Enter and View: Alexandra House, Ludlow

Healthwatch Shropshire undertook an Enter and View visit to Alexandra House, Ludlow on Tuesday 30th April 2019. The purpose of the visit was to make observations of the home environment and interactions between staff, residents and their families to understand their approach towards ‘person centred’ care. The home was registered to provide residential and respite care for 22 residents but had 20 at the time of visit, some of whom were living with dementia.

The report found the home had a pleasant, clean and welcoming atmosphere however, it did not have many adaptations for people living with dementia; the garden, bathrooms, carpets and signs to bathrooms and toilets were not dementia friendly in all areas; there were no clocks which showed the day, date and time; and one bedroom did not have the call bell adjacent to the bed. The residents and their relatives were very happy with the level of care received but the residents did not have a key named carer. There were activities for residents, but no printed programme was made available.

The report recommended refurbishing the carpets, toilets, garden and bathrooms in line with recommendations for people living with dementia; to consider improving access to the garden and making the garden area secure, installing clocks in communal areas that display the day, date and time and installing directional signs showing where the toilets or bathrooms are. It also asked to review the location of call bells in bedrooms to ensure they are close to the resident’s bed. The service providers responded to all the recommendations and ensured they would be met.