Daily Life and Social Activities

The intended outcomes for Standards 12 - 15 are:

Service users find the lifestyle experienced in the home matches their
expectations and preferences, and satisfies their social, cultural,
religious and recreational interests and needs.
 Service users maintain contact with family/ friends/ representatives and
the local community as they wish.
Service users are helped to exercise choice and control over their lives.
Service users receive a wholesome appealing balanced diet in pleasing
surroundings at times convenient to them.

The Commission considers all of the above key standards to be
inspected.

JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s):

People who use the service experience good outcomes in this area.
Peoples’ quality of life is enhanced by the opportunity to take part in a variety
of activities, they can enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle with good outside links
maintained and as much choice and control over all aspects of their lives as
their individual abilities allow. People enjoy a balanced and varied selection of
food to meet their tastes and choices.

This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to
this service.

EVIDENCE:

People who live in the home are able to choose from a number of activities.
Two activities coordinators are employed providing group and one to one
activities during the week. During the afternoon of the visit those who wished
to were enjoying potting up plants and baking cakes. One of the activities
coordinators was spoken to, it was good to see her enthusiasm and
commitment to promoting the welfare of residents. Records show every
resident is offered the opportunity to be involved in some form of activity
during the week.

It was unfortunate that individual biographical information had been removed
from care plans in the recent reorganisation of files, the manager reinstated
this information following the visit to ensure staff have better knowledge and
understanding of people’s social histories, interests and aspirations,
particularly where people are experiencing dementia.

People who were spoken with are happy with the flexibility the Home offers in
regard to meeting personal preferences. For example, what time they got up,
go to bed etc. It was of some concern however that staff had not finished
assisting people who need more help to get up until 12.30 on the day of the
visit. This was discussed with the manager who agreed to review staffing
levels and deployment arrangements to ensure no-one has to wait this long in
future. It was his view that this was unusual and he will be investigating the
reasons why this situation occurred.

People are happy with the manner in which their links with the local
community are maintained according to their wishes and take account of their
capabilities. During the visit a number of visitors were seen in the home, they
are clearly welcomed and are able to stay as long as they and the person they
are visiting wishes. The visitors book shows regular visits by families, friends
and others. People can meet with their visitors in various communal rooms or
in their bedrooms. Visitors described how they can visit at any reasonable
time and are always made welcome by staff. They also said they enjoyed the
social events that take place throughout the year such as strawberry teas and
cheese and wine evenings when they have an opportunity to meet staff and
management. The manager said he finds these events more useful than formal
residents’ meetings.

People are supported to manage their own affairs for as long as they wish and
are able.

People can be confident meals are nutritious and freshly prepared. A new cook
has been employed recently and people who were spoken to are very happy
with the quality of meals being provided. The cook favours home cooking and
baking. Menus are displayed in the dining room. Mealtimes are relaxed; staff
are patient and helpful and allow residents the time they need to finish their
meal comfortably. There are drinks in the lounges for residents and visitors to
have whenever they wish. Hot drinks and snacks are served throughout the
day.

 

 

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