The April Clarity Checklist: A Spring Clean for Your Care Routines

Time to spring clean your care routines?

April has a way of encouraging us to take stock. It’s the season for shaking off the dust, clearing out the clutter, and giving everything a bit of a reset. So why not do the same with your care routines? We interviewed some care homes to get their perspective.

This checklist isn’t about what you should be doing—it’s simply a set of prompts to help reflect, refocus, and perhaps refresh the way care is being recorded, shared, and delivered day to day.

 

✅ 1. Are Care Plans Clear and Useful?

Try reading a care plan from the perspective of someone new to the home. Would they get a good sense of the person from the plan alone? Or would they need to ask around to really understand how to support them?

One team told us they started reviewing one plan a week together—not as an audit, but just to ask, “Does this still feel right?” It helped highlight what was missing or what could be said more simply.

✅ 2. Is Documentation Helping or Hindering?

We all know documentation is vital—but it shouldn’t come at the cost of time spent with residents. It’s worth asking the team how they feel about current routines:

• Are forms being filled out because they’re meaningful—or because they’re required?

• Are people duplicating information?

• Could anything be simplified?

Often, even small tweaks—like clearer shift notes or reducing overlap—can take the pressure off.

✅ 3. When Was the Last Time You Asked “Why Are We Doing It This Way?”

Sometimes routines stick not because they work, but because no one’s thought to question them. Taking a fresh look at everyday tasks might uncover a better way of doing things.

One senior carer shared how simply reordering their morning routine helped a resident feel more relaxed—just by allowing a gentler start to their day. No big change, just a small shift that made a difference.

✅ 4. Are There Enough Moments of Joy?

In the busyness of care delivery, the joyful moments can get pushed aside. But joy matters—it helps residents feel connected, and teams feel rewarded.

Looking at your activity calendar, does it reflect your current residents? Are the quieter, more introverted individuals being considered? Are there spontaneous opportunities for fun?

To help, we’ve created a April Activity Calendar with key dates, ideas, and little moments to celebrate—without adding to anyone’s workload.

✅ 5. Are You Acknowledging What’s Going Well?

Finally, clarity doesn’t just mean spotting what’s missing. It also means recognising the things that are already working—and giving yourself credit for them.

April is a good time to pause, breathe, and notice the things that are going right. A calm morning. A positive handover. A resident laughing during a music session.

These are the things that make a difference—and they’re worth celebrating.