. Specialist care home building contractors can help transform old care homes into modern and functional facilities.
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, many families and older people have lost confidence in the care sector. Many are now opting for in-home care rather than residential care homes. According to the Social Care Institute for Excellence, occupancy levels have fallen from 87% to 81% in residential care homes. Although the care home sector is starting to recover, occupancy levels are still a worry to care home providers. A refurbishment can offer a solution by attracting more residents to the home.
If you’re a care home provider considering a refurbishment, you might be unsure if the time, cost, and stress will be worthwhile. This guide will cover everything you need to know about care home refurbishment to help you make an informed choice.
Care home refurbishments vary depending on the state of the building and the needs of the residents. The refurbishment might include major structural alterations if the building is in very poor condition. They may also include extensions or new buildings. However, many care home refurbishments focus more on remodelling the inside of the existing building.
A typical care home refurbishment could include:
There are many benefits of undertaking a care home refurbishment for providers.
A refurbishment will help to improve your home’s reputation and make it a more highly regarded establishment. This will help you attract experienced and qualified staff who can provide exceptional care.
By improving the facilities and offering a higher standard of care, you can increase occupancy rates by attracting more residents. In turn, this will increase profits and allow you to spend more money on updating and improving the home in the future.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regularly inspects care homes and delivers ratings from ‘Inadequate’ to ‘Outstanding’. In 2021 according to CQC data, 14% of UK residential care homes required improved services and facilities. This gives older people and their families confidence that your home has the facilities to meet their needs.
Of course, the primary reason for undertaking a refurbishment should be to improve the well-being of residents and ensure a better quality of life.
Refurbishments can dramatically improve the standard of facilities in care homes through improved space configuration. For example, introducing a more spacious and easily accessible communal area will allow residents to socialise and encourage interaction.
Facilities need to be regularly updated with the latest equipment. Refurbishment allows residents to receive the highest standard of care possible. A refurbishment might take into consideration residents’ sensory issues. Purpose-built sensory rooms might be constructed to help with conditions such as dementia.
Undergoing a care home renovation also ensures that residents live safely and comfortably. Care homes should feel warm and welcoming rather than cold and clinical. For example, patterned and wood effect floors with slip ratings can help residents feel at home. Renovations can also introduce safety features such as custom-built fire doors with room for hoists.
We’re a reliable and professional construction team with over two decades of experience. We handle all elements of the construction process across northern England, from design and planning to project management. Client satisfaction is the driving force behind our company, and we strive for excellence in all our projects.
Jupiter Construction uses a client-focussed ‘one team’ team approach. Regular communication with clients and designers ensures the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the client’s high standards. After 25 years in the industry, we have developed valuable relationships with many subcontractors and suppliers. We use our reliable supply chain to ensure we deliver the highest level of service.
Our team of commercial, educational, and healthcare building contractors have completed a wide range of projects. Jupiter Construction's services include building contractors, principal contractors, and design and build.
We are specialist care home contractors, and Jupiter Construction has recently completed Westgarth Care Home. We completely revived this previously neglected building and developed it into a respite facility for adults with learning difficulties. This involved completely refurbishing the existing building, including entirely stripping the roof and upgrading the electrical and heating systems. It also included constructing a new building to house visitors’ rooms.
If you’re a care home provider who’s considering undertaking a refurbishment project, get in touch with us today. We will be happy to answer any questions you have about the unique challenges of care home renovation and how our experienced team can help.
