Stepping Out Blog

Carers involved with Semi Independent Living environments need to be aware of certain strategies when it comes to introducing and enforcing house rules.

Here at Stepping Out, we have been creating and managing semi-independent living projects for many years. Throughout our history, we have thankfully been able to produce some extremely positive outcomes for a number of both young people and adults.

For introducing and enforcing house rules in such environments, here are a few simple, but effective tips:

1) Explain the Benefits

Instead of focusing on the harm rule breaking brings, try to incorporate the goodness that following rules can bring about. Smoking indoors for example, is now against the Law. However, be sure to follow this up by mentioning how smoking outdoors will help keep the house and the service users clothes smelling better.

Putting this beneficial twist on rules can often make the resident want to keep things in order. Also, it allows you to come across friendlier – even when you’re explaining restrictions.

2) Be Stern Yet Balanced

When explaining and enforcing the house rules, be stern. If certain rule breaking comes with consequences, be sure to carry out those consequences without fail.

However, it’s also important to find a balance. Try not to impose too many unnecessary rules. Set out guidelines to keep the house in order, but don’t go overboard with the nitty gritties.

Also, offer the young person or adult a way to reconcile, perhaps by taking up another chore. So, if they use foul language for example, they can take out the bins to make up for their behaviour.

3) Offer Incentives Where Possible

To encourage residents to stick to the rules, offer them incentives and rewards. One week without breaking a house rule for example, entitles them to rent a movie. The incentives can of course be tailored to each service user, depending on their needs and wants.

By offering incentives, you’re acting intelligently to pre-empt rule breakage. Instead of having to react with punishments, incentives allow you to keep rules unbroken in the first place.

About Stepping Out: We provide comprehensive semi independent living services throughout North London & Hertfordshire. Our projects are located close to transport links and local amenities, and are staffed up to 24 hours a day offering a high level, structured and supervised group living arrangement.

Do you have any suggestions or strategies for when it comes to introducing and enforcing house rules in semi independent living environments? Let us know in the comments below.

Dementia is the biggest social care problem facing the UK population today. According to a recent Guardian article, cultural discrimination is becoming an issue when it comes to UK Dementia services – albeit unintentionally.

The report claims that:

“The Centre for Policy on Ageing and the Runnymede Trust applied well-established dementia prevalence rates to census data, which estimated there are almost 25,000 people with dementia from BAME communities in England and Wales (PDF). This number is expected to grow to nearly 50,000 by 2026 and 172,000 by 2051, which is almost a seven-fold increase in 40 years. This compares to a two-fold increase in the number of people with dementia across the whole UK population in the same time period.”

The Race Equality Foundation commented on the article:

“Great article! It’s important that the increasing attention being given to dementia does not exclude issues surrounding black and minority ethnic communities, particularly since there is evidence that symptoms may emerge earlier in these groups.”

As a result of these findings, the Alzheimer’s Society is developing tailored programmes to support families from different cultures.

The Society is working on a number of culturally tailored services including information services, singing sessions and peer support groups.

Their programme comprises a series of face-to-face sessions and an educational DVD to take home and share with family members. Initial consultations have to date been held with 120 people with dementia, carers and professionals. The Pilots began in Enfield, Coventry, Leicester, Bradford and Rochdale in March 2014, with plans to roll out similar services to a further 15 locations later in the year.

What are your thoughts on ethnic minority representation in Dementia care?