Does your care home have one, two or even a fleet of vehicles to help your residents and staff get out and about? Having access to a minibus, MPV or even several cars can help with a wide range of logistics, from taking people to medical appointments to going shopping; running errands to organising day trips. Mobility scooters and wheelchairs help residents with mobility issues move around the home independently. This helps to protect their physical and mental wellbeing, as well as freeing up staff to support residents in other ways during the day and night.
However, it’s all very well having access to these essential vehicles and mobility aids, but if they are not maintained and kept in good working order, they can cause more problems than they solve. This is especially true in the winter and early spring months, when the weather can be damp and the roads still slippery from rain or frosts lingering on into early spring. Here are some ways to keep the vehicles at your care home in tip top condition this spring.
Minibuses, MPVs and cars
All vehicles driven by staff, or that are used to provide services to residents and the wider care home community must be regularly maintained and kept in a roadworthy state. They should have a written maintenance schedule and paperwork proving that they have been serviced and looked after according to the manufacturer’s instructions in order to pass the annual MOT.
In addition to this, minibus and MPV drivers should carry out safety checks before driving on care home business. This include checks on oil, water and fuel levels (or electric charge for EVs), visual checks on windscreen wipers, warning lights and tyres and tests on brakes, lights and any passenger lifts or mobility aids to confirm all is working as required. Keep vehicles clean (especially the windows) and free from debris and clutter inside for a more enjoyable experience for passengers and driver alike. Never overload the vehicle and always ensure everyone travelling in it has their seatbelt on before setting off.
Mobility scooters
Keeping mobility scooters clean and free from debris is a vital job that doesn’t take up too much time if it is attended to regularly. After use, wipe the scooter down with a damp cloth to clear away any dirt and dislodge small materials which might have become trapped in the wheels or mechanisms, such as gravel or twigs. Give the underside of the scooter a good clean too, as this is where grime can build up unnoticed.
Always charge the battery according to the manufacturer’s instructions and avoid letting it completely drain of power. Regularly check the tyres and brakes for signs of wear and tear and replace as required to keep the scooters working safely. Store indoors if possible when not in use, or at least out of direct sunlight and under a rainproof cover.
Electric and manual wheelchairs
As with any other mobility aid or ‘vehicle’, wheelchairs should be regularly checked to make sure they are in good working order. Areas to pay particular attention to include the wheels and tyre pressure, brakes and steering mechanism, footrest and upholstered seating area (e.g. rips, tears or stains in the fabric or padding). Keep the chair frame clean too, and free from debris that could get inside the moving parts and cause damage.
Do a routine check on which wheelchairs you have in the care home and how well they are serving the care residents who need them. Do you need to upgrade any manual chairs to electric versions? Have you got any chairs that could be replaced for newer, bigger or more modern versions, subject to available funds? If you need to take them out and about, are they light enough for staff to be able to lift them into a minibus or car boot and back out again?
General vehicle driving tips
Keep on top of the paperwork when it comes to things like MOTs, insurance, road tax and driving licence checks. Care Vision can help with this, via its meticulous planning and recording tools. The system can also help you ensure your staff are up-to-date on their training around safe driving, manual lifting, mobile phone use, reporting vehicle faults, breakdown protocols and other tasks associated with using the vehicles at your disposal. Ensure that staff comply with driving regulations around working hours, risk assessments and never driving under the influence of alcohol, medication or drugs, or when feeling unwell or fatigued. Carry emergency equipment and supplies, such as a first aid kit, water, fully charged mobile phone, high vis vest, torch and fire extinguisher.