Care home social isolation

Residents in care homes being at risk of social isolation due to an insufficient provision of engaging activities.

100 items 8 sources 1 inquiry
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Where this theme appears

Care home social isolation has been flagged across 8 independent accountability sources:

1 inquiry rec 4 PFD reports 4 committee recs 35 CQC actions 38 IMB recs 2 Article 2 learning points 2 PHSO decisions 14 LGO/SPSO decisions

When the same issue appears across inquiries, coroner reports, and regulators independently, it indicates a recurring issue across the public record.

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Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.

Sheila Graham
16 Nov 2018 · Stoke-on-Trent & North Staffordshire
Concerns: Prolonged social isolation for a patient with C. difficile negatively impacted her well-being, compounded by inadequate nutritional information recording and assessment.
Overdue
Charlotte Duffield
05 Oct 2021 · Cumbria
Concerns: Adult Social Care failed to take appropriate safeguarding action despite significant police concerns, only attempting telephone contact and sending a letter, without making any physical visit to a vulnerable individual.
Response (Cumbria County Council): The Council has reviewed self-neglect policies, revised operational practice guidance, implemented a countywide operational Safeguarding Adults service, and is delivering training sessions; a practice learning session will be undertaken with …
Responded
Helena Opuku
12 Oct 2021 · East London
Concerns: Social services struggled to properly investigate safeguarding referrals, appoint social workers within a reasonable timeframe, or conduct timely home suitability assessments for vulnerable residents.
Overdue
Margaret Stringer
17 Jun 2022 · Blackpool and Fylde
Concerns: The care home lacked a documented system to restrict access to harmful items for at-risk residents and staff training on isolation's impact. Crucially, there were significant failures in transferring vital suicide risk information between agencies during patient handover.
Response (Adult Community Social Care): LCC will review the format of its overview document in line with the adoption of a strength based approach framework, which is planned to be rolled out across all Adult …
Response (Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust): BTHFT will collaborate with LSCFT and LCC to examine LSCFT's Admission, Discharge and Transfer of Care Policy and Procedure, to ensure that all relevant information, including suicide risk, is known, …
Response (DAC Beachcroft): Nightingale's has implemented a new pre-admissions checklist covering relevant assessments, and will no longer admit residents with a similar history to Ms Stringer without 1:1 care. All staff receive training …
Responded
#7 —
Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation: With many people preferring to stay living at home if diagnosed with dementia, it is vital that any future Government strategies for dementia support this becoming a reality. Initiatives such as Dementia Friends and dementia-friendly communities have successfully increased awareness …
No Published Response
#2 — Rural isolation creates significant mental health challenges for residents and agricultural workers.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation: While experience of nature and the countryside is consistently identified as potentially beneficial for people’s mental health, our evidence is equally clear that the isolation inherent in rural living poses a significant challenge to the mental health of those who …
Gov response: We recognise that those living and working in rural areas may face specific challenges in accessing the mental health services that they need.
Not Addressed
#8 —
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: DHSC told us it recognised that advising people to stay inside and away from society does have risks as well as benefits. Of those surveyed, some 36% reported worsening mental health and wellbeing while shielding.14 Charities also told us of …
Gov response: 1.3 There are other non-clinically vulnerable groups who also faced difficulties during the pandemic. It was not appropriate to advise these groups to shield, and consequently were not eligible for shielding support, but other support …
Not Addressed
#33 —
Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation: Joining a sports club, community walking club or a leisure centre is a wonderful way to meet new people in the community and to make connections. When local people come together through sport and physical activity, further benefits follow, from …
Response Pending
Oaklands Care Home
People were at risk of social isolation due to a lack of activities on offer to them.
Must Do
Walnut Close
The provider did not always support people to avoid social isolation and partake in meaningful activities.
Must Do
Darenth Grange Residential Home
The provider should offer a wider range of opportunities for people to engage in social activities.
Should Do
Oaklands Care Home
The provider must ensure people are not at risk of social isolation due to the lack of activities and meaningful interactions available to them.
Must Do
The Peter Gidney Neurodisability Centre
There was a lack of meaningful activities for some people.
Must Do
Newland House
People's individual needs were not being met in relation to the provision of activities and social stimulation.
Must Do
The Croft
People did not have access to their own personal allowances, petty cash or transport to enable them to access the community.
Should Do
Oakleigh House Nursing Home
There was a lack of appropriate activities offered which would meet people's needs. Regulation 9 (1) (a) (b).
Must Do
Bellevue Healthcare Limited
The provider must ensure people's privacy and dignity are consistently maintained, and that people are not isolated and have appropriate means to communicate and call for assistance.
Must Do
Chandos Lodge Nursing Home
The service seeks advice and guidance from a reputable source about the provision of meaningful interaction and engagement.
Should Do
WhiteHorse Care - Brownhills
Further improvements were needed to the range of activities and opportunities for people.
Should Do
Walnut Close
The service's quality assurance systems did not identify shortfalls regarding people's social needs, the environment and mental capacity assessments.
Must Do
The Lilacs Residential Home
The provider should ensure that there is a dedicated activities person to ensure people are supported to take part in activities that are socially and culturally relevant to them.
Should Do
The Elms
We recommend the provider continues to review social activities in the service to promote people's emotional and mental wellbeing.
Should Do
St. David's Home
We recommend the provider consider current guidance on the provision of meaningful activities to promote people's wellbeing and review their practices accordingly.
Should Do
Oak Tree Manor
When supporting people living with dementia they may need to consider being more creative for people who had become more of a challenge to get engaged in activity and communication to avoid social isolation.
Should Do
Meads House Residential Care Home
We recommend that the provider seeks advice and guidance from a reputable source to ensure that the activities offered are more conducive to people living with dementia on a daily basis.
Should Do
Lauren Court Residential Care Home
We recommend the provider reviews how to engage and support people who choose to remain in their bedroom.
Should Do
Hamilton House
We recommend the provider researches and develops the social opportunities for people living with dementia and mental health in line with best practice.
Should Do
Elton Lodge
The provider should ensure that people are engaged in meaningful activities with sufficient frequency, and review policies that discourage staff interaction during breaks if it benefits residents' engagement.
Should Do
Rosecroft Residential Care Home
The provider should consistently provide meaningful activity for people using the service.
Should Do
Quality Care Management Limited
The provider should seek current guidance, review the arrangements in place to ensure people are always supported to avoid social isolation, follow interests and take part in activities that are socially and culturally relevant to them and update their practice.
Should Do
Barton Park Nursing Home
The service reviews their process for recreational activities for people and takes action accordingly.
Should Do
Chiltern View
The provider must ensure people receive person-centred care, that care plans are followed, people's preferences are observed, and that people are not isolated and have meaningful engagement or occupation.
Must Do
Pinhoe View
The provider must ensure privacy frosting does not obscure patients view of the outdoors. This meant that did not have a direct link to the outside community.
Must Do
Eastside House
We recommend the service continue to review the range of activities taking place for people.
Should Do
Cymar House
We recommend the provider reviews their activity provision, in particular for people living with dementia, and implements best practice guidance in this area.
Should Do
We Can Recover CIC
The service should ensure there are enough activities for clients to minimise lethargy.
Should Do
The Elms
The provider should consider how they may better support people with activities that they wish to take part in and ensure that a consistent approach to this is maintained.
Should Do
Park Grange Care Home
The care plans we looked at did not contain sufficient information to help staff to provide person centred care and there were limited activities for people.
Must Do
The Warren Residential Lodge
it was not always clear whether people were aware of these [activities] or if the activities were always in line with people's preferences.
Should Do
The Warren Residential Lodge
Activities were available for people though some people were not always aware of these.
Should Do
Snowdrop Place Care Home
The provider should review best practice guidance related to care home environments to promote independence for people, including people living with dementia or disability.
Should Do
Snowdrop Place Care Home
The provider should review and implement all relevant best practice guidance in respect of care home environments to promote all people's independence.
Should Do
Eleanor House
The provider must take action to ensure there were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff available at all times. This was to ensure people who used the service were provided with appropriate meaningful opportunities for social interaction …
Must Do
Wayland (2023)
The IMB would recommend that prison management review the issue [loneliness] to examine other prisons’ experiences and, possibly, knowledge of how to address this issue successfully.
Governor / Director
Isle of Wight (2024)
Given the older prisoner demographic, could funds be allocated to enable the charity, Age UK, to attend on site and continue its valuable work in relation to prisoner welfare and dementia?
Governor / Director
Drake Hall (2020)
The prison should consider how to enhance the use of Purple Visits to ensure that family contact is optimised during the pandemic.
Governor / Director
Wayland (2021)
The Board’s findings that 35% of the prisoner community respondents felt that they could trust no other prisoner and of those who could trust others, an average of only three others suggests that there is an urgent need for more detailed research, and a strategic response then identified, to this situation (see section 4. Introduction).
Governor / Director
Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre (2021)
DET should immediately restore face-to-face contact by the engagement officers and systematically track its occurrence.
Home Office
Drake Hall (2021)
The Board looks forward to seeing an increase the number of social visits, pandemic permitting (see section 7.4).
Governor / Director
Durham (2022)
Social video calls have been reduced to one per month per prisoner. What can be done to increase access for those living out of area or from overseas (7.4.6)?
HMPPS
Thorn Cross (2023)
To provide mobile phone access for remote visits for those who would benefit (7.4.3).
HMPPS
Drake Hall (2023)
The Board would encourage identifying those women who are isolated from family and friends and creating a programme to support them.
Governor / Director
North West and Midlands STHF (2024)
Television for use by persons being detained is not available for persons in East Midlands airport (see section 2.3.2.2). Television can have a calming effect and distraction for persons being detained. The Board recommends that a television is fitted.
Home Office
North Sea Camp (2024)
To maintain family ties, consideration should be given to providing in-cell telephony. Prisoners often arrive from previous establishments where this is readily available, sometimes alongside restricted PC access.
HMPPS
Isle of Wight (2024)
Given the barriers to family social visits caused by the prison’s location, can the Governor maximise social video call opportunities by ensuring that monitors are available in each wing in Parkhurst? Also, could a review of any unmet needs and available technologies be undertaken with a view to increasing the number of daily and weekend social video call slots available?
Governor / Director
Altcourse (2024)
Is there any timescale for re-opening the creche in the visits hall?
Governor / Director
Wayland (2025)
This situation does give extra weight to proposals that either give longer for visits or additional facilities such as remote visiting. The Board would encourage such further initiatives.
Governor / Director
Wayland (2025)
Throughout the years of our surveys a significant number of respondents have been willing to say that they have indeed felt lonely in Wayland. The IMB would, therefore, ask if staff are aware of how lonely many prisoners are. Of course, the loneliness quotient may ebb and flow in any one person, but surely it must be a component of …
Governor / Director
The Mount (2025)
The Governor should introduce a trial to increase the number of family visits for enhanced prisoners to see if it is welcomed by prisoners and has the potential benefits in terms of their behaviour.
Governor / Director
Onley (2020)
The Prison Service should review its transfer policy for London and South-East prisoners to Onley, given poor transport links, to mitigate the severe impact on family visits and support stability and continuity.
HMPPS
Drake Hall (2020)
The Board is concerned about the impact of shielding on the long-term wellbeing and rehabilitation prospects of prisoners in the Truro unit.
Governor / Director
Brixton (2020)
the inadequate emphasis on maintaining family ties, especially in prisons like Brixton without in-cell telephony.
Other
Wayland (2021)
In the Board’s view, the expected benefit of ‘Purple Visits’ has not been fully realised due, prisoners have informed us, to the conditions imposed on relatives. It therefore urges the Prison Service to review these arrangements to find consumer-acceptable alternatives to face-to-face social and family visits (see section 7.4).
HMPPS
Thorn Cross (2021)
The staffing detail should be looked at to see how in person and virtual (phone and video) visits can be maintained.
Governor / Director
Dartmoor (2021)
Expand the Purple Visits system to the benefit of more prisoners and their families, given Dartmoor’s remote location.
Governor / Director
Brinsford (2021)
Visits need to return to pre-pandemic levels as soon as it is safe. Purple Visits have been useful and should be continued for any prisoners who cannot receive face-to-face visits.
Governor / Director
Wayland (2023)
The IMB suspects that this important contingent of a prisoner’s social life, and therefore his social health, is not given the attention it needs and would recommend that prison management review the issue to examine other prisons’ experiences and, possibly, knowledge of how to address this issue successfully.
Governor / Director
Belmarsh (2023)
Will HMPPS work with Belmarsh management to develop and implement a system of in-cell phones in HSU to allow prisoners privacy and access to their families and their legal teams?
HMPPS
Altcourse (2023)
What are the plans for improving the daily regime for prisoners, and in particular, when can they expect to eat their meals outside of their cells and in association with other prisoners?
Governor / Director
Stoke Heath (2024)
When will the Governor prioritise the need for more social video calls during weekends and evenings, for example, to allow prisoners to have contact with their families.
Governor / Director
Gatwick IRC (2024)
Revise lock-in times to provide the detained men more association time.
Home Office
Wayland (2025)
It might also be helpful if some training could be devised for operational staff to give them greater confidence in discussing this issue, say, within their key-working responsibilities. The Board would so recommend.
Governor / Director
Highpoint (2020)
The Board recommends that consideration is given to the continuation of purple visits (a secure video calling platform) after restrictions are lifted. This would provide an alternative means of family contact where distance makes visiting difficult. (See 7.4.3)
Governor / Director
Glasgow, Edinburgh and Larne House Short Term Holding Facilities (2020)
That the proposed partitioning at Larne House STHF does not prevent detainees from the opportunity to socialise, during the day. We have not, however, been informed about the timescale for this work. We ask that the work be appropriately planned with clear, transparent and realistic timelines and that this information is shared with the Board.
Governor / Director
Buckley Hall (2022)
Introduce a range of social activities during prisoners’ evening association.
Governor / Director
Ashfield (2022)
Can the Director consider reviving the highly successful AshFest?
Governor / Director
Ashfield (2022)
Can the Director consider reviving the prison magazine?
Governor / Director
Ashfield (2022)
Can the Director consider literacy related activities such as poetry reading, book club, etc?
Governor / Director
Stoke Heath (2024)
The Governor should prioritise the need for more social video calls during weekends and evenings, for example, to allow prisoners to have contact with their families.
Governor / Director
Hollesley Bay (2024)
The sensory garden adjacent to Samford unit is a welcome addition. The Board looks forward to its continuing development.
Governor / Director
Buckley Hall (2024)
Concerns have been raised about the restrictive timing of the social video calls, which impact on a family’s ability to utilise them.
Governor / Director
24-020-734 — Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: There was fault by the Council. It did not act soon enough to resolve Mrs X’s risk of social isolation when she had to live in part of a care home without other residents. Her son, Mr Y has acted on her behalf and this caused him distress. The …
LGO (Local Government & … Adult Care Services Upheld Dec 2025
24-014-830 — MML Finance Ltd
Summary: Mrs X complained that the care provider restricted her visiting hours to her mother-in-law. Based on current evidence the complaint will not be upheld. The care provider was entitled to limit the times for Mrs X’s visits.
LGO (Local Government & … Adult Care Services Not Upheld Apr 2025
22-001-008 — Bingley Wingfield Care Limited
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that a Care Home stopped Mr X’s visits to a relative. That is because there is insufficient evidence of fault in the Care Home’s actions to justify investigating.
LGO (Local Government & … Adult Care Services May 2022
22-002-358 — Derbyshire County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Mr X’s contact with his friend in a care home. This is because the Council have agreed to complete an assessment and further investigation would not lead to a different outcome.
LGO (Local Government & … Adult Care Services Jun 2022
24-005-899 — London Borough of Islington
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about his care placement. He says he is unhappy living there due to problems with another resident and the care provider. Mr X also complains the Council is ignoring his request to move. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault.
LGO (Local Government & … Adult Care Services Oct 2024
24-017-348 — City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s handling of her child’s Education, Health and Care Plan, which she said led to a loss of education and social isolation for her child. We found avoidable delay by the Council in completing the 2024 Annual Review of the Plan. The Council also …
LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Nov 2025
25-020-404 — Aria Healthcare Group LTD
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a care home declining to allow Mrs X to visit a resident. The resident is represented by her family and there is no evidence they or she wishes Mrs X to visit. Investigation would be unlikely to serve any worthwhile purpose.
LGO (Local Government & … Adult Care Services Nov 2025
24-021-776 — London Borough of Haringey
Summary: Miss X complains the Council failed to arrange a day centre placement for her son, Mr Y. She also complains about the Council’s poor communication. The Council failed to arrange a day centre placement for Mr Y after it was approved in April 2024 until March 2025. It then …
LGO (Local Government & … Adult Care Services Upheld Dec 2025
PSOW-202001667 — Denbighshire County Council
Mr D complained about the care and treatment that his late mother, Mrs M, received at Glan Clwyd Hospital and Llandudno General Hospital. He complained that: Clinicians failed to adequately investigate and appropriately treat Mrs M’s symptoms of abdominal pain, gastro-intestinal upset and weight loss which she developed following bowel …
PSOW (Public Services Om… Local Government Jul 2021
23-011-145 — East Sussex County Council
Summary: Miss X complained the Council failed to provide a suitable education for her son for the past four years causing distress and social isolation. The Council failed to provide any education provision from May 2023 to January 2024, wrongly requested Miss X put a review request in writing causing …
LGO (Local Government & … Education Upheld Apr 2024
24-008-236 — Surrey County Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a blue badge application. There is not enough evidence of fault to justify our involvement.
LGO (Local Government & … Adult Care Services Nov 2024
201300330 — Dunedin Canmore Housing Ltd
Ms C complained to the housing association about various types of antisocial behaviour by a neighbour. She complained that the association had failed to deal appropriately with her complaints and had unreasonably failed to carry out their promise to fix her neighbour’s flooring to limit household noise causing disturbance to …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Local Government Not Upheld Mar 2014
201205406 — Falkirk Council
Ms C, who is a solicitor, complained on behalf of her clients (Mr and Mrs A) that the council did not reasonably investigate reports of antisocial behaviour by a neighbour, who is a council tenant, and about whom there had been many other complaints. Ms C wrote to the council …
SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Local Government Not Upheld Mar 2014
25-009-946 — London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about adult social care at a day centre. This is because an Ombudsman investigation would be unlikely to lead to a different outcome and it is unlikely we would find any significant fault to justify our resource.
LGO (Local Government & … Adult Care Services Jan 2026
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