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Bariatric care

What is bariatric care?

Bariatric care is a specialised type of care and support designed for adults with obesity-related health conditions, who typically weigh 25 stone or more. Obesity is a complex health issue and can be the result of factors such as behaviour and genetics and requires specialist support to meet their needs. If an individual needs bariatric care, their condition is likely a result of inactivity, dietary patterns, or medications they have been prescribed, for example, steroids and anti-depressants, poor mental health, or a combination of these. 

Those who require bariatric care will need a specialist care environment and support. They are likely to be living with a series of challenges that impact their day-to-day life, health and well-being and may likely have some restricted movement and reach, which can make personal care difficult for them. The types of support they may need can include:

  • Stronger or heavy-duty beds, furniture, walking frames, commodes and shower chairs
  • Mobility assistance, including wider doorways and wider bath with a door or bath hoist
  • Specialist knowledge and training for care teams to provide compassionate support

 

How we deliver bariatric care at Belmont Healthcare

At Belmont Healthcare, our Bariatric Care teams provide specialist and compassionate bariatric care to ensure they can enjoy an improved quality of life in our homes.  We are trusted by families to provide care for all of life, evolving the level and type of care we provide to meet the changing needs of our residents and their families. 

Our respectful carers and nurses are trained to provide sensitive personal care with the utmost dignity. Skin care is vital to those who need bariatric care, as skin has heightened vulnerability to infection. Our team supports residents across our homes to maintain a good personal hygiene regime whilst closely monitoring any changes and responding appropriately. A nutritious and healthy diet is important, and our experienced chefs are there to support everyone to eat well and reach their dietary goals.

We work collaboratively with individuals and their families to develop a thorough care and support plan that accurately reflects a person’s holistic needs. And we work actively with our local authority partners, including NHS services, multidisciplinary teams, therapists, and other community bodies involved in a person’s care. This means we are well-informed to provide continuity of care, ensuring the right care is in place at the right time, throughout the individual’s care journey.

Hand Being Held Out to the Sun Hand Being Held Out to the Sun

Hand Being Held Out to the Sun

Why choose Belmont Healthcare for bariatric care?

We provide care that enables every person who requires bariatric care to live a happy and fulfilled life in the safety and comfort of our care homes. The care and support we provide will be guided by individuals and their families and tailored to their needs, giving you choice over how you live your life and the type of support you want. 

Our focus is on ensuring individuals live with comfort and enjoyment in their lives by creating a bariatric care plan that is specific to that individual’s needs, meaning they can enjoy activities and as much socialisation as they wish. Our teams also actively encourage individuals to learn new skills and engage in new hobbies to make life stimulating and meaningful. 

We are also committed to reducing the discrimination and stigmatisation of overweight people, especially those living in care homes. Obesity is increasing across all age groups, and in England, it is most common in people aged over 55.

Bariatric care FAQs

At Belmont Healthcare, we provide comprehensive residential care specifically designed for individuals with bariatric needs. Our services include 24-hour skilled nursing care, assistance with daily living activities using specialised techniques and equipment, nutritional support and meal planning, medication management, wound care and skin integrity monitoring, mobility assistance and safe transfers, and coordination with external medical specialists. We also offer occupational and physical therapy services, social activities adapted for bariatric residents, and family support and education programs.

Bariatric care may be appropriate if your loved one requires specialised support due to obesity-related health conditions and cannot safely remain at home. Key indicators include difficulty with mobility and transfers, requiring assistance with personal care, having multiple chronic conditions related to weight, needing specialised equipment for daily activities, experiencing social isolation due to mobility limitations, or when family caregivers can no longer provide adequate support safely.

Our admission process begins with an initial inquiry and pre-assessment conversation to understand your loved one’s needs. We then conduct a comprehensive assessment, either in-person or via detailed medical records review, to determine care requirements and ensure we can meet them safely. Following approval, we schedule a tour of our homes and discuss care plans.

Safety and comfort are our highest priorities. We maintain higher staff-to-resident ratios for bariatric care to ensure adequate assistance. Our facility features reinforced flooring, wider doorways and corridors, accessible bathrooms with grab bars and roll-in showers, and emergency response systems in all areas. We conduct regular safety assessments, implement individualised care plans that address specific risks, provide staff training on safe transfer techniques, and maintain emergency protocols adapted for bariatric residents.

Many of our homes are equipped with bariatric-specific equipment, including reinforced beds, specialised wheelchairs and mobility aids, ceiling-mounted and floor-based lift systems for safe transfers, bariatric commodes and shower chairs, pressure-relieving mattresses and cushions, adjustable overbed tables, and wide-seat recliners. We also have specialised medical equipment such as bariatric blood pressure cuffs, scales with higher weight limits, and wider examination tables.

Yes, all our staff receive comprehensive training in bariatric care. This includes education on dignity and respect in care delivery, safe transfer and mobility techniques, understanding of obesity-related health conditions, proper use of specialised equipment, recognising and preventing complications, effective communication strategies, and emergency procedures specific to bariatric residents. 

We provide both on-site and coordinated physical therapy services tailored to bariatric residents’ needs. Our programs focus on improving mobility and strength, maintaining or increasing range of motion, balance and fall prevention training, transfer training for safety, pain management techniques, and respiratory therapy when needed.

Mental and emotional support is integral to our care approach. We provide access to counselling services and support groups, both individual and group therapy options, social activities designed to promote interaction and engagement, recreational therapy programs, spiritual care services, and family counselling when appropriate. Our staff are trained to recognise signs of depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal, and we work to create an inclusive, supportive community environment.

Any questions?

Whether you need help with how to choose a care home, would like a quote or have a question, we’re happy to reply to you by email or call you back at a time to suit you.

Simply fill in the form and a member of our team will be in touch, or you can call us on the contact number provided below.

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