| 6.1 |
Relatives should continue
to be consulted about the needs of individuals entering
nursing and residential homes. This partnership between
relatives and staff, should develop through involving
relatives in subsequent decisions. |
| 6.2 |
Greater emphasis on individualised
care is required, to cater for differing needs and abilities. |
| 6.3 |
Residents should be taken
to the toilet as required and call buzzers should be
answered immediately. |
| 6.4 |
Homes should arrange
for residents to be able to choose staff of their own
gender for assistance with intimate functions, if they
wish. |
| 6.5 |
Homes should ensure that
residents' clothes are laundered correctly and as often
as necessary. Clothes should always be returned to the
appropriate resident. |
| 6.6 |
Homes should continue
to encourage relatives to visit. Sensitive visiting
schemes, involving, for example, schools or churches,
should be developed to prevent residents who have no
family or friends becoming isolated from life outside
the Home. |
| 6.7 |
Activity programmes should
be provided in all Homes. These programmes should provide
varied activity and stimulation for all residents. Involvement
of relatives should be encouraged. An activity therapist
or a member of staff should be nominated to undertake
the development of an activity programme. |
| 6.8 |
Staffing levels should
be appropriate at all times. Perceived staff shortages
and high turnover can reduce relatives' satisfaction
with care provided. Lack of continuity in staff may
result in residents' needs not being met, or social
interactions developing. |
| 6.9 |
Where possible, the use
of agency staff should be kept to a minimum. |
| 6.10 |
Satisfaction with the
food service could be improved by serving hot meals
at an adequate temperature, ensuring there is a variety
of meals, and improving the presentation of meals, particularly
pureed and soft meals. |
| 6.11 |
Residents who require
encouragement to eat should receive this assistance. |
| 6.12 |
Efforts should be taken
to ensure the Home smells fresh and is clean at all
times. |
| 6.13 |
Relatives and residents
should be made aware of how to make suggestions or express
dissatisfaction about the Home. The establishment of
a residents' and relatives' group should be promoted.
A copy of the Home's complaints procedure, including
details of whom to approach, should be given to all
relatives. |
| 6.14 |
Next-of-kin details should
be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure they are accurate.
Changes of address or contact details should be noted
as appropriate. |
