Elderly even choose the carpet at 'outstanding' care home that's like a hotel

Care inspectors have praised staff at the 'outstanding' care home Coombe Hill Manor for giving residents decision-making powers, right down to carpet choice.

The care home Coombe Hill Manor in Kingston Upon Thames has been rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Sonya Fenwick, general manager at the care home said: ”This is the residents' home and we have the privilege to share this time with them.

"We advocate independence and encourage residents to be involved in all aspect of the home, even down to choosing the carpet.

“We have a free flow of ideas from staff and feedback from the residents."

Inspectors noted how residents assessed as ‘willing and capable’ were encouraged by staff to manage their own medication. Inspectors stated: 'We saw people had a designated lockable space in their rooms where they could keep their prescribed medicines.'

'They held the doll gently...the person ate their meal without distress'

Care inspectors noticed how residents’ dementia dolls are also treated with care and compassion. In its latest report, (published 9 February), the CQC highlighted the care and consideration staff at Coombe Hill Manor showed towards dementia dolls which had been given to comfort residents living with Alzheimer’s.

Inspectors observed two people 'carrying dolls of babies which they were looking after and taking great comfort from.

'We watched a staff member offering to look after the baby whilst the person ate their lunch.

'They held the doll gently and reassured the person that they were looking after it with the outcome that the person ate their meal without distress.'

The care home is run by the care group Signature Senior Lifestyle. In January this year, 1,324 care and nursing homes were inspected by the CQC, with only three per cent achieving the highest rating of 'outstanding'.

CQC inspectors noted residents and their relatives were consistently saying staff were 'very respectful, kind and caring'. A daughter of one resident said: “From the moment my mother arrived in November 2015, she was looked after amazingly. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly and nothing was too much trouble.“

If a resident dies, staff stand guard 'as a silent sign of respect'

Coombe Hill Manor has recently been awarded ‘Beacon Status’ by the training provider The National Gold Standards Framework (GSF). This voluntary accreditation in end of life care enables frontline staff to provide a ‘gold standard’ of care for people nearing the end of their life.

Care inspectors described “a strong emphasis on ensuring compassion, dignity and respect at the end of a person’s life”.

When a resident dies, their photograph is displayed, with the consent of the family, close to the entrance of the care home. When the undertakers arrive, they are escorted by a staff member to the room of the deceased person to collect them.

Inspectors observed a staff member support the family and walk with them out of the home while 'staff stood guard as a silent sign of respect with a favourite song playing as the person then left the home for good'.

A relative told inspectors: "I would say that this home gave my father a sanctuary in which to make the most of the last two and a half years of his life and gave them an environment of dignity and respect until, and beyond, their final breath. I cannot commend them to you highly enough."

Coombe Hill care home has a cinema, library, café, bistro, therapy room and specific rooms where couples can remain together.

One resident said: “I describe Coombe Hill to friends as 'on a par with a 5-star hotel' for its ambience, quality of facilities and the warm welcome I always receive from staff.”

click here for more details or to contact Signature Coombe Hill Manor