5 things to avoid when raising issues with a care home manager

Raising issues with a care home manager can be a sensitive matter but is important for ensuring the quality of care for a loved one. Here are five things to remember.

1. Don’t be vague: Be clear and specific and clearly outline the issue, providing specific examples, dates, and incidents if possible. This helps the manager understand the problem better and take appropriate action.
2. Don’t lose your temper: Stay calm and respectful even if the situation is frustrating, approach the conversation calmly and respectfully. This encourages a more productive dialogue and maintains a cooperative relationship.
3. Don’t lose sight of the desired outcome: Be as positive as you can and focus on the solutions, not just problems. While highlighting the issue, try to suggest possible solutions and ask for the manager's input on how it can be resolved. This shows you're working towards improvement, not just complaining.
4. Don’t rely on your memory: Document everything, including a record of your concerns that raised the issues, any communication with the care home, and the actions taken. This can be vital if the issue persists or needs to be escalated.
5. Don’t assume that everything will be dealt with: No matter how well things may have gone, follow up after raising issues to ensure the steps are being taken to address the matter. Following up also demonstrates you’re serious about resolving problems and is a key part of completing your own documentation.