In this episode of Care CEO Success Stories Podcast, Adam James of Springup PR talks with Helen Jones, CEO of Allegra Care, a care home provider with adheres to a “household model” of care.
Originally from Australia, Helen began her career in 1998 after transitioning from a background in international rescue and national roadside assistance.
Helen has held leadership positions with private providers, church and charitable groups, and community-owned organisations, overseeing 100 nursing homes, 20-30 retirement villages, and 55,000 home care clients.
Drawing from her research and international travel, Helen developed the “household model” of care, now being implemented at Allegra Care’s 13 homes across England.
The model emphasises creating smaller, more intimate care environments which create a sense of belonging and encourages residents to engage more fully with their environment and the people around them and has seen improved well-being for residents, better mobility and improved sleep.
Helen’s approach has garnered significant recognition and today, she shares the secrets behind her success including:
- How Allegra Care has implemented the household model of care, which focuses on creating smaller, more intimate care units of about 16 residents.
- How the household model emphasises autonomy and familiar routines for residents, “making them feel more at home”.
- The development of the household model after conducting research, focus groups with placement decision-makers, and visits to international care providers.
- How residents in the household model show improved well-being, with significant weight gain (4.2 kilos on average) and better skin integrity.
- The use of domestic kitchens where food is prepared in front of residents, “creating a more homely and interactive environment”.
- How residents can assist with meal preparation and “enjoy a more sensory, social experience around mealtimes”.
- The importance of training staff to develop both “competency and confidence” in working closely with residents, “fostering more personal relationships”.
- How the team at Allegra Care work within smaller, consistent households, building strong relationships with residents and “contribute to a more stable and familiar environment”.
- Greater flexibility in meeting the needs of local communities and individual residents.
- Why not every care home can easily adopt the household model, but small design adjustments can be made to start incorporating aspects of it, such as using smaller food preparation spaces.
- Why Helen believes that, at its core, the household model creates a “more relaxed, personalised, and community-driven environment for both residents and staff”.
- The focus on daily activities and personal decisions is key, with residents “empowered to make more choices about their day-to-day lives”.