Enter and view: Avalon Court Care Centre

Healthwatch Coventry carried out an announced enter and view visit to look at quality of life factors for residents in this care home.

Information was gathered by speaking to 9 of the 52 residents, 7 members of staff and 3 visitors. 

This was a new building to accommodate 107 residents over 4 floors, including some who had dementia and some occupying a rehabilitation (short stay) floor.

Staff told us that they were happy, the home is well managed. The Home Manager told us that they have found Avery Care to be "supportive and good to work for". Healthwatch Authorised Representatives thought this was a secure, spacious and attractive home offering person centred care and plenty of activities. Residents were happy and comfortable.

Five recommendations were made and a response was received from the manager

1. All taps, especially on the "memory floor" should be clearly labelled "hot and cold" to enable those with dementia to use the bathrooms more independently. Page 12 of 14 2. Give consideration to ways of providing covers for mirrors on the "memory floor". Some people with dementia can become upset by mirrors or feel uncomfortable due to their confusion. 3. One resident mentioned that their TV could not be adjusted properly and was too high. We would recommend that this is looked at in all of the rooms to ensure that televisions are at a suitable height and can be properly adjusted. 4. Our Authorised Reps felt that there was a potential health and safety risk when tea-pots were on the tables and would recommend that the staff do not leave hot tea-pots on the tables on the "memory floor" 5. Whilst the home is under occupied, there is scope for staff from different floors to be moved around if other areas are short of staff, to reduce the need for bringing in agency staff who are not familiar with the residents.