Enter and View: Dovecote Manor care home

The purpose of this Enter and View programme was to engage with residents, their relatives, or carers, to explore their overall experience of living in Dovecote Manor Care Home. As well as building a picture of their general experience, we asked about experiences in relation to social isolation and physical activity.

Summary

Dovecote Manor is a purpose-built care home, registered to provide nursing and personal care for up to 43 residents. At the time of our visit, there were 42 residents living at the home. The home caters for older people with dementia, sensory impairment and/ or physical disability.

What we found

All staff interactions with residents were observed to be kind, patient and positive. We noted that staff knocked and announced themselves audibly, ensuring residents knew who they were and why they wanted to enter the person’s room. We were pleased to see that the staff members waited for a response before entering, chatting with residents and giving reassurance whilst close to them. Residents appeared to be happy to see each staff member and were seen to be smiling and happily chatting with them. The family members we spoke to were very complimentary about the care provided by staff.

Since our last visit to Dovecote Manor, the hours of the lifestyle coordinator have been significantly increased to 45 hours a week. The lifestyle coordinator has developed a full range of activities for residents which are clearly displayed for residents and their families to see and plan their days around.

What people told us:

"Mother likes being out of her room, deaf and immobile but staff have her in the lounge most days."

Our recommendations include:

• Investigate the dilution ratio of the cleaning solution being trialled as this maybe contributing to the odour and the ‘sticky’ unpleasant friction on the floors in the home.
• Check the condition of the handrails throughout the home, as there are areas which have rough or uneven areas that could be dangerous to fragile skin. 

We found these examples of best practice:

• The introduction of ‘Meaningful Moments’ is a great initiative which should reduce feeling of isolation or loneliness among residents.
• Clearly displayed principles of the Mental Capacity Act mean that all staff have access to a quick reference guide.
• The introduction of high contrast dinnerware supports good nutrition and hydration.