Leah Lodge Enter & View Report

Some Interview Responses:

Management

• Management are praising of staff for their passion, and appreciate the freedom and support given by the management company – ‘Cinnamon’.
• Families can visit ‘at any time’ without the need to book, with remote ‘facetime’ sessions supported. At end of life, families may stay overnight.
• A RAG (Red, Amber, Green) system is used to monitor nutrition, with special dietary requirements – such as pureed food catered for. Dieticians are consulted on menus, which are changed seasonally. We are told that the dietary shakes are made in-house, not shop bought.

Staff 

• Staff tell us that colleagues are welcoming and supportive on the whole, with good levels of teamwork, and additional support for newer staff members – enabling them to settle quickly. A ‘warm atmosphere’ is described, with staff frequently going ‘above and beyond’ the typical expectations of their role.
• Staff incentives include free meals and use of the laundry facilities, plus vouchers.
• Training undertaken includes dementia awareness, falls, nutrition, moving and handling and fire procedure, with a mix of in-person and remote sessions cited. The staff members we spoke with are aware of the procedures on reporting accidents and safeguarding.

Family/Friends

• On the whole, family members are very positive about the care their loved ones receive at Leah Lodge. According to feedback, care is generally delivered with ‘love and affection’ and privacy – such as knocking before entering is respected.
• Some DNAR (Do Not Attempt Resuscitation) orders are in place and the home has been proactive in raising this as a topic.
• A pleasant environment is described, with ‘teamwork’ by staff and relatives resulting in a positive, ‘community spirit’ around the home. Staff are commented to be intuitive and keen to involve relatives, with more formal ‘hand-hold’ meetings also available.
• It is suggested that the range of activities on offer is not always sufficient, especially for male residents. Wider use of the garden, and more music related sessions are desired by some.

Residents

• To establish personal preferences, staff initially engage with families on history, likes and dislikes. Meeting cultural needs of the residents, can be demonstrated through making special meals, playing traditional ethnic music, and using translation services and techniques to assist with meals, bathing, and other support. Residents who are religious are supported to attend church.
• Residents are able to make decisions – such as what to wear and are asked what they like. They are also prompted with music and pictures

Some Findings:

• The home is advertised as a 'refurbished, boutique care home' and this was reflected at our visit – amenities appeared luxurious.
• Staff say that bedbound relatives receive one-to-one company, and all staff carry a pouch containing snacks, cards, feathers and small gadgets – to aide if distractions are needed.
• The home was found to be dementia-friendly, with varying colours and contrasts, clear pictorial signage, use of bold lettering and personal touches.
• Staff say they routinely voice concerns and feedback to families.

Some Suggested Recommendations:

• A structured forum for staff to voice their concerns - and in a way that is supportive, non-judgemental, and transparent.
• Wider use of garden and increasing music activities and those targeted towards male residents.
• Offering a varied time for the family meetings including evenings to make them more inclusive for those with daytime commitments.

For a full detailed report and responses to recommendations, please use the download links below.