Enter and view: The Firs

Healthwatch Worcestershire did an announced Enter and View visit to the Firs, a home providing care and accommodation for residents with Dementia, on 3rd December 2015.

The Healthwatch team spoke to the Manager and Activities Coordinator and had structured conversations with 6 consenting residents and spoke informally with other residents who were present. The Firs has several communal areas. It was a small but busy place with several resources available for the residents to remain active. including books, rummage boxes, wall displays of photos and artwork, and sensory resources. We saw that each resident has an ‘About Me’ board, which gives information about their likes, dislikes and preferences and is updated to reflect their needs. The residents had access to massages, foot spas and other sensory and therapeutic activities especially residents who are unable to leave their rooms. The hall had been adapted into a library area, and there was a room for residents to get their hair done.

The report comments that staff were engaging in a warm and compassionate manner with the residents. Relatives meetings take place 4 times a year and friends and families are invited to take part in activities.

The Healthwatch team recommended that the home be more flexible in the morning, giving the residents choice in what time they get up. The quiet room should be made more attractive to residents due to the very busy nature of the home. The residents should also be supported in making their own tea and coffee, as some residents said they would like to do this. The upstairs bedrooms should be made more accessible, so residents do not have to ask permission every time they want to go to their rooms. The provider has responded with comments to each of these queries.