Meadow View Care Home Castleton, Rochdale Enter & View Report
The listed categories of care support that the home can accommodate includes older persons (65+), Dementia, Eating Disorders, Learning Disabilities, and Respite Care. The Home was identified for a visit as it was noted that Meadow View now has a registered manager and there have been improvements since the CQC visit, particularly around dementia Care.
Healthwatch Rochdale visited The Meadow Care Home on Monday 23rd September 2024 as part of a programme of announced Enter and View visits to care homes in the Rochdale borough. The home was notified of our visit in advance by letter and by email. The manager was given a two-week time frame and informed that the visit could take place at any time within that time frame.
Recommendations
The findings in this report are based on nine care quality indicators. The Enter and View visit identified the following areas of improvement and recommend:
1. Reception Room: Improve the appearance of the reception room and consider a revamp of this area to improve the initial impression the home makes to visitors and potential new residents and families.
2. Activities programme: On our visit there were limited activities observed involving one resident and nothing taking place in accordance with the activities board timetable. We recommend that activities for residents are reviewed to ensure there are increased activities and support/encouragement for residents to take part each day in the home. For example, consider introducing more visits outside the home and tailored dementia-friendly activities such as memory boxes, music therapy and art and craft sessions.
3. Fire Safety Measures. There was a lack of fire extinguishers. We recommend a health and safety review to add fire extinguishers in areas like the proposed office space. To evaluate fire safety on the first floor, particularly, to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
4. Garden Accessibility and Maintenance. We recommend fixing the uneven terrain in the garden to improve accessibility for residents with mobility challenges. To also consider adding pathways or support features to enable safe and enjoyable outdoor experiences. The garden fencing to be repaired as soon as possible.
5. Signs internal and external. We recommend using standardised signage both inside and outside the premises. and décor.
6. Staff Board. We recommend that the staff board is regularly updated with current photographs, names, and roles of all staff members to help residents and visitors identify staff more easily . Ensure all staff are signed in, or out, via it.
7. Dementia friendly décor. We recommend using more consistent colours to differentiate between rooms (e.g. the toilets) when planning the next redecoration programme.
8. Improve feedback mechanisms. We recommend reviewing the engagement and involvement of the staff team in all relevant aspects of how the home is run. To consider ways in which can address and communicate any progress and outcomes of concerns and issues raised and feedback received.
9. Use of air fresheners. We recommend using alternative, more environmentally friendly ways to freshen the smell of the home rather than aerosol canned freshener.
10. Spiritual needs of residents. We recommend reinstating pastoral visits from local churches to meet the religious needs of current residents