Why Evidence-Based Practice Matters in Care

By Greg Brown, Owner and Registered Manager, Home Instead Reigate & Tandridge

Why Evidence-Based Practice Matters in Care and Why It’s Worth It

In the world of home care, it’s easy to fall into the rhythm of routine, doing what’s always been done because it works. But to provide outstanding care, we must go proactively go beyond the familiar and embrace Evidence-Based Practice.

So, what is Evidence-Based Practice?

Put simply, it’s about using the best available evidence based on hard data to make decisions that improve care outcomes, tailored to each individual’s needs, and doing it with intention and transparency. As Community Care described back in 2017, it’s “using the best evidence you have about the most effective care of individuals, using it with the person’s best interests in mind, to the best of your ability and in such a way that it is clear to others that you are doing it to improve practice.”

This isn’t about conducting lab experiments or publishing in journals. It’s about looking at what really makes a difference to people’s lives, what helps them sleep better, feel safer, stay active, or simply smile more often.

A Real-World Example: The Caffeine-Free Trial

One of the most powerful examples we’ve seen recently was a first-of-its-kind trial in which several care homes, reduced caffeine intake among residents to see if it impacted health outcomes. The results were astonishing:

• 77% reduction in falls, supporting previous findings linking caffeine with impaired balance.
• 62% increase in sleep duration, with some residents gaining up to six more hours of sleep a night.
• 97% of staff chose to stay caffeine-free, citing better sleep and job satisfaction.
• Staff blood pressure and pulse rates normalised.
• Staff turnover dropped from 21% to just 9%.

We’ve shared this insight in our Care Professionals newsletter as a simple, practical step to consider. If you’re supporting a client who is experiencing disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, or is prone to falls, suggesting a switch to decaffeinated drinks could be a gentle intervention worth exploring. It’s a small change that, as the research suggests, could make a big difference.

A Culture of Innovation

At Home Instead Reigate & Tandridge, we are proud to be embedding research as part of our culture and work closely with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Our partnership allows us to participate in ground-breaking projects, from studies on isolation in older adults to improving discharge outcomes from hospitals.

We are also introducing simple ways for both clients and Care Professionals to get involved. During service reviews and appraisals, we ask whether they’d be open to participating in future research opportunities. Some are curious and that’s where positive change begins.

We closely follow developments in digital care tools, like electronic pain assessment systems that help detect discomfort in people with dementia. We stay informed so we can evaluate and implement the right innovations when we can.

Innovations don’t replace human care, they enhance it, helping our team make better decisions, faster.

The Role of Champions

One of the most effective ways to embed Evidence-Based Practice is by including and empowering staff. We consistently share opportunities to get involved in research and are in the process of rolling these opportunities out to our clients as well.

Why It’s Worth It

Real care is about outcomes such as better sleep, fewer falls, happier days, and safer nights. It’s about a son being able to move to Australia knowing his mum with early dementia is in the best possible hands, supported by people who care and backed by evidence, not guesswork.

It doesn’t have to be a big piece of research or study. It just needs to make a difference.

If you’re a care provider wondering whether it’s worth investing time in research or trying something new, let me be clear: it is.

And if you’re a Care Professional who wants to work somewhere that listens, learns, and leads with compassion, we’d love to hear from you. You can send your CV and cover letter to [email protected], or simply call 01737529793 for more information.