Enter and view: Tithe Farm

Healthwatch Bucks conducted an Enter and View visit to Tithe Farm Care Home, in October 2017, as part of their role to make sure that the residents are treated with dignity and respect. The home was informed two weeks in advance about the visit, but they were not told the exact time or date. The Healthwatch team talked to 2 members of staff, 2 visitors and 2 residents. They observed 12 residents and 6 members of staff. The team were warmly welcomed and immediately observed great interaction between the staff and the residents. The staff were very attentive to the residents’ needs and requests.

The team observed how the residents’ personal choice was considered when serving meals and drinks and there seemed to be room for improvement in giving more choice in food and how it is served. The communal areas were comfortable and well decorated, although the dining room appeared a little "tired". Residents personalised their rooms with pictures and photos. Visitors regularly visit and one resident keeps her much loved cats in her bedroom. Healthwatch Bucks were told that residents were taken out in the garden if they wished and that some trips out were arranged, although the carer spoken to did not know the specifics of any trips. These trips were normally arranged by the activity coordinator.

Healthwatch Bucks recommend that:

• Tithe Farm try to incorporate dementia friendly pictorial signage for rooms.

• Create a simple pictorial menu for residents to choose from and consider putting fruit on the tables in the communal areas making it more accessible than the position it is in now.

• Place a large-scale activity board to be in a position where residents can see what activities are upcoming.

• Make the games and books more accessible so residents can request to use them.

• Create and/or invest in dementia friendly display boards on walls, fidget cuffs and reminiscence boxes (available to be borrowed from Bucks Libraries).

• Encourage staff to engage more in one to one activities with residents and consider bringing in outside organisations to carry out activities.

• Serve water with lunch.

The service provider responded saying photographs are now placed on a wall were residents can see them. They also informed Healthwatch that outside activities do take part within Tithe Farm such as Yoga, Singers and Production Shows. Residents also go out to Garden Centres, Local Schools to hear children sing and watch cricket at our local club.