Archived: Riverside Mews Residential Home

A detailed assessment of people's needs was completed prior to admission to the home and personalised care plans were developed using this information. This meant staff had all the information they required to provide individualised care for people with dementia. It also enabled staff to be able to recognise any changes in the person's presentation or behaviours.

We found specific training relating to dignity in care was provided for staff. Staff were knowledgeable about how they could support people to maintain their dignity when assisting with personal care. A health professional confirmed that people's privacy and dignity was maintained and commented, 'In my experience the people with dementia in this home are treated with compassion, dignity and respect.'

The staff worked well with other agencies and were proactive in ensuring that people with dementia received all the care and support they required from the appropriate agency. People were supported if they required hospital admission and information was provided to hospital staff to assist them to care for the person with dementia.

The manager had good systems in place to monitor the quality of the care provided and to ensure that people with dementia had their views heard. We found the manager monitored the quality of care provided and there were good risk management processes in place. People told us they were satisfied with the care provided in the home. Comments included, 'Everything I have seen here shows good quality care" and 'Person centred care appears to underpin the management of the staff and care provided.'

The environment had been developed in line with some of the best practice guidance for people with dementia. For example, to enable people to find their way around the home and encourage independence, toilets were easily distinguishable as clear signs had been used in picture format. The home was being refurbished and extended at the time of the inspection.

People told us they were well cared for and they said the staff were very supportive. One person said 'If you are poorly they stay with you.' We found that detailed care plans had been developed following an assessment of people's care needs and these were regularly evaluated and had been updated where needs had changed.

People told us that they felt safe living in the home and would feel comfortable speaking to staff if they had any concerns. They were very complimentary about the staff, they told us "The staff are wonderful and understanding" "All the staff are lovely" and "They are very good to me."