Care Recipient Wellbeing Metrics: A Guide for Carers

Ensuring the well-being of our care recipients is a fundamental aspect of caregiving. One of the key tools used to assess their daily health and comfort is the Wellbeing Metrics. However, some carers have expressed concerns about accurately completing these records. To provide clarity, this article outlines the essential guidelines for filling out Wellbeing Metrics correctly and effectively.

The Wellbeing Metrics are designed to track important aspects of a care recipient's daily routine, physical state, and emotional well-being. Accurate reporting allows for better care planning, timely interventions, and overall improved care recipient support. Below are key areas carers should focus on when completing these records:

Care recipient's meal intake should be recorded based on five key eating times throughout the day: breakfast, mid-morning snack (e.g., fruit salad, biscuits, tea), lunch, tea-time snack (e.g., cake, biscuits, tea), and dinner/supper. If a care recipient, for example, skips breakfast but eats a mid-morning snack, lunch, a tea-time snack, and supper, the correct entry would be 4 meal/snack times. Accurately noting this helps monitor dietary habits, hydration, and potential nutritional concerns.

Also, the expectation will be that the carer makes a clear note of what options were offered for meal times and what was chosen by the care recipient, as well as how much of their portion they have actually eaten. It is very important to have all this information, as it allows us to see patterns in care recipients eating more/less and gives us the ability to implement solutions for this.

Comfort levels should reflect how the care recipient feels throughout the day. If they are mostly comfortable but experience occasional discomfort, the entry should capture this fluctuation throughout the day and as a carer, you would use your judgement to choose the level of comfort that best describes your care recipient’s day. If you choose anything less than 9 on this scale, we expect to find further information to support this choice, in the care notes. Please make sure you understand the importance of relaying the correct information in enough detail, in your notes. If you are unsure about the comfort level metrics and how to use this, please contact the office for further guidance.

Physical activity is crucial for overall well-being. When recording exercise levels, carers should consider activities such as:

Even light movements should be noted, as they contribute to the care recipient's mobility and health. Each care recipient is very different in regards to their mobility and exercise they can undertake, so please consider this from your care recipient’s perspective.

For example if Mrs Smith is bedbound and throughout the day, she has completed exercises for her legs and arms with assistance, that would be possibly an 8 or 9 on the scale for these metrics. But, if Mr Jones is fully mobile, then the exact same exercises will only qualify as a 6 maybe, and you would want them to also have a walk and engage all the muscles to improve or maintain mobility.

Mood tracking provides insight into a person’s emotional and mental state. When recording this, carers should observe whether the care recipient was:

Consistently monitoring mood changes can help identify signs of distress or emotional well-being concerns. As a carer, you must use your own judgement to decide what number best represents the care recipient’s mood for the whole day. If you are unsure about the comfort level matrix and how to use this, please contact the office for further guidance.

Bowel movements are a key indicator of digestive health. Carers should record the actual number of times a care recipient has had a bowel movement during the day. This information is vital in detecting potential issues like constipation or digestive irregularities. If you are unsure about the comfort level metrics and how to use this, please contact the office for further guidance.

Sleep plays a significant role in a person’s overall health. When assessing sleep quality, consider:

A well-rested care recipient is more likely to have stable moods and better physical health, therefore it is crucial to use your judgement when recording this and be as accurate as possible or contact the office if you are unsure. If your care recipient has had a poor quality night sleep, please record as much detail as possible in your notes and consider if it requires reporting to the office the next morning.

Wellbeing Metrics are not just numbers—they provide a comprehensive picture of a care recipient’s health. Proper documentation helps caregivers and healthcare professionals detect patterns, address concerns early, and tailor care plans to improve quality of life.

By following these guidelines, carers can ensure that Wellbeing Metrics are clear, consistent, and reliable, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the care recipients.

If you need further clarification or assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your dedication and commitment to our care recipient’s well-being are truly valued.