Roseberry Care Homes Create Informative Hydration Boards to Boost Resident Well‑Being
In a proactive initiative, staff across Roseberry Care Homes have designed and installed their own hydration information boards to raise awareness about the importance of staying hydrated—especially among older residents.
Crafted by hand and tailored to each care home’s individual setting, the boards combine creativity with care, offering practical hydration advice, visual reminders, and motivational messages to encourage residents to drink more fluids throughout the day.
Why Hydration?
Hydration is a key factor in preventing a range of health complications such as urinary tract infections, dizziness, confusion, and constipation—all of which can significantly impact the quality of life for elderly individuals. These new boards provide:
- Easy-to-read guidance on daily fluid needs
- Friendly reminders for residents, staff, and visitors
- Personal touches, such as photos, quotes, and bright visuals to spark interest and discussion
A Staff-Driven Initiative
What makes the project unique is that it was entirely staff-led. Care assistants, nurses, and activity coordinators worked together to research, design, and decorate the boards using materials readily available in each home. Some even involved residents in decorating them, making the boards more engaging and familiar.
Promoting a Culture of Care
The initiative supports Roseberry’s wider mission of person-centred care, where every resident’s physical and emotional well-being is a priority. This follows on from the homes’ participation in Nutrition and Hydration Week earlier this year, which saw themed tea parties and educational activities rolled out across their sites.
Family members and visitors are also being encouraged to engage with the boards. Each includes tips on how loved ones can help support hydration during visits—such as offering drinks or reminding residents gently to sip throughout the day.
Looking Ahead
With positive feedback already pouring in, Roseberry Care Homes plan to expand the idea with seasonal updates to the boards, hydration-themed activities, and short workshops to keep the momentum going.
Beech Grove Care Home Takes Extra Steps: Focus on Falls and Caffeine Reduction
At Beech Grove Care Home, part of the Roseberry group, staff have taken the initiative even further by launching a second information board focused on falls prevention. This board highlights common causes of falls, offers tips on how to reduce risk, and encourages conversations between residents, staff, and families about safety.
To support this, Beech Grove is also trialling decaffeinated hot drinks throughout the day as part of their fall reduction strategy. The idea is based on research suggesting that reducing caffeine intake—especially in the afternoon and evening—can help improve sleep and reduce dehydration, both of which contribute to a lower fall risk in older adults.
