Benefits of Decaffeination for Residents and Care Staff Alike: Our new edition of our Decaffeination Series

A further study highlights the significant benefits of caffeine reduction for care home residents and staff alike

Care England, the leading voice for adult social care providers, in partnership with Bramley Court Care Home, Histon, Cambridgeshire has released the latest findings from the third study, highlighting the remarkable advantages of a decaffeination approach in dementia care settings and the impact on care staff. Conducted at the Outstanding-rated Bramley Court Care Home, the trial provides compelling evidence that reducing caffeine consumption among both residents and staff enhances wellbeing, reduces falls, and fosters a more supportive care environment.

Despite the well-documented effects of caffeine on sleep, agitation, and fall prevention, its role in care homes is the gift which keeps giving. Inspired by previous studies and expert recommendations, Bramley Court implemented a decaffeination trial, tracking its impact on resident behaviour, sleep quality, staff wellbeing, and overall care dynamics, and whilst delivering exceptional results in keeping with the two earlier Stow Healthcare and Cornerstone studies for residents, also saw a positive impact on the workforce. Residents were given the choice to opt-out or not participate at any time throughout the choice.

Key findings from the study include:

• 77% reduction in resident falls, reinforcing previous research linking caffeine reduction with enhanced stability and mobility.
• 97% of staff chose to remain caffeine-free after the trial reporting improvements in sleep quality and job satisfaction.
• 62% increase in sleep duration, with some residents gaining up to six additional hours of rest per night.
• Complete elimination of resident-to-resident
• Significant reduction in staff turnover, with attrition dropping from 21% pre-trial to just 9% post-trial over a six-month period.
• altercations within the dementia community.
• Staff blood pressure and pulse rates returning to normal levels.

This trial’s success highlights the importance of decaffeination as a critical element in holistic dementia care strategies. Given the overwhelmingly positive outcomes for both residents and staff, Care England is advocating for the broader adoption of caffeine reduction initiatives across care homes nationwide

The study also observed that the care home environment became calmer and more restorative, allowing staff to focus on meaningful, quality interactions with residents. Staff noticed more time for residents to do holistic wellbeing, including Namaste sessions, group exercise, and musical interventions.

Given these compelling results, alongside the previous findings from Stow Healthcare and Cornerstone, this report strongly recommends wider adoption of a ‘decaf by default’ model across care settings. By prioritising proactive, evidence-based interventions, care homes can enhance both resident and staff wellbeing, ultimately fostering a more supportive and health-conscious environment for all.

For more information, contact policy@careengland.org.uk or visit https://www.careengland.org.uk/decaf/

Read the Press Release here

Read the full report here