Keeping families connected and informed about care
Making the transition into care can be an emotionally-charged experience for all involved, particularly if it means taking a step back from directly caring for a loved one.
People often find that one of the hardest things to accept, is no longer having minute-by-minute knowledge of their loved one’s health and wellbeing, whilst learning to trust others to administer medication and provide the care that their loved one needs.
Staying connected around the clock
Digital care planning can make a massive difference; providing live information about an individual’s health, wellbeing and activities, which can be accessed around-the-clock.
It is for this reason that all care homes across the award-winning Somerset Care Group use a platform called the Nourish Family Portal, to supplement regular care planning meetings with residents and family members. Nourish is a user-friendly way for eligible family members to access real-time care plans, and view details such as fluid and nutrition intake, and night-time checks, keeping them informed about the things which matter most to them.
Access to this live information – which Somerset Care includes as standard with all residential care – can provide much-needed reassurance for family members, particularly if they are not able to visit often, or live far away.
Reassurance from near or far
Vicki’s Dad is a resident at Cooksons Court nursing home in Yeovil, and explains what access to her Dad’s real-time care plans means to her:
“My Dad, Peter, now resides at Cooksons Court in Yeovil.
“He has been there since April 2025 and I was fortunate enough to visit him from Australia in November 2025. Dad took a few falls before he went to Cooksons and was living on his own. My brother and I felt it was time to find the ‘right’ care home for him that was also close by to where my brother lives.
“As I live in Australia, it is sometimes very hard to know what is going on, especially now that Dad is getting more forgetful and confused. The time difference can be challenging for him also, and we often chat in the early hours of the morning.
“When I arrived at Cooksons Court, it just felt right. The staff and carers welcomed me and gave me the space to be with Dad and join in the daily activities. It was so comforting to see firsthand how the residents were looked after. The Registered Manager, Kristie, also made sure that I could access the Nourish Portal while I was there.
“By having access to this portal, I can now see what Dad gets up to each day; who administers his medication; what activities he joins in; how he interacts with the other residents; what food he is given and how often he is checked on.
“It is such a relief for me to review this every morning and night. I can also have conversations with Dad about the activities which he sometimes forgets.
“I cannot recommend this enough for family members like myself who live so far away and even for those that are close by.
“Having the reassurance of knowing what is happening with Dad and that he is so well looked after and safe, is a great comfort.”
Keep in touch with your loved one's care
All of Somerset Care’s 22 not-for-profit care homes offer digital access to person-centred care plans for eligible family members as standard.Please click on the buttons below, or call our expert care advisors on 0800 8174 925, to find out more about the person-centred care available at Cooksons Court and across the Somerset Care Group.
