Can you Celebrate Religion in Care Homes?

Yes, as the UK becomes more diverse, and as we age, the care home communities we live in will also become more varied. In fact, there are some care homes specifically catering to the needs of certain religions, such as those run by organisations like Jewish Care. Autumna’s advanced search facility allows you to search for care homes which are affiliated to specific faiths. 

The vast majority of care homes which you will visit may have residents from different religions (or none at all), but even if there are no residents from different faiths, it is increasingly common for homes to celebrate different religious festivals and occasions as part of their activities programme.

Why do care homes celebrate festivals from other cultures and religions?

There are a variety of reasons why care homes incorporate some of the key festivals such as Diwali, Chanuka or Eid into their activities calendar. These can include:

• Providing culturally-appropriate care 

  Respecting someone’s cultural norms and customs is part of providing person-centred care. The care home regulator, the Care Quality Commission, gives a number of examples of how this can be achieved. These include celebrating festivals with special food and entertainment.

• Encouraging understanding between residents and staff

  When a new person moves into a care community, it is natural for there to be a period of adjustment where everyone gets to know each other. This is true of both new residents and new staff members. 

  By enabling residents or staff from these cultures (be they the new person or an existing one) to share their knowledge and experience of the festival, a greater understanding and appreciation of each other can develop. 

  If the care home is a religious-specific one, cultural norms and celebrations are a way to form a common bond between staff and residents.

• Providing different experiences

  Celebrating festivals from a range of cultures allows residents to enjoy different celebrations which they may not have experienced before, and in doing so understand more about the culture. This is an enriching experience, which can be expanded to include ‘armchair travel’ sessions to learn more about the countries from which the festivals originated.

• Reminiscence

  Reminiscence is an important activity in care homes, as it has been shown to improve mood, reduce loneliness, and enhance cognitive functioning. By sharing memories of previous festivals and celebrations, residents can not only benefit from these positive effects but also give fellow residents a first-hand understanding of them.

How do care homes celebrate festivals?

• Themed food and drink – religious festivals often involve special delicacies. For some residents this will add to the reminiscence of celebrations in years gone by; for others, it will be the first time that they have tried this food and drink and so will introduce them to new tastes and traditions.   
  

• Entertainment and/or talks associated with the celebration, such as dancing, videos and talks. This can be done either by external speakers and entertainers, or by staff members and/or residents with knowledge of the culture. This enables the residents to be fully immersed not only in the decorations and food associated with the festival, but also with the other traditions which form part of it.

• Changing the day’s menu to include dishes associated with the celebration. Some homes change the entire days’ menu to reflect the festival (dietary requirements permitting), giving residents a holistic experience. Creating artwork and/or decorations associated with the celebration. This not only enables residents to learn more about the culture and the festival, it also allows the celebration to be extended over several days with preparations for the event.

Care homes that celebrate festivals

• Old Gates Care Home in Blackburn celebrated the Muslim festival Eid with a celebratory meal, decorations and some traditional music. The family of a resident wrote to the home to compliment them for going the extra mile to make Eid a joyful day for the home’s Muslim Residents.

• Jewish Care homes prepare for Chanukah by making decorations, enjoying traditional latkes and doughnuts, holding Chanukah reminiscence sessions, and lighting Chanukah candles each day.

Celebrating religious festivals in care facilities involves many staff, from the activities coordinators to the kitchen and care teams – sometimes even the maintenance team or the gardeners! But these multi-departmental efforts are always appreciated, as they increase and enhance the experiences of older people. 

As with every activity in a care home there is no obligation to participate in a religious festival, and those who choose to take part can do as much or as little as they wish. In an increasingly multicultural UK, the amount of religions and cultures we will encounter is bound to increase. Gaining an understanding of these, in whatever way we can, will only foster better relationships between us all.

Where do I start if I want to compare different care homes and what they have to offer?

If you are looking for nursing homes that cater for different faiths, then possibly the best place to start is with Autumna.

If you are hoping to find a residential home with an activities calendar that celebrates different religions, then again, using Autumna's additional filters will help you.

And don't forget, Autumna established the Choice Dining accreditation for retirement homes so, if you need a care home that offers a multi-cultured menu, then you'll find all the detail you need on Autumna.

If all you need at the moment is a general search for the best care home in your area based just on the care provided and cost, then completing this simple care assessment form will help you.

Who can I speak to if I want help finding a care home?

Of course, if you’d prefer to get help from a real life, friendly, human being, then you can always speak to our care advice helpline team. The number is: 01892 33 53 30 and the line is open 7 days a week (Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.30pm, Sat 10am – 5pm, Sun 10am – 4pm).

It’s important to note that Autumna's database accesses every one of the UK’s registered elder care providers. So that our guidance remains completely impartial, Autumna does not accept referral fees or commission payments from any care homes, home care agencies or retirement living operators.