Dolly Parton tops residents' playlists at 'outstanding' care home

Dolly Parton and Frank Sinatra are firm favourites of residents at an ‘outstanding’ care home in Wimbledon, where each resident has their own personalised playlist to listen to on an ipod or ipad.

Other popular songs on their personalised playlists include war-time songs as well as choirs, French and Italian songs and nature sounds.

Arthur House care home has been rated ‘outstanding’ overall by the Care Quality Commission, with inspectors commenting that people are supported to live an “active and fulfilling life at Arthur House”.

They added that the activities coordinator seeks “creative ways to stimulate and engage people” with residents telling inspectors that the care home is “lovely and clean and has a friendly atmosphere” and that staff are “very kind to people”.

Members of staff use plants and herbs from the home’s own garden to stimulate residents’ senses and to remind them of positive memories.

Nicholas Kee Mew, manager of the home, said: “This has been a great year for Arthur House. We have already won carehome.co.uk’s Top 20 recommended care homes in London award 2017 and have just been nominated for the Merton’s Best Business Awards.

“However, it always has a special feeling to be commended so highly by the CQC. I love working with our residents and my passion for the work I do will continue to grow.”

Listening to residents, relatives and staff is a core ethos of the home, with inspectors saying: “The registered manager continuously sought ways the service could be improved and involved people and staff in discussions about how this could be achieved.”

The CQC also praised the use of meetings to get residents’ perspectives.

Residents said staff at the home “listen to you. They do things you ask and help out all the time.” Another resident said, “I like them. They are very kind and good at listening and reassuring.”

Arthur House gets involved with awareness days and local community events. During Nutrition and Hydration Week in March, the chef made residents healthy milkshakes and smoothies and on Chinese New Year, he prepared Asian cuisine.

James Willis, chief executive of Priory Adult Care, called it a "wonderful achievement to be rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC. Everyone associated with the home deserves this fantastic accolade".

Arthur House is managed by Priory Adult Care, a new division within the Priory Group, which was formed in April from bringing together two Priory adult care divisions, Craegmoor and Amore Care. The home supports people with dementia and is located in Wimbledon, South West London.

• Arthur House care home has now closed.