Enter and view: Ivy Bank House
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Healthwatch Bath and North East Somerset visited Ivy Bank House on 23 August 2017.
It was clear to Healthwatch Bath and North East Somerset representatives that residents are happy at the home, most of their needs are catered for and the resident to whom Healthwatch Bath and North East Somerset spoke found staff very caring and accommodating.
Representatives had a good first impression of the care home which is well decorated and spotlessly clean; the domestic staff we spoke to took pride in keeping the home looking nice. The communal rooms have a variety of seating with both chairs and settees and there were homely touches such as the LED light tree and coffee tables.
There are a range of activities and trips and representatives expressed whether some residents might like some meaningful activities of daily living to encourage independence and social interaction. This was already being suggested by the manager with ideas from the residents for ‘their’ garden with raised beds and a gardening club to agree layout and colour combination of the garden. This might be extended into meaningful activities in ‘their’ home life such as sorting laundry to ensure people get their own laundry back after washing, or laying tables.
Healthwatch Bath and North East Somerset highlighted it was good to see that residents have independent access to the garden, and residents told Healthwatch Bath and North East Somerset that they liked to stroll in the garden for exercise.
The security measures were discreet on the front door and a welcoming reception and signing-in book helped this. Having large clocks around the care home remind residents of the time of day and there were calendars in some areas. Healthwatch Bath and North East Somerset did hear from one residents that they would like access to their own money, which could give greater independence, and from another that he was lonely. This had already been addressed using a volunteer befriender from Age UK.
The report includes 6 recommendations and does not include a response from the provider.