Enter and View: Castlemead Court 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 Csstlemead Court 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

Castlemead Court is registered to provide accommodation for up to 79 people requiring nursing or personal care. At the time of our visit there were 73 residents at the home. 

What we found

The residents and families we engaged with said they felt safe and well cared for. They said were sure that if they needed anything staff would help them. The interactions we observed during our visit were all positive and we were told that staff were always kind and respectful.

The wellbeing coordinator is very organised and..Activities are planned well in advance, and many involve the family and the local  community as well.

There is also a ‘pub’ – the Castlemead Arms – on the first floor of the home where residents can partake of a beverage. While it is small, it allows residents more choice in where and how they like to socialise.

For those residents who either cannot, or choose not, to leave their room, Castlemead Court has the ‘Bedside Buddies’ scheme which provides company and activities in people’s rooms. Family and friends can visit at almost any time of day. 

What people told us:

“Carers are good”.

“Happy here, being looked after well.”

“Carers are nice.”

” Most carers very good."

Our recommendations include:

• Look at the reasons staff are not offering showers and baths to residents on a more regular basis. Staff may be unaware that some residents would prefer these.
• Consider ways of improving offering for diabetics for snacks and coffee mornings & afternoon teas to be more inclusive. 

We found these examples of best practice:

• Bedside Buddies, a person centred one to one time spent with residents doing activities 
  chosen by residents.
• Proactive involvement of the community in activities with the care home for residents 
  and families.